Federated Church Sycamore Sermon Podcast

In this message, Pastor Eric explores the story of Saul's radical transformation on the road to Damascus. Having previously sought out, persecuted, and even killed "People of the Way" (what followers of Jesus called themselves), Saul encounters the risen Christ who tells Saul that he is those who are being persecuted. In this story, Saul doesn't convert from Judaism to Christiani...

In this message, Pastor Eric explores what it meant for the early Christian movement--and for us now--to live as "resident migrants"--fully in the world, but not conformed to the patterns of the world; refusing, ultimately, allegiance to any country, leader, or political party in order to be free and in solidarity with our neighbors across lines of difference. What does it look like for...

In this message, Pastor Eric reflects on the radical embodiment of reconciliation lived out in the early church in the Books of Acts, through the story of Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10-11). More than being kind to someone different than us, this passage challenges us with spiritual elements of community and belonging as well as political elements like empire and power; personal elements like overco...

Pastor Eric’s sermon this week promotes a return to the radical economic principles of the early church, emphasizing a shift from institutional preservation to active social transformation. "God’s economy," as reflected in Acts and the practices of the early church, focuses on redistributing wealth and practicing "downward mobility" to ensure that no member of the community rem...

This week’s sermon examines the connection between the biblical figures of Jeremiah, Jesus, and the early Christian disciples and their struggle to overcome fear and isolation, move toward action, and challenge unjust systems and self-interested rulers who claimed divine authority for personal gain. This historical narrative provides a foundation for a modern call to action on voting rights and de...

In this message, Pastor Eric introduces us to one of the many identity-forming moments for the early church as it relates to scripture, gender, and sexuality. As the Spirit of God's radical Love prompts Philip to cross unexpected boundaries in the Book of Acts, we listen for how God would call us to similar action in our world today, especially as transgender people experience political threat...

This is the final sermon in this series, consisting entirely of Pastor Eric's honest, unvarnished, unscripted responses to "the questions most on people's minds and hearts." Questions were submitted anonymously throughout the week, compiled by our church administrator, and selected randomly from a bowl during the sermon. No questions are off limits! Watch to see what people asked...

This sermon consists entirely of Pastor Eric's honest, unvarnished, off-the-cuff responses to "the questions most on people's minds and hearts." Questions were submitted anonymously throughout the week, compiled by our church administrator, and selected randomly from a bowl during the sermon. No questions are off limits! Listen to hear what people asked, and Pastor Eric's res...

This sermon consists entirely of Pastor Eric's honest, unvarnished, off-the-cuff responses to "the questions most on people's minds and hearts." Questions were submitted anonymously throughout the week, compiled by our church administrator, and selected randomly from a bowl during the sermon. No questions are off limits! Watch to see what people asked, and Pastor Eric's responses!

In this message, Pastor Eric's first since returning from parental leave, he reflects on the joys and challenges of new parenthood through the lens of the "three forms of prayer": A cry for help, gratitude, and awe/wonder. Through his own honesty and experiences, he invites each of us to touch those places and prayers within our own lives, and to consider how much we need each other...

This week’s sermon explores the significance of the biblical story of Jesus' "ascension into heaven"--his final departure from his followers after the resurrection. By exploring historical Christian art to illustrate the diverse ways humans have tried to visualize this mysterious transition, Pastor Eric invites us to find truth not in the specific or literal details of "how it h...

This week’s sermon from Pastor Eric is about the multidimensional reality of motherhood / womanhood / personhood, moving beyond shallow holiday ideals to acknowledge the visceral grief, joy, and political struggle inherent in the experience. Pastor Eric draws on the story of Mary, mother of Jesus, to challenge the traditional religious approaches to her—either ignoring her or turning her into a sa...

Pastor Eric’s sermon this week explores the meaning of true community. He examines the biblical tensions between the apostles Peter and Paul. While many of us desire the support of a "village," Eric argues that being a genuine villager requires embracing the inconvenience and conflict that arise from diversity. Using the early church's struggle to integrate Jewish and Gentile believe...

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Eric discusses the concept of resurrection and redemption as more than just a personal or human-centric event, but as a transformation of the entire physical world and its diverse life forms. Eric explores biblical narratives from the Old and New Testaments that envision a new heaven and a new earth—a vision born out of moments of deep communal trauma and environmenta...

Pastor Eric uses a humorous anecdote about his toddler’s comfort in the sanctuary, even to the extent of feeling safe enough to poop in the pulpit(!) to illustrate the profound nature of spiritual belonging. The church should be a space where individuals feel safe enough to release their tensions and vulnerabilities, mirroring the transformative experiences of encountering the risen Christ. Throug...

Our sermon this week is an interactive exploration of the biblical narrative of Jesus appearing to his disciples after the resurrection. Pastor Eric facilitates a collaborative discussion, inviting the congregation to imagine the trauma, fear, and skepticism the disciples felt as they hid behind locked doors. Members share personal reflections on doubt and grief, comparing their own struggles with...

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Eric explores the dramatic tension between Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem for the Passover festival celebrating liberation, and that of the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. Jesus's entrance is not merely a cute parade; it is a public protest. It is an intentional, provocative, counter demonstration emphasizing the difference between the so-called "pe...

This message reflects on the biblical encounter between Jesus and “the woman caught in adultery” to contrast notions of “justice” rooted in a judge issuing a verdict of guilty/not guilty followed by punishment vs. a restorative vision of justice. As in John 8, religious and political leaders all too often use the marginalized as political props to assert their own power. In our own times, White Ch...

This week’s sermon explores the theological shift fromscarcity to abundance by reinterpreting the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Pastor Erric explains that the true miracle was not a defiance of natural laws, but the transformation of a fearful crowd into a generous community willing to share their limited resources. Modern statistics on global hunger and food waste are used to demons...

This week’s sermon explores the foundational Christian mandate to love God and one's neighbor through the lens of a biblical encounter between Jesus, a Pharisee named Simon, and an unnamed woman. While Simon offers a judgmental and cold reception, the woman demonstrates radical devotion and vulnerability, leading Jesus to hold her up as a true teacher of faith. Pastor Eric explains that divine...

This week’s sermon explores the concept of transfiguration,defining it not as a change in essence, but as a metamorphosis of outward appearance that reveals a deeper, divine truth. Pastor Eric relates the biblical story of Jesus on the mountain to the modern church, suggesting that "God’s glory" is found in fully alive, authentic human beings. By highlighting the vast diversity of the cu...

This week’s sermon explores the transformative power ofhitting a dead end in life, suggesting that true spiritual growth only begins when we exhaust our own self-reliance. Drawing on poetry and the biblical encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, Pastor Eric proposes that being "born again" is not about religious dogma but about embracing a raw, honest humanity. He highlights how complex...

This week’s sermon describes the radical, prophetic legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by examining his final speeches during a time of intense national turmoil. Pastor Eric highlights King’s condemnation of the "triple-pronged sickness" of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism, arguing that these forces prevent America from achieving true moral health. He refutes the modern sani...

Pastor Eric’s sermon explores the theological tension between the biblical command to "be not afraid," and the traditional proverb that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.  The speaker argues that many religious institutions have historically weaponized shame and the threat of punishment to enforce social control, leading people to prioritize fitting in over true belonging. By contr...

This week's sermon explores how human beings use stories to make sense of their lives, noting that fear often acts as a deceptive narrator that can imprison the soul. Drawing on the work of Gareth Higgins, Pastor Eric uses the metaphor of a "snake" that is actually a rope to show how false authorities and anxiety can paralyze us. The text shifts to the baptism and temptation of Jesus...