Sermons for a Critical Faith

Does God still speak?  It would be nice if God would speak as clearly as  God does in the Bible – in direct, conversational English, but rarely  does God’s voice some through that unequivocally clear.  The Bible talks  about God’s voice sounding like thunder.  So what does the rumbling  thunder of God’s voice sound like today?

Loss – it doesn’t sound like a gift, does it?  Having the supports we  rely on stripped away doesn’t sound like a gift.  Feeling empty and  drained doesn’t sound like a gift.

Today we begin a journey in this season of Lent. Our worship series, “Gifts of the Dark Wood” is about “seeing life through new eyes.” Life is messy. Life is uncertain. Rather than a problem to be solved, what if we saw uncertainty, failure, emptiness, and loss as gifts? What if we saw how these uncomfortable times can actually help us let go of all we cannot know so that we can live more wholehea...

One of the ongoing questions about Jesus is this: Who do I think he is, and how do I think he works in today’s world? We explore that in today’s sermon by Dr. Kris Brammer

Who do you want to be like when you grow up?  Roles models that inspire are those who leave the comfort of their "comfort zones" to be with people where they are - no judgement, just love.  The Apostle Paul tells us how he does that - by being all things to all people.  But he doesn't mean what you might think he means.  We explore that in today's message.

Are we really free if there are limits?  And how does our Christian concept of liberty compare to that of the American society we live in?  A Sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller

Jonah didn't want to go to Ninevah - but God had other plans.  God's love is often more encompassing than ours.  A sermon by Rev. Dr. Jane Holtzclaw

We are a nation that prides itself on individualism.  In a way, that is some of what the division in our nation is about - individual rights.  I think most of us value our individual rights and freedoms, but where does it start to go off track, and lead us away from Christ?  A sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller.

The week of this sermon, the US Capital was breached in Washington D.C. by people trying to disrupt the certification of the electoral college votes.  We are called to be healers of the breach.  So how do we respond out of our Christian faith?  As those who are baptized, what is God calling us to do?  A sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller

Now that Christmas is past, now that we have celebrated the light of God coming into the world, do we recognize it when we see it?  How are we engaging with God in the world?  How are we responding?  A sermon by guest Rev. Katie Barrett Todd.

Christmas may be over, but the work of Christmas is just beginning.  Guest Rev. Steve Earl helps us explore what comes next after the decorations come down.  A sermon preached December 27, 2020

Sometimes it is more important to know God believes in us, than for us to believe in God.  A Christmas Eve Sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, at First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln Nebraska, Dec. 24, 2020

Didn't Jesus come to usher in the Kingdom of God? Where is it? On this 4th Sunday of Advent join us as we explore this question - part of our "I Believe Even When" Advent/Christmas Series.  Sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller at First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, Nebraska

Second in our Advent and Christmas sermon series "I Believe Even When ..."  This week we talk about how love is present, even when we are afraid, even when we don't feel it, and how love has the power to open us up to a new future.  December 6, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, preaching

Part 1 of our Advent and Christmas Series, I believe even when ...   How do we keep hope alive when there seem so many reasons to give up?  Join us for this week's sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, at First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln

A special treat today with a sermon by Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, on a theme that is central to who we are at First Presbyterian Church - a Matthew 25 church, where we put our faith into action, not because we have to, but simply because we care.

The Parable of the Talents has been taken over by talk of money.  It's really about grace.  A sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller

The Power of Our Stories - a sermon by Rev. Ray Meester

It's a simple question - do you practice what you preach?  Don't worry about anyone else.  The question is for you. Join us as we explore this in this week's sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, from First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Loving God and Loving each other - it's not always that easy!  And what does that say about how we make decisions about things that don't at first seem relevant to loving God or each other?  Guest preacher Rev. Landon Whitsitt explores this.  Rev. Whitsitt is a former vice moderator of the PCUSA, and the Synod Executive of the Synod of Mid America, in the PCUSA.

As Christians, do we owe any obligations to the government?  If so, what?  And do we owe any obligations to God?  If so, what?  Today we tackle how our faith influences our relationship with civil authority, and the potential of civil authority to be a part of fulfilling God's will in the world.  A sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, from First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, N...

Will we accept the invitation to live - now - in the kingdom of God?  It's easy to be discouraged by the messiness, and hate, and violence, and even apathy in this world, and yet we are invited by a loving God to practice love in this world, and in doing so, to bring the world just a little bit closer to heaven.  The choice is yours.  And mine.  We explore this in this issue of...

What biases do you carry with you?  Which ones are you aware of?  Which ones are you unaware of?  Our unconscious biases shape us in ways we aren't even aware of, and can even get in the way of us developing in the way God desires for us.  A sermon on World Communion Sunday by Rev. Dr. Jane Holtzclaw, Parish Associate for Caring Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln...

We are each on a journey - sometimes it's great, sometimes it is so difficult we want to give up and turn back.  The question is - is God with us?  Does God see?  Does God care?  Join us a we explore Exodus 17 and find an answer to that question, and just how God is with us.  A sermon by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller at First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska

Sometimes we think we can't make a difference in this world.  We can.  It's not easy but we're needed now more than ever.   Jesus calls us to love our enemies.  So let's stop making excuses and just do it, as hard as it may be.  No one ever said following Jesus would be easy.  But it is life-changing - and it can save the world.  Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, preachi...