The Preaching Moment

Summary On Christ the King Sunday, Mother Suzanne preached about how Grace Church tells an "alternative story" of second chances and redemption, just like Jesus offered to the criminal on the cross. She emphasized that the church transforms the community one person at a time by offering grace and new beginnings to all who need them, including herself. THE GOSPEL                         ...

Summary Mother Suzanne welcomes the congregation into the Advent season, explaining how this four-week period serves as a time of hopeful waiting and preparation for Christ's coming, rather than rushing straight into Christmas. She addresses the seemingly apocalyptic gospel reading, clarifying that such texts are meant to offer hope that "all things will be made new," and challenges...

Summary Mother Suzanne reflects on the second Sunday of Advent and the candle of peace, acknowledging how difficult it can be to slow down during this busy season. She focuses on John the Baptist's call to "bear fruits worthy of repentance," explaining that this means doing what we're already doing in our daily lives, but doing it better - with more love, honesty, and service t...

Summary Mother Suzanne explores Matthew's brief two-verse account of Jesus' birth, focusing on Joseph's perspective as the earthly father who, like Noah, demonstrated righteousness through silent obedience to God's plan. Despite the challenging circumstances, Joseph chose to stay and marry Mary after receiving divine guidance through a dream, showing how ordinary people can par...

Summary Mother Suzanne preaches that God's greatest surprise came not through worldly power like Caesar Augustus, but through the humble birth of baby Jesus announced first to lowly shepherds. She emphasizes that God works in unexpected ways, using even a Roman census to fulfill ancient prophecies and bring the Messiah to Bethlehem. This Christmas message offers hope that God comes to meet us...

Summary Mother Suzanne delivers a heartfelt All Saints Day sermon celebrating both the saints who have gone before and three individuals being baptized that day: baby Hailey, Anthony, and Calvin. She emphasizes that baptism is not a solitary act but a community celebration where the entire church family promises to support these new believers in their faith journey, surrounded by the communion of...

Summary Mother Suzanne tackles a challenging gospel passage where the Sadducees question Jesus about resurrection using a hypothetical scenario involving Levirate marriage, where seven brothers successively marry the same woman. Jesus responds by explaining that resurrection life is qualitatively different from earthly life, not merely an extension of our current existence. Mother Suzanne emphasiz...

Summary Mother Suzanne teaches that when faced with apocalyptic passages describing wars, earthquakes, and persecutions, we shouldn't focus on doomsday preparation but rather see them as invitations to live with faith and hope in the present. She emphasizes that endurance is a hallmark of following Jesus, reminding us that while difficult times are simply part of human life, God's faithf...

Summary Mother Suzanne explores the story of the 10 lepers from Luke's Gospel, emphasizing how only one—a Samaritan outsider—returned to thank Jesus for his healing. She teaches that true salvation involves not just physical healing but also gratitude, which becomes a natural response when we experience God's grace and mercy in our lives. THE GOSPEL                                       ...

Summary Mother Suzanne explores the parable of the persistent widow from the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing that continual prayer should be a way of life rather than a burdensome task. She teaches that prayer can take many forms - from breathing to walking to singing - and encourages the congregation to persist in prayer just as the widow persisted in seeking justice from the unjust judge. The messag...

Summary Mother Suzanne preaches on the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, emphasizing how Jesus turns expectations upside down by showing that the humble tax collector's prayer for mercy was more pleasing to God than the Pharisee's self-righteous prayer. She shares a personal story about judging a well-dressed man who came to their food pantry, only to discover he was a longtime...

Summary Mother Suzanne preaches on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke's gospel, emphasizing that Lazarus is the only character given a name in all of Jesus' parables, with his name meaning "God has helped you." She teaches that Jesus measures wealth not by what we have, but by how well we share what we've been given, calling disciples to live by God's e...

Summary Mother Suzanne teaches that faith isn't meant to be heroic or complicated, but instead consists of the ordinary, everyday actions we do consistently. Using Jesus's teaching about the mustard seed and mulberry tree, she explains that faith is simply doing what God has called us to do - loving others, caring for those in need, and showing up daily with intention and open hearts. Tr...

Summary Mrs. Ginger Wolfe explores the parable from Luke about a manager facing termination who shrewdly forgives debts to secure his future relationships. She challenges the congregation to apply the same strategic thinking and resourcefulness that worldly people use for material gain to spiritual matters, using our time, talents, and treasure to build God's upside-down kingdom and prepare f...

Summary Mother Suzanne preaches on the parables of the lost from Luke 15, organizing her sermon into two parts: addressing loss without finding (in light of difficult national events) and the joy of finding what was lost. She emphasizes that God never stops pursuing the lost - whether lost sheep, coins, or people - and that as followers of Jesus, we are called to help others find what they have lo...

Summary Mother Suzanne preaches on Luke's story of Jesus healing a woman who had been bent over for 18 years, emphasizing how Jesus saw her when others overlooked her and called her "daughter of Abraham." She challenges the congregation to recognize that we all live "bent over" by various burdens and struggles, but Jesus calls us to "stand up straight" as God&apo...

Summary Mother Suzanne explores Jesus' teaching on table manners from Luke's Gospel, where Jesus instructs guests to take the lowest place and hosts to invite the poor rather than those who can repay them. She connects this lesson to Grace church's Thursday food ministry and shares a powerful story about welcoming an unexpected couple in need. The sermon emphasizes that God's k...

Summary Mother Suzanne addresses Jesus' extreme words in Luke 14 about discipleship, where he calls followers to "hate" family and give up possessions. She explains that Jesus uses hyperbolic language to emphasize that following him must be our highest priority - we must love him more than anything else. Being a disciple isn't something we put on and take off like a hat, but a...

Summary Grace Community Missioner Ed Carrette explores Jesus's parable of the rich fool, emphasizing that the problem isn't wealth itself but greed and selfishness that lead us to forget God and neglect our neighbors. He challenges listeners to be "rich toward God" by showing gratitude through sharing our abundance with those in need, rather than hoarding possessions for oursel...

Summary Mother Suzanne preaches on Jesus's words "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," emphasizing that God desires to shower us with good things and the kingdom itself. She calls the congregation to live in readiness and awareness for God's presence, finding ourselves through giving ourselves away in service and c...

Summary Mother Suzanne tackles a difficult Gospel passage where Jesus speaks of bringing fire to earth and potential family division, acknowledging that many preachers would skip this harsh text. She explains that Jesus, like Old Testament prophets, demands a loyalty so strong it might upset families and communities, but this "fire" represents purification and a new way of being. Rather...

Summary Grace Community Missioner Ed Carrette explores the origins and meaning of the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing that it wasn't Jesus' personal prayer but rather a formula he taught his disciples when they asked to learn how to pray. He highlights that this is fundamentally a community prayer meant to be prayed boldly and courageously, focusing on praising God and placing our needs...

Summary Mother Nan Doerr explores the Gospel story of Mary and Martha, arguing that Jesus criticized Martha not for working, but for being distracted by anxiety and the need for perfection. She emphasizes that Jesus loves us as we are and wants us to balance productive work with simply spending time in His presence, rather than getting so caught up in doing things for Him that we forget to just be...

Summary In this sermon, Mr. John Lothrop explores the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke's Gospel, examining the interaction between Jesus and the lawyer who asked about inheriting eternal life. Lothrop challenges us to recognize the difference between "being right and doing right," emphasizing Jesus' call to show compassion to all people regardless of background or circum...

Summary Mother Suzanne reflects on Jesus sending out 72 disciples to proclaim the nearness of God's kingdom with simplicity and urgency, drawing parallels to her own small but mighty congregation at Grace Church. She connects this Biblical lesson to a recent tragedy in Kerrville, Texas, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we can glimpse heaven through acts of valor and community, i...