Podcast: FLC Sermons
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Sermon at Nazareth
This week, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. As the town that raised him, the Nazarenes ought to have an all-access pass to Jesus’s restorative power, right? Furthermore, as Jesus’s followers today, shouldn’t we expect full and immediate access to the Good News whenever we please? Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores how sometimes…
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Jesus’ Baptism
Trees produce fruit because that’s who they are. The same can be said about followers of Christ. This week, with the story of Jesus’ baptism, we hear again the promise of being claimed as a child of God in the waters of baptism that shape our identity in a way that should produce fruit; good…
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Boy in the Temple
In this week’s lesson, Mary and Joseph lose an adolescent Jesus in Jerusalem, only to find him days later among teachers in a temple. We see a new perspective of God’s unconditional love for and value of children. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores how we too can get trapped in our routines and invites…
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Jesus’ Birth Announced
In our reading this week, Mary learns from Gabriel that she will be the mother of God. And we wait with expectation – the same hopeful expectation Mary had. Listen as Pastor Kate explores how – along with the lights, trees, ornaments, and stockings – we begin to shift our priorities and anticipate what God’s presence…
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God’s Promised Spirit
This December is punctuated by a pandemic and for many shrouded by pain, suffering, and despair. If there were ever a year we need Advent, it’s this year, and this week’s text reminds us of that. Joel, an unlikely prophet, stands in the ruins of his city looking for hope. Listen as Pastor Kate explores…
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Daniel’s Hope in God
Our world is full of tension: so often we are stuck between doing what we want and what we know is right. For the prophet Daniel, tension rose as his faith – his hope – was tested. As we begin a new season in the church year – Advent – we find ourselves waiting and…
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God Promises a New Covenant
Anyone who has a tattoo knows the painful process of having something written indelibly into their skin. Yet, what is there will be forever (laser removal withstanding). Which seems like a good analogy for God’s promise to create a new covenant with the people of God and to write the law on our hearts. Listen…
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God Calls Isaiah
In this week’s reading, Isaiah finds himself in front of God while the world around him is collapsing. After having his lips cleansed with a burning coal, he volunteers to be sent to proclaim God’s glory to a world in need. Listen as Pastor Kate explores what it means to do hard things for the…
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Jonah and God’s Mercy
The story of Jonah is often told with an emphasis on the big fish that swallows Jonah up, but that’s only part of the story. Before he’s thrown overboard, before the fish, Jonah and his shipmates face a grueling, tempestuous storm. In these days following the election, you may very well feel caught in a tempestuous…
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All Saints’ Sunday
This Sunday we celebrated All Saints’ Day, a day where we remember the lives of those who have died in the past year. As we gathered to mark their lives, we heard from the prophet Elijah, whose story reminds us of the vulnerability of the human condition. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores how despite…