Archive for category: Sermons

Scripture: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Luke 2: 1-20

What an “odd” church! What an “awed” church! A child is born with an odd (read “dubious”) heritage in an odd place (an animal shelter) under odd circumstances. But this is a “Prince of Peace,” a “Wonderful Counselor,” a “Mighty God.” Angels sing, people come from miles around, and a star shines brightly on the place where he lay swaddled. Odd enough. But then this Presence of God, Emmanuel, goes on to live an odd life of presence with the poor, the unlikely, the untouchable, the lowly, and in the end, gives himself for the sake of the least of these. There is no loneliness so deep that the Christ, Holy One, Presence of God does not know or cannot penetrate.

Scripture: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Luke 1: 46b-55

We wonder what one person, or one church, can do and we despair at the injustices of the world. When helplessness makes us feel weak in the hands or feeble in the knees, we are reminded of the power of the “lowly servants” as Mary’s prophetic voice rings out in the “Magnificat” (the song of one awe-struck young woman!). Things in the reign of God are topsy-turvy. As the Body of Christ, we must be “born again” this Advent into the awe of God that leads to the joy of liberating service.

Scripture: Isaiah 2: 1-5; Romans 13: 11-14

To keep awake is to open our eyes in awe at the works of the Holy in our midst and to the promises of God to continually make all things new. We introduce the theme of “Awed & Odd” for this season of anticipation and expectation. This first Sunday of Advent we focus on the practices of peace to which we are called, making us “odd” in the eye of a world that lets fear drive our actions toward one another.

Scripture: Isaiah 65: 17-25

Have you ever had a “renovation” project that felt like it would never end? This week’s text shows that even God wonders what to do when the foundation and structure is compromised. Will Israel love “God’s house” as much as God does, or will Israel continue to enjoy living in the shelter of God’s house without maintaining it properly? We know what happened with Israel. How about us?

Scripture: Habakkuk 1: 1-4; 2: 1-4

How often do we lose hope in God simply because we have lost patience with God and/or God’s people? In order for a joyful birth to take place, there must be conception, waiting, and intense labor. In order for the house of God to be built, there must be patience so we build in the right way.