Archive for category: Sermons

Rev. Susan Holden preaching

Scripture: Matthew 11: 25-30 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 28-30)

Six years after Wreck It Ralph, Ralph and Vanellope are now life-long best friends. Their lives couldn’t be more perfect, until Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush is broken and unplugged. But luckily, thanks to the newly installed WI-FI router in the arcade, Ralph and Vanellope now embark on an adventure to find a Sugar Rush steering wheel and save Vanellope’s game. But on their journey, Vanellope discovers a new place she would like to call home and it causes some insecurity in Ralph which strains their relationship. In the end, there is only one thing he can do.

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)

In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. So where does this story point us toward the Gospel?

Scripture: Genesis 1: 26-2:3; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. (Gen. 1: 27-30)

Black Panther is a 2018 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The movie takes place in the fictional country of Wakanda. Wakanda is a rich nation whose technology surpasses all the other nations because they have a rare metal called Vibranium. A young man named T’Challa becomes king and the new Black Panther after the untimely death of his father. However, a family secret leads to his downfall and he must overthrow his cousin to reign again as the Black Panther. So where does this movie point us to the gospel?

Open the Eyes of My Heart – May 24, 2020

Scripture: I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you . . . (Ephesians 1:17)

You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what [Abba, God] promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:48-49)

The story of the last time the disciples saw Jesus is a story of blessing. Jesus says that as witnesses to his presence and resurrection, they too will be filled with the power to carry on his ministry, to be his hands and feet in the world. To see the world through the eyes of Jesus is to see through the eyes of love.

Scripture: Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon you servant; save me in your steadfast love. (Psalm 31:5, 15-16)

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:1-2)

Jesus himself cried out to God from the Hebrew Scripture that were his holy texts, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” He reminded his disciples, and reminds us, to trust in God when our hearts are troubled. Steadfast love is what God shows and what we are called to offer each other.