For the spirit of the city

As we remember the life of Civil Rights Activists John Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian, coronavirus cases continue to increase and the country is still politically at unrest, "Do we really understand what God is up to or understand God at all?" This week Min. Anthony Gaboton explores this inquiry through Psalms 139:12.

This week Rev. Joel Blunk shares the 'Parable of the Sower' from the Gospel of Matthew. He demonstrates how Jesus's stories, and the idea of the suffering servant, contrasts from the imperial narrative of the Romans; and what that means for us as believers in today's world.

Transformation and healing of our city also demands us to take a deep look at ourselves. This week Associate Pastor, Lindsey Franklin, looks to Paul’s letter to the Romans, and explores the ideas of sin, grace, and trauma and how we hold each in our bodies.

Rev. Dr. Lisa Johnson looks to the book of Nehemiah (the King's cup bearer) as a figure to gain wisdom from during our hardships. Recognizing that we all need some help sometimes.

As protests continue across the city, there is an expansion of consciousness around what it means to be "anti-racist?" Rev. Joel Blunk explores this in context of scriptures and theology of crucifixion and resurrection.

As political unrest and Covid-19 continues to impact Richmond, VA and the world at large; in his first sermon from Richmond Hill, community resident Anthony Gaboton Jr wrestles with Sunday's liturgical scriptures on heaven, hell, and the cost of discipleship.

The Holy Spirit is moving in Richmond, Virginia. Tonight, we hear Paul's benediction in 2 Corinthians and wrestle with what it means to seek peace amidst systems of injustice. We find hope in the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit. June 9, 2020.

Amidst rising protests around the nation, Rev. Dr. Lisa Johnson looks to the writings of the founding fathers and how the United States has fallen short of its democratic ideals, especially towards people of color. June 2, 2020.

Rev. Joel Blunk explores how Oneness in God is not necessarily after we die, but can be found in the here and now, beyond the materialism of today's society. May 26, 2020.

Rev. Dr. Lisa Johnson explores how the Syrophoenician woman in the Gospel of Mark was able to procure Jesus's blessing in spite of her being an outsider; highlighting the grace of God which exceeds human boundaries. May 12, 2020

Lindsey Franklin looks to the early church (in the book of Acts) and their sense of community and how that speaks to our current challenges during the Covid-19 outbreak. And how we can still find ways to be grateful. May 5, 2020.

Rev. Joel Blunk talks about the journey on the road to Emmaus in his sermon given at Community worship on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

Rev. Joel Blunk talks about the liminal space behind closed doors in his post-Easter sermon given at virtual Community worship at Richmond Hill on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

On Tuesday of Holy Week 2020, Lindsey Franklin gave her sermon on the power of love in this time of pandemic in this first offering of a virtual Community worship service at Richmond Hill.

"Living my life as golden, golden." Rev. Lisa Johnson preached on John 10:1-10 at Community worship on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

Examining the story of the paralyzed man healed by the help of his friends, Rev. Lisa Johnson reminds us we are "to carry the one." Lisa preached on Luke 5:17-26 at Community worship on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Building the body of Christ by paying close attention to our diet is the message Rev. Joel Blunk delivered in his sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, given at Community worship on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

Rev. Dr. Lisa Johnson delivered "When My Soul Remembers" on Lamentations 3:20-23. This is her first sermon in her new role as Interim Co-Pastoral Director here at Richmond Hill. Lisa preached at Community worship on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

"Making a Way Out of No Way" is the title Rev. Dr. Paula O. Parker chose to give this sermon in honor of Black History Month. "Sometimes you may be part of a big story and not even know it," she preached at Community worship on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.

To build a movement that's going to change the world, you call a bunch of fishermen? Really? What is up with that? Rev. Dr. Dorothy White answers the questions in her sermon she preached on Matthew 4:12-23 at Community worship on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

In his effort to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, this year Rev. Robert Dortch attended the 2nd Amendment Rally in Richmond. Using Micah 6:6-8 as his framework, Robert preached on what's it going to take to change the world in his sermon given at Community worship on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

When it came to the baptism of Jesus, Rev. Joel Blunk offers us two key words: humility, and justice. Joel preached on Matthew 3:13-17 at Community worship on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

As the year winds down and resolutions are being made, DeBorah Cannady encourages us to stop and pause a moment to seek an oasis of stillness. She preached this message on John 1:1-18 at Community worship on New Year's Eve 2019.

"Mary, did you know?" DeBorah Cannady asks and answers the question in her sermon on Matthew's gospel account of the birth of Jesus. DeBorah preached at Community worship on Christmas Eve 2019.

The season of Advent is a season of patience and faith. Also it can hold impatience and doubt. Waiting and expectancy are not always easy and certain. Lindsey Franklin shares her version of the good news of Advent as she preaches on Matthew 11:2-11 at Community worship on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.