Sermons from San Diego

The world changed this week.  And "When the world spins crazy,  spins wild and out of control  spins toward rage and hate and violence,  spins beyond our wisdom and nearly beyond our faith,  When the world spins in chaos as it does now among us…" We turn to scripture which ground us  If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  Yo...

The third and last in the story of Esther If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

The story of Esther continues with a reversal of fortune If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Here's a biblical character you may not have heard of.  She is remarkably relevant for today.  Read chapter one of the Book of Esther If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

The Bible makes a surprising source for erotic poetry.  Be surprised when you read the Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Our series has moved on to Bathsheba and King David's son Solomon with a note for our anxious political times today Read 1st Kings  If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

The story of Bathsheba concludes with the unlikely rise of her son, Solomon Read 1st Kings 1 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

David is confronted by what he did to Bathsheba.  And God. Read 2nd Samuel 12 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

We continue in our series now at one of the most famous stories in the Bible:  David and Bathsheba.  Have you heard it told like this before? See 2nd Samuel 11 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhills...

Read more in 2nd Samuel 6 about an obscure character who shows we have choices in our non-choices If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

In the middle of stories about wars and death is a surprisingly tender story of two warriors.  Read it 2nd Samuel If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Our series continues with the transition from King Saul to David - a prelude.  I hope today is not a prelude to a new king in America If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Here's a fresh take on a story so iconic, even non-religious people know it.  Read 1st Samuel 17 for more If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Listen to the story of how David was chosen to become the new king of Israel.   Based on 1st Samuel 16  If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Our series continues with the demand to Samuel to give them a king, to be like everybody else.  People are faith are meant to be different. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

This is the first in our ongoing series leading up to and beyond the reign of King David - a series of meaningful, heartbreaking, and funny stories.  Come along for the journey this summer.  It all starts with Hannah, mother of the great prophet Samuel Read First Samuel 1-3 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to sup...

This is the conclusion of our series on Peter.   Read Acts 12 Christianity isn’t about achieving perfection.  Can I get an amen?  Christianity isn’t about achieving perfection.  It’s always an aspiration and commitment to start again.  So, my question:  Do you aspire to do better?  Forgive more often, slow you’re your anger, practice patience, love a little more?  Do you want to be set free from w...

Peter and Cornelius both had unusual dreams.  They are why we belong. See Acts 10 for the whole story If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church just voted to overturn its prohibition against openly LGBTQ clergy.  Some are celebrating while others may be embarrassed to be associated with a denomination that would do such a thing.  I was raised in the UMC and this decision is not so far removed from all of us. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church...

This is less an inspiring story as it is a cautionary tale about a couple named Ananias and Saphira and their motivations Read Acts 5 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Peter and John did something extraordinary “In the name of Jesus.”  As I thought about my sermon title today, the phrase “in the name of Jesus” kept coming to mind, but I hesitated – picture the over-the-top antics of a television evangelist.  “In the name of Jeee-sus!”  But I kept the title because I want to tell you about something extraordinary done in the name of Jesus on Tuesday. Read Acts 3...

Peter decided what criteria should be met for a 12th apostle to fill the seat of Judas Iscariot.  He overlooked the one and only candidate that should have been considered.  Why? Read text from Acts 1 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time...

Listen to the story of Peter from the beginning to Jesus' post-resurrection question:  Do you love me? If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

From John 13, this text teaches that Christians in America don't need more power, they need more humility. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give

Read Matthew 17: 1-9.  Peter wasn't sure how to respond to something that couldn't be explained - the way Jesus had been transformed right in front of his face.  So he proposed something to do. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org.  You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one t...