Jesus’ unwavering, intentional, knowing response to those who are faithful and to those who betray him, to hatred, danger, and fear–to everything–is love.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 51:7-12
John 13:1-17
Mary and Martha both cry out to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
It is a cry we may also have uttered in the face of another tragedy. Pastor Kate explores where God is in the midst of the violence of our lives, especially when we wonder if God is ever going to show up.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 104:27-30
John 11:1-44
Imagine entering a concert hall, ready to listen to one of the greatest composers play a piece, only to watch him sit at the piano and do nothing for four and a half minutes.
Pastor Kate follows the lead of composer John Cage and begins her sermon with 4 minutes, 33 seconds of “silence” (the silence is not included in the recording), playing with the idea of our preconceived notions and set definitions. Something Jesus did with the Pharisees 2000 years ago.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 27:1-4
John 9:1-41
In the Gospel of John, Jesus travels back and forth between Jerusalem and Galilee several times. In the story of one trip, we hear that Jesus “had to go through Samaria”–which was enemy territory. But there were well traveled-routes between Judea and Galilee that avoided going through Samaria. So why did Jesus head straight for the place where he and his disciples were outsiders, where they would meet people who did not look or live or worship as they do, people with whom they had a long history of hostility and hurt?
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 42:1-3
John 4:1-42
When Nicodemus takes a walk to visit Jesus one night, he leaves the places he knows best, where he feels comfortable and in control, and seeks the place where Jesus is. What about us? Will we leave our comfortable places, the places where we know our roles and rules and status, to find where Jesus is?
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 139:13-18
John 3:1-21
Pastor Yvette’s sermon tells the Christmas story from the perspective of a shepherd.
I am not of this time and place, but it seems to me that it is not so very different from my time… In this time, also, God still needs unlikely messengers like we were to receive and to share good news of great joy. God needs you to carry the light of Christ in the midst of darkness.
Pastor Kate remembers growing up in New Mexico and being pelted with sand as the wind carried it across the landscape. She also remembers praying for rain to water the barren land. Much like the Israelites prayed for relief after returning from exile in Babylon. Pastor Kate explores what this means for us as we await the coming of a savior on Christmas.
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 55:1-13
John 4:13-14
There are so many things that cause us to forget that we are beloved children of God and make us think that God can’t possibly want us, or that God just is not with us. But God is the one who remembers.
Again and again God’s people forgot. They forgot how to live as God’s people, called to justice and mercy, blessed to be a blessing to all God’s world. They forgot God’s faithful love for them. But again and again, God sent the prophets to remind them of God’s call and God’s promises.
Accompanying scripture:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
John 11:25-26
Guest preacher Rev. Rose Mary Sánchez-Guzmán visits Faith to share her experience ministering to the community of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas.
“Jesus already crossed all kinds of borders for you. He came to be the light of the world. How can we not dare cross borders with him to bring his light to others? What we have is not because we deserve it. They are gifts that bring us into relationship with others – and with God, who reaches beyond the boundaries of men.”
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 9:1-7
John 8:12
703.525.9283 (Church)
703.525.1375 (Preschool)
