If you’re not feeling the joy of the Christmas season or your emotions are complex, then perhaps this sermon is something you need to hear. Pastor Kate reflects on the mixed emotions that accompanied the Israelites’ return from exile almost 1500 years ago as well as that hope and grief are often interconnected.
Accompanying Scripture:
Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13, Luke 2:25-32
In this second week of Advent, Intern Pastor Miriam explores our human fragility. Like grass, a mere puff of wind or a tiny bump on the path of life can knock us over. Like the baby whose birth we are awaiting, we are fragile. But God and God’s promise of love are firm and unshakable. We hear the Word of God that stands strong forever, ready to comfort us always.
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 40:1-11
Guest Pastor Aaron Fuller discusses the hope that comes with the first day of Advent.
Accompanying Scripture:
Mark 8:27-29
The holidays bring out stress in interesting ways. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam reflects on the woes and benefits of holiday cleaning, and considers how King Josiah’s deep-clean of the temple brought the people into a closer, more committed, relationship with God.
Accompanying Scripture:
2nd Kings 22:1-20; 23:1-3
Not all love songs end well. Even for God. Pastor Kate explores how God’s love song early in Isaiah didn’t end well in spite of God’s best preparation and how that relates to our lives as flawed, broken people. Thankfully, God’s story and our story doesn’t end there. Listen to see what God does.
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 5: 1-7; 11: 1-5, Mark 12: 1-3
When faced with the demands of the world, we often struggle to put our trust in God. But God is a loving God, and God forgives us and calls us beloved children over and over again.
Accompanying Scripture:
Hosea 11: 1-9; Mark 10: 13-14
This past post-season, Pastor Kate felt torn between wanting to believe the Nationals would win it all but also thinking they’d probably lose. This is very similar to the Israelite people who were torn between worshiping both Baal and God. Pastor Kate explores what that looks like for us today.
Accompanying Scripture:
1 Kings 18:17-19; 20-39, Mark 9:2-4
We are often reminded that God is present and is with us, but we don’t always talk about how God is present. This week IP Miriam reflects on reunification, the work of God through us, and God’s invitation to celebrate the presence of God ever with us.
Accompanying Scripture:
2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5; Psalm 150; Mark 11:8-10
Shrek, the comforts of familiarity, and Ruth: This week Intern Pastor Miriam contemplates how we can sometimes find ourselves getting a little too comfortable, and how the story of Ruth and Naomi challenges us to take risks, care for others, and trust in God’s promise to always go where we go.
Accompanying Scripture:
Ruth 1:1-17
When we’re kids and sometimes when we are adults, we think of rules as things to limit our fun, our independence, and our freedom. But often rules are meant to protect us and actually provide us with more freedom. Listen as Pastor Kate explores the role of rules, particularly the 10 Commandments, in our lives.
Accompanying Scripture:
Mark 12: 28-31
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