Archive for category: Sermons

Scriptures:  Psalm 84, Psalm 112: 1-9

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.

Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. — Psalm 112: 1-9

Where do you think God’s “dwelling place” is? The Psalmist speaks of longing to be in God’s “house.” Indeed, being in what feels like a sacred place can transform and inspire us. Instead of thinking that finding God requires us to go to a designated place like our church, what if we created spaces that reminded us of the sacred wherever we are? This week you are invited to create an “altar” in your home that can remind you that God dwells in all places.

Scripture:  Isaiah 9: 1-4

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. . . .

Life can be serious business. Certainly watching the daily news can give the impression that there is little good to find in the world. This week we choose to lighten up — to “spin” life in a little different way as we look for the delight and especially, humor, in life. A lot of people cite the ability to make us laugh as a number one thing they look for in friends and spouses. Many comedians have the knack for seeing everyday life in ways that make us laugh. Perhaps laughter is the best medicine.

Scriptures: Isaiah 60: 1-6;   Matthew 3:13-17

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. . . . Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice…” 

Millions of people suffer from some sort of anxiety or depression disorder. If you do not, chances are you are close to someone who does. As we begin our series on Spiritual Affective Dagnosis, we begin to look at spiritual practices to get us out of the mid-winter blues and into the light of our lives. While not a replacement for medical resources to alleviate depression, we will see how experiencing the everyday activities of our lives as blessing — as filled with God’s offer of radiance — can offer us a chance to be filled with the Light in whom we believe. This first week we affirm that the very act of “arising” each day is a gift from God.

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.