Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor Sunday Sermons

Pastor Ken Wilson continues our sermon series on the Spirit as our advocate, focusing this week on Hebrew scholar Robert Alter’s translation of the 23rd Psalm, in his sermon, “Psalm […]

In her sermon, “God’s Preferential Option for the Poor,” guest speaker Rev. Brooke Pickrell preaches from the Beatitudes with a call to respond to our current political climate from the […]

Pastor Ken Wilson encourages us to view the Spirit as our defender and advocate, not an accuser, in this week’s sermon, “The Radical Revision of Our Image of God.” Learn […]

In “God is Everywhere,” Pastor Emily Swan asserts that the radical significance of Pentecost—that God is present everywhere and in everyone—changed the idea of “who belongs” in the family of […]

In his sermon, “The Things You Can Get Away With Saying in a Psalm,” Pastor Ken Wilson looks at Psalm 137, and it’s surprising ending, to explore how God allows […]

In her sermon, “Free Martha,” Pastor Emily Swan unpacks the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, emphasizing the value of both sisters’ actions. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

Pastor Ken Wilson explores differing readings of John 14:6 in this week’s message, “What Way?” Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service times and locations, at a2blue.org.  

Pastor Emily Swan refers to the experiences of Isaac in Genesis 26 while encouraging us to examine our memories and practices and focus on those that are life-giving, enrich our […]

Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Renee Jackson preaches on the story of Jacob and Esau in examination of events and emotions that can shape our responses to life experiences in her […]

Pastor Ken Wilson takes another shot at explaining atonement and what it means that Jesus “died for our sins” in our Easter Sunday Service, “Carl’s Question: Take 3.” Learn more […]

Pastor Emily Swan reviews how scapegoating promotes a false peace at the expense of the vulnerable, and presents Jesus as the ultimate innocent scapegoat in our Palm Sunday message, “The […]

Pastor Ken Wilson explores how privilege, prejudice and oppression can keep us from full fellowship with others in the fifth week of our Lenten series, “Jesus and the Disinherited: Love […]

“Jesus and the Disinherited” author Howard Thurman talks about how hatred tempts both the powerful and the oppressed. In dissecting human tendencies and applying the teaching of Jesus, we can […]

Pastor Ken Wilson calls out the deception—used by both the powerful and the disinherited—and lifts up the power of truth-telling fueled by the courage of being fully known and accepted […]

Rather than focusing on what the strong can do for the weak, Jesus among the disinherited overcomes fear with the profound self-worth that comes with being a child of God. […]

Pastor Emily Swan presents an overview of Howard Thurman’s book and warns those with power and privilege against having contempt for those in need in the introduction to our Lenten […]

In the Christian tradition, Lent is a community-wide retreat—a time to focus on Jesus. We call our communal Lenten experience “Leap of Faith” because growth on the Jesus path is […]

Guest Speaker John West explains how the genius of Jesus’ hospitality undermines the purity impulse to sacrifice in the seventh sermon in our series, “Making Contact: Mercy NOT Sacrifice.” Learn more […]

Pastor Ken Wilson calls attention to the power of art to move us, and references the parable of the sower to show how the Bible can move us to engage […]

Pastor Emily Swan reads from Jeremiah to highlight Jesus’s heart for justice and his warning against neglecting the poor, oppressed, and foreigners, in the fifth week of our sermon series, […]

Pastor Ken Wilson explores how memories and imagination interact—and how they enhance our experience of God through Emmanuel Prayer—in the fourth sermon in our series, “Making Contact: Luke 24 as […]

Worship Director Cassie Brabbs shares her personal experiences with Emmanuel Prayer, and the importance it plays in her connection to God, in the third week of our series, “Making Contact: […]

Guest Speaker Rabbi Dr. Mark Kinzer explains the significance and blessings of mitzvah in “Making Contact: A Jewish Approach to Scripture,” the second sermon of our series. Learn more about […]

If Jesus is alive (as the Scriptures testify) and he’s accessibly present to us with active agency and eager to lead anyone willing to follow, why wouldn’t we trust our […]

Pastor Ken Wilson begins the new year with a look at the story of Stephen from Acts 6–7, in “Stephen’s Stoning: A Faith Perspective on How to be an Ally.” […]