Sermon Central

Today we celebrate these people not because of the titles they hold, but because of the way their one ordinary act of love ripples out to transform the world. Today we give thanks to God for them, and pray that we might go and do likewise.

Why do the hard work of repentance—whether it’s with those groups of people we have collectively wronged, or those who we have personally, individually wronged? Paul answers this in today’s scripture...

God has done the impossible—bursting the bonds of time and space, because death has no dominion over the holy one!

On this Palm Sunday, we meditate on God's expansive love.

Brazen does not need to be big, but it is done with confidence. Like Mary saying, “I see you, Jesus, and can only imagine what’s going to happen. But I am here with you, and I love you.”

God's grace is prodigal - extravagant, illogical - and for you!

God encourages us—yearns for us—to turn toward the path of life. The path in which we recognize our God-given worth. A worth that was given to us at our birth, and affirmed at our baptism. A worth that we are reminded of with each breath and heartbeat.

God is our refuge. There is nothing that can separate you from God, or keep God from protecting you fiercely.

There is no where we can be where God is not. Even in the desert.

In a flash in the middle of the road, God unravels Saul’s identity as a persecutor of Christ-followers and invites him to blindly stumble onto a new path. Sometimes God calls us into uncharted territory, and maybe our unraveling is simply a holy, fresh start.

This worship series of “Unraveled” is meant to acknowledge that life doesn’t always go as planned: sometimes our tightly-knit plans unravel into loose threads—our identity or the path we’re on comes undone. And it can feel like God isn’t there—like God has left us. This series isn’t going to “fix” anything, but it’s a step in acknowledging our pain, and remembering that even though it might feel l...

things don’t always go as planned: sometimes our tightly-knit plans unravel into loose threads, or our identity or the path we’re on comes undone. Sometimes that’s good, and sometimes that’s painful, and sometimes that’s both at the same time. Either way, the Holy Spirit is always working to hem us in, before and behind, and that is worth paying attention to.

Bishop Tracy Malone delivers the message, "A More Excellent Way."

We know that the human body, made of blood and muscle, needs salt to live. We know that the body of Christ, a body of peace and justice, needs us to live. We know that God's creation, bustling and blooming, needs the sun's light. We know that as new creations in Christ, we need the Spirit's light. We are called to be briny and bright, salt and light. Let us be empowered by God's love and hope.

This week, we look at our relationship with others—are we cultivating sanctuary? Or to put it another way: when people are around us, do they feel safe to be their perfectly imperfect selves?

It’s the beginning of a new year. And as the calendar turns, it’s a natural time to “restart.” To take a look at our lives and consider what is going well? What could use a tune-up? Where do we want to commit ourselves to becoming more of the person we want to be—more of who God has created us to be?

Contracts are important in this world. It’s where two parties say what they’re willing to give and receive, and if either party doesn’t live up to their part of the commitment, the contract can be dissolved. A covenant, though, is different. A covenant is something we make with God.

"Is there anything more healing than an open door? If you’re seeking sanctuary, if the waters are rising— listen. It may be hard to hear, but God is always saying, 'Come on home.'”

It's strange to read a scripture with John's harsh words on a day we're talking about joy. But John reminds us that we are each called to do our part to bring God's kin-dom here on earth, and what can be more joy filled than that?

We understand the story of Zechariah. We know what it's like to be speechless. We know what it's like to be awestruck. We know what it's like to change plans and leave everyone whispering. What we don't always know is what the next right step is.

As we begin Advent with the “Little Apocalypse” in Luke 21: 25-36, we remember how far from home we are. The world is not as it should be. Many of us feel as if we are wandering with no clear way forward. This first week of our Close to Home worship series speaks to our deep longing—for our home to be made whole, made right, and made well. With deep longing, we watch for God. Thankfully, God enter...

How do we define our worth? Are we worthy of love? Hear Rev. Gregory Kendrick, Jr.'s inspiring message, "A Kin-dom, Not a Kingdom" on this Christ the King Sunday.

Mark 13 begins "As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, 'Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!' 'Do you see all these great buildings?' replied Jesus. 'Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.' While the world may feel like it's gone sideways, we're reminded that some things won't last forever. But God's love is...

We are a church with a long history which includes wonderful messages from pastors and guest speakers alike. This audio library includes sermons from our pastors Rev. Heidi Welch, Rev. Clark Stein, Rev. Karen Oehl, and special guests - Rev. Dr. William McCartney, Betsy Wooster, Rev. Lisa Drew, Rev. Dave Patton, Michael Jasczcak, Rev. Joy (Parker) Fenton-Jones, Janet Kleckner, Rev. Steve Clunn, Rev...

We are a church with a long history which includes wonderful messages from pastors and guest speakers alike. This audio library includes sermons from our pastors Rev. Heidi Welch, Rev. Clark Stein, Rev. Karen Oehl, and special guests - Rev. Dr. William McCartney, Betsy Wooster, Rev. Lisa Drew, Rev. Dave Patton, Michael Jasczcak, Rev. Joy (Parker) Fenton-Jones, Janet Kleckner, Rev. Steve Clunn, Rev...