FCCO Sermons: Take 2

(Sermon preached December 11, 2022)  Joseph is often a neglected character in the Christmas story.  He never speaks.  The one thing Matthew tells us about Joseph is that he is righteous and in the story told in Matthew 1:18-25 he exemplifies the kind of righteousness that Jesus went on to teach and model.

(Sermon preached December 4, 2022) In the story known as the annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), the angel Gabriel calls Mary to bear God to the world.  This sermon explores the mystical tradition that teaches we are all called to be Mothers of God and that the true birthplace of Jesus is not Bethlehem, but us, now.  

(Sermon preached November 27, 2022 on the occasion of the installation of the Associate Pastor and the first Sunday of Advent.)  The gospel writer, Matthew, opens his gospel with a genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17) that includes five unexpected women.  This sermon explores what these women have in common and why Matthew chose to include them.

(Sermon preached November 20, 2022)  In Philippians 4:4-9, Paul tells us that rejoicing is appropriate for all occasions and is the gateway to the peace that passes all understanding.  He wrote these words from a prison cell.  We can choose joy.  Dr. Edith Eva Eger, wrote the book, "The Choice" in 2017.  She is a survivor of Auschwitz and earned her degree as a Clinical Psychologist at the age of...

(Sermon preached November 13, 2022)  Isaiah 65:17-25 paints the picture of a vision that stirs our imaginations for a hopeful future.  Can you see it?  

(Sermon preached on October 30, 2022).   In1 Corinthians 12:23:31, Paul uses the metaphor of a body to explain how all the unique individuals who comprise the church are to work together.  All parts are valued.  All are necessary.  The church is an intentional community where people both experience the love of God and make visible the love of God to the world.  

(Sermon preached on October 23, 2022) Thia is the final sermon in a series based on the book, "Freeing Jesus," by Diana Butler Bass.  At the conclusion of Matthew, Jesus says, "I am with you always, to the end of the age."  The scripture reading is Matthew 28:16-20.  The sermon explores how to cultivate continual awareness of God's presence in our daily lives.

(Sermon preached October 16, 2022) Is Jesus A Way, OUR Way, or the ONLY Way? How is Jesus the way?  Based on the scripture reading John 14:1-6, this sermon is part of a series based on the book "Freeing Jesus," by Diana Butler Bass.  

(sermon preached October 9, 2022) This is sermon number four in a series based on the book "Freeing Jesus" by Diana Butler Bass.  This sermon explores what it might mean for us to call Jesus "Lord." The scripture for this message is Luke 6:46-49 and also includes Philippians 2: 1-13.

(Sermon preached October 2, 2022) This is part three of a worship series based on "Freeing Jesus" written by Diana Butler Bass.  This sermon explores the understanding of Jesus as Savior. 

(Sermon preached September 25, 2022) The scripture for this message is Matthew 5:1-2, 7:28-29 and this sermon explores Jesus as teacher.  Teachers have the potential to greatly impact the lives of their students. Jesus was an innovative and creative teacher that continues to transform lives to this day with what he taught. 

(Sermon Preached September 18, 2022)  The scripture reading for this sermon is John 15:12-17.  It is the first sermon in a series based on the book  Freeing Jesus,  by Diana Butler Bass.  

(Sermon preached August 28, 2022).  Luke 14: 1, 7-14 tells the story of Jesus attending a banquet at the home of a prominent Pharisee.  Jesus offers a deflating critique of their table manners and raises the question of who belongs at the table.  Is there room for everyone?

(Sermon preached August 21, 2022) Luke 13:10-17 tells the story of a woman who is bent over and has been for eighteen years.  Jesus is teaching in the synagogue and she is there and he sees her.  She leaves the synagogue standing straight and praising God.  The leader of the synagogue gets bent out of shape.  She leaves the synagogue finally able to see what is in front of her.  The leader of the...

(Sermon preached August 14, 2022) If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, why does he say he comes to bring division in Luke 12:49-56?  This challenging passage reminds us that working for peace and justice can create conflict and division.  Jesus, to use an expression coined by John Lewis, made "good trouble."

(Sermon preached August 7, 2022) What is faith? The author of the Book of Hebrews is preaching on faith, describing it as action, forward momentum, in the face of difficulty.  The reading is Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, and the sermon is a response to someone who feels they are losing their faith.    

(Sermon preached July 31, 2022) In Luke 12:31-21, Jesus teaches that life is about more than an abundance of possessions.  Greed can manifest in our lives in many ways and cause suffering.  Jesus says, "Beware!" So what is the antidote?  How do we become rich toward God?  Here are three ways: Be aware.  Be grateful.  Be generous.  

(Preached July 24, 2022) Jesus tells the parable of two builders in Matthew 7:24-27.  One builds a house that stands, the other builds a house that falls.  The occasion of a baby dedication prompted this sermon on how we can help to build resilience in our children. Resilience is something we all need to withstand these stormy days.

(sermon preached July 10, 2022) The parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37 is a well-known Biblical story.  The story messes with our expectations and challenges us to consider what love requires.  

(A sermon preached July 3, 2022).  The story of Naaman and his healing is told in 2 Kings 5.  This story focuses on the need and suffering of one man, a man you could even call an enemy of Israel, and the people who participated in his healing. While we may not always get the miracle cure that Naaman received, how does God heal today?

(This sermon was preached on June 26, 2022)  This sermon is based on the scripture reading of 2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14 which tells the story of Elisha, picking up the mantle of the prophet Elijah. Elisha asks for and receives a double share of Elijah's spirit.  Where is that spirit today?

(Sermon preached June 19, 2022).  1 Kings 19:1-15a tells the story of the prophet Elijah's encounter with God on Mt. Sinai.  He is running for his life and feels like he is the last one on earth who cares.  He encounters God in what the NRSV translation of the Bible calls "the sound of sheer silence." This sermon challenges that translation, and us, to not be silent, or quiet, but to find our stre...

(Sermon preached June 12, 2022) Acts 2:42-47 gives us a glimpse of what the church can be as a spirit-filled embodiment of the gospel.  This passage is also a foundational passage for the movement that became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  With a passion and desire to work for unity, the founders of the Stone-Campbell set out to return to this New Testament model of church.  This ser...

(Sermon preached June 5, 2022) This is a sermon for Pentecost Sunday, based on Acts 2:1-12 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.  When God's spirit of holiness is poured out on Jesus' disciples, it drives them into the messiness and diversity of the human family.  

(Sermon preached May 22, 2022) Acts 11:1-18 tells the story of how Peter's mind was changed regarding a cherished belief.  He then has to go back to his church and explain that he has changed.  This sermon is a story of God tearing down the wall between Jew and non-Jew in the early Christian community.  What walls need to come down today?