Sermons at Morehead FCC

"What if this parable is indeed a story of lavishness? Not of the lavish living of the younger son in a far off land, but the lavishness of a father who spreads out his arms wide to embrace the son who wandered off and the one whose heart has hardened with resentment? It's the prodigal father who pours out grace upon grace. God is the one who searches out for the lost sheep scourers the house for...

Vineyards and fig trees, impatient landowners and determined gardeners. In her sermon for the third Sunday of Lent, Pastor Nancy explores a small parable of Jesus about a fig tree without any figs. What's this story have to say to us today? How can we find ourselves in it? And what does the next year hold for this poor fig tree? Listen to "One More Year," a sermon on Luke 13:1-9 .

Today's gospel reading is the story of a fox, a hen, and an unruly brood of chicks. We discover in these few verses the determination Jesus has to fulfil his mission, to live out his calling as he announced in his hometown of Nazareth at the beginning of his ministry:   "to bring good news to the poor. to proclaim release to the captives      and recovery of sight to the b...

The wilderness is a mythic place of danger. In the wilderness we are out of our element, unsure of our footing. On the first Sunday of Lent we listen to two wilderness stories. The first from Deuteronomy, as the Hebrew people are at the water's edge, waiting to cross over and start a new life. The words of Moses seek to ground the people in a worldview of gratitude, rooted in God's generous giving...

The Christian year is at a threshold moment, between the end of the season of Epiphany and the start of Lent. As we have considered the revelations of God we find in the stories of Jesus, we have encountered glory in unexpected places. In her sermon, "Disoriented by Glory," Pastor Nancy weaves reflections on the gospel reading with a short story "The Displaced Person" by Flannery O'Connor, and an...

Set Free to Love

The blessings we find in Luke's version of the teaching of Jesus are direct and tangible. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh...." And the woes which follow should cause us to squirm uncomfortably. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolat...

The one where Jesus offers fishing advice to professional fishermen. The story of Jesus's ministry continues in the gospel of Luke as Jesus begins to gather a closer group of followers.  "In these lingering days of pandemic, when everything we thought we knew about how to order our lives, how to be a faith community together has been upended, it's easy to find ourselves on the side of the lak...

In the fourth chapter of Luke, Jesus returns to his hometown. At first things go well, but then it takes a turn for the worst, as Jesus is run out of town. Listen as Pastor Nancy walks through the opening themes of Luke: the great reversal of the realm of God, the expansiveness of God's welcome, and the movement of the Spirit in the world.  Sermon: Now That You Know Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

The work was hard, the future uncertain, and perspectives clashed as the people returned from exile in Babylon and attempted to rebuild their beloved city of Jerusalem. Listen as Pastor Nancy explores the setting of this passage from Nehemiah and what happens when people hear the love story God has with them and with all creation.  Scripture: Psalm 19 and Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 8-12 View the p...

Imposter syndrome is defined "as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success." (Gill Corkindale, HBR, 5/7/08). Listen as Pastor Nancy explores the story of the baptism of Jesus, and what it means for us that Jesus got in line to be baptized. Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Today Pastor Nancy speaks of Epiphany, magi, stars, and unintended journeys. Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 As part of our faith community's spiritual practice we receive a star word for personal reflection in the new year. If you would like to receive a star word from us, message us on social media @fccmorehead (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter).

"I see a glimmer of hope in this story of the young boy Jesus, who finds a home among religious teachers…who don’t chase him away, or discount his questions, or ignore his insights. But who in their wisdom recognize in his questions a growing life of faith and choose to nurture that faith in him. Can that be our faith community today? Can we relate to others not in fear, but with the best of our a...

"Oh, how we need more Elizabeths, don’t we? –those who see beyond the surface things to the deep longings of our hearts. Our world aches for more of those wise folks who give words of blessing, not judgement; those who encourage, rather than tear down." Listen as Pastor Nancy explores the story of Mary's visit with Elizabeth. Want to read the text of this sermon? Visit Pastor Nancy's blog at https...

In her sermon Collective Repair, Pastor Nancy offers a fresh perspective on the preaching of John the Baptist. Could it be that John was less of an end times doomsday prophet and more of a promoter of faith-based practical living? In his targeted advice for tax collectors and soldiers, we find an invitation to life with intentionality and justice in our own lives. Scripture readings: Zephaniah 3:1...

It's not just superheroes who have origin stories. Many of us have those stories of our early lives which highlight themes in the arc of our living. In her sermon for the second Sunday of Advent Pastor Nancy explores the origin story of John the Baptizer, the divinely imposed silence upon his father, Zechariah and his joyous canticle of praise and hope as he and Elizabeth name their newborn son. Z...

"Advent steers clear of the sparkling glitter of the holiday season. It always begins at what feels like an ending--with the world crashing down, with chaos and upheaval, images of global destruction, people fainting from fear." Listen as Pastor Nancy speaks of the homesickness which marks the time of Advent. You can read the text of the sermon at Pastor Nancy's blog, https://ruminari.wordpress.co...

"It is the extravagance of God's creative grace we see in the beauty of wildflowers which blossom for a moment and then fade...in the freedom of a soaring hawk or in the beauty of the songbird's melody. There is an overflowing wildness to the grace in Creation, an extravagance that astounds us. Today is indeed enough." Listen as Pastor Nancy explores the familiar teaching of Jesus, "Consider the l...

What's the church to do when the voices of fear, hatred, and despair grow louder? Reclaim their calling as incubators of love, rediscovering their identity as an alternative community of love and good deeds. Listen as Pastor Nancy explores a difficult passage in the gospel of Mark and finds inspiration in some startling words from Hebrews. Sermon: Provocateurs of Love  Scripture: Mark 13:1-8;...

The story of the widow's mite, two small copper coins, which she drops into the treasury box at the Temple is a familiar story within Christian circles. Often the woman and her giving is lifted up as an example for us to give generously. But is that what Jesus is describing when he says of her, "she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."  Listen as Pastor N...

From sacred poetry in the books of Isaiah and Revelation, we find biblical writers seeking to offer hope to people facing hardships. There is hope, not in some far off future, but here and now, as the beloved community discovers God is moving in with humanity, seeking to spread shalom and abundance with all the earth. Listen as Pastor Nancy weaves these two readings together for her sermon, Findin...

Outside the walls of Jericho sits a man, blind and begging on the side of the road. Jesus passes by along with his disciples and a crowd of folks excited to follow the teacher and healer on his way to Jerusalem. Until, that is, the beggar, Bartimaeus, begins making a scene. As he throws off his cloak and heads toward Jesus, we see what it means to follow Jesus along the way. Listen as Pastor Nancy...

What does it mean to live a life of significance? Is it only for those in positions of power? In our gospel story two disciples take Jesus aside in the hopes they might make it big and gain influence by being his top two followers. Jesus pushes back, asking them to reimagine power and discipleship. As she explores this ancient story, Pastor Nancy weaves together thoughts from contemporary pop cult...

Another question is posed to Jesus, this time, not from an antagonist. A man kneels before Jesus, asking the question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Listen as Pastor Nancy explores the hidden assumptions behind the question, and invites us to listen to Jesus's answer in new ways. Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

It's one of those tough passages in the gospels. Jesus is asked about marriage and divorce, and the words seem harsh to us. Acknowledging the pain the church has caused to divorced persons, Pastor Nancy invites us to look again at this story. Can we find a word of hope in them? Where is the good news for us today?  (After some technical difficulties in our livestream service, Pastor Nancy rec...