Covenant Church

A vision after losing my dad; Dietrich Bonhoeffer's return home; memory studies of flashbulb events: Zack continues to reflect on Scripture and remembering in Nehemiah 9.

Substituting "we" for "I" in songs; anger at seminary students; losing the word of God (for a time): Zack considers confession and Scripture in Nehemiah 9.

Brain science, the Emmaus Road, and our aversion to teaching: Zack explains the importance and role of teaching in our faith.

Zack finds God's grace in the midst of lost paperwork -- in Nehemiah 7 and in our world.

How do we think about our Christian faith and our work? Zack offers three perspectives, including one drawn from Nehemiah 7. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons

Not choosing the way of the Zealots or the Essences; Benedict of Nursia; William Wilberforce: Zack talks about what Nehemiah 6 teaches us about enemies.

Thirty days living on minimum wage; Old Testament laws about the poor; some saintly examples: Zack talks about how our faith is inescapably political (properly understood) and how we are to learn, make a contribute with, and model the politics of the Kingdom. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons

Bullying, fear, and overwhelming work; William and Catherine Booth and the Salvation Army; not giving up life for a season for security: Zack gives a sermon on how to appreciate the obstacles in Nehemiah 4. For a handout, see covmin.org/sermons

Cursing and bullying in the Bible: Zack wrestles with how to understand imprecatory prayers in Scripture and modern-day bullying.

A new way of reading Acts 2; William Seymour and the origins of Pentecostalism; Joyeux Noel: Zack talks about how the Holy Spirit does the impossible -- creates a people where there is no people. For a handout, see covmin.org/sermons.

Jesus' scars remaining after his resurrection; Henri Nouwen's humility; overcooking carmelized onions: Reflecting on Nehemiah 3, Zack talks about our deeds following us, a particular kind of humility, and saying small Yeses when you aren't gifted.

A CEO, entrepeneurial-type; the details of tabernacle-building and genealogies; what does your heart ache for: Zack outlines Nehemiah's gifts on display in chapter 2 and argues for partnering with God for upbuilding the Kingdom.

Two questions to define you; raising $500 (instead of praying?); allergy to Torah: Zack discusses the centrality of prayer in Nehemiah 1 and in our Christian faith.

Zack talks about what Easter has to say about the uncertainty and boredom that plague us. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons.

What does "Hosanna" mean? Who is in this "crowd"? Zack preaches about the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons

How deep is God's forgiveness? Zack examines who can repent. For a handout, see covmin.org/sermons

The difference between Peter and Judas: Zack explains repentance.

Less than 1.5% of Americans in agriculture; cartoon animals; magically appearing food: Zack finishes this series on Creation by asking the questions, "How, then, shall we live?"

Tens of thousands of endangered species; not doing as Jesus did; "image of God" as calling not capability: Zack tries to understand being commanded to "have dominion" and "subdue" in Genesis 1. For a handout, please visit covmin.org/sermons.

Will plants and animals be redeemed so that they are part of the New Jerusalem? Zack wrestles with this question.

Leviathan "sporting" in the sea; galaxies we haven't seen; St. Francis calling animals "brother" and "sister": Zack reviews some of the biblical witness setting forth God's profound love for (non-human) creation -- and discusses what this might mean for us.

In this second sermon on the Parable of the Real Neighbor (the Good Samaritan), Zack argues that love requires imagination and training, that invitations to partner in Kingdom work may be more important than we think, that "fruits" are different than "results."

In wrestling with why we don't act like the Good Samaritan, Zack argues that we are all "high-hurry seminary students" -- and suggests what we might do about it.

In this Christmas Day sermon, Zack marvels at how amazing it is that Jesus is both human and God.

Five parables; changing our "time horizon"; a new way to pray the Lord's Prayer: Zack explains what it means to wait on the Lord.