Pastor Unplugged

The first in a series of sermons on prayer that are coming this July. The first week kicks off with a message about The Lord's Prayer focused on the version in the Gospel according to Matthew.

On Holy Welcome and Open and Affirming Sunday, a message about the inclusive welcome of God for all of God's children.   

Sarah laughed when she heard the unlikely news that she would have a son. How many times do we laugh at the unlikely? A reminder to us all that the unlikely and the miraculous still occur.

A look at the importance of community in the life of following Jesus. Fortunately, we have the early disciples of Christ to guide us on our way.

Is it appropriate to refer to God the Creator, God "Our Father," as God Our Mother? What does Scripture say?  

The second week in the sermon series, "Why Are We Here?" gives us the answer, "To Share the Good News." Our congregation -- and every congregation for that matter -- is supposed to share the Good News.

The first in a mostly regular sermon series on why our congregation exists in this time in history and in this place. The series, "Why Are We Here?" will last through the end of June.

Sometimes scripture does a good job of encouraging us. Listen to find out how it is done in Psalm 66 and John 14:15-21.

Sometimes the news we get is not what we want to hear; and sometimes the news we deliver is rough too. A message about how to handle bad news...

A message about the abundant life in Christ and certainly not a prosperity gospel message in case you were wondering.

Caring for creation isn't just the right thing to do, it is what we are called to do by God. And "dominion" from Genesis doesn't mean we get to trash God's gift to us. 

"Peace be with you," Jesus said. A message on peace in relationships and a meditation on war amid the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

How one Sunday more than 2,000 years ago can change everything...Happy Easter to one and all!

Palm Sunday in Jerusalem was a case in part of mistaken identity.

Lazarus is raised from the dead and Jesus asks people around Lazarus to finish the work to his road to resurrection. What bandages bind you? What keeps you from your freedom?

Jesus wasn't rigid and flew in the face of the status quo. Let's follow his lead in life and in the church, shall we? 

Here is a little straight talk about suffering. And a bit of a takedown of the trite slogans we've all used.

The day after the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran, a message of reflection based on scripture readings from Lamentations and the Gospel of John. Lamentations 2:18-22 and John 3:1-17.

The first in a series of messages on Lamentations and the hope and comfort we can find in these sacred poems and what they have to say to us today. Based on Lamentations 1:1-8.

Can science expand our ideas of God? I think they can.

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world...Part 2 of the occasional sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, including a good joke at the beginning.

Today's message is about the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Take a listen for a sermon about the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12.

Brief sermons on Bible verses plucked from a basket. A good time was had by all!

On Baptism of Christ Sunday, we look at the Baptism story in Matthew and consider what Baptism calls us to do as Christians. As Louis Gunnemann phrased it, it is a Sacrament of Vocation, or another way to put it, a Sacrament of Calling.

This message from today was not universally beloved by its recipients. And that is OK. We walk in dark times, but there's light at First Congregational.