April 3, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “The Present”
Sermon: sermon
“We continue on our Lenten journey to Jerusalem, following as Jesus draws closer to the end of his life and earthly ministry. In this week’s gospel Jesus is at dinner with friends. The meal takes place at the home of Lazarus, whom he recently raised from the dead. It is about a week before the celebration of Passover. He knows that his time is short, and that opposition to his work is growing. In the midst of this more and more difficult time, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, shares with him an expensive gift. Not everyone is pleased by her extraordinary generosity. John 12:1-8 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “The Present.”
Scripture: scripture
April 10, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “At a Distance”
Sermon: sermon
With the arrival of Palm Sunday we come to the very heart of the Christian year. In the morning the service opens with the waving of palm branches and the joyful procession of the children. From there we move through a series of readings which take us through the passion and death of Jesus. Our text includes several episodes from the last day of Jesus’ life. In the midst of the crisis and chaos of his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, we are reminded of the central themes of his life. He cares for his followers. He prays fervently. He acts calmly, and intentionally, refusing to be swayed by fear. He offers forgiveness and hope, even to the end. The title for Jonathan’s sermon is “At a Distance.”
Scripture: scripture
April 17, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “A Likely Story…”
Sermon: sermon
Easter celebrates the central truth of the Christian story, that God’s grace and love are more powerful than sin and death. We see signs of resurrection in the new life of spring and fill the sanctuary with beautiful flowers. We sing “Alleluia!” and dare to hope in the truth of this good news. Yet the stories of the first Easter show us that Jesus’ followers were perhaps as unsettled and confused as they were hopeful on the morning of the resurrection.
Early in the morning the women come to the tomb, bringing spices and oils to anoint the body of their friend. But when they arrive they find that the stone has been rolled away and Jesus’ body is missing. They are stumped. They have no idea what to make of their discovery. Then a pair of angels appears. At first they are terrified. But the angels remind them that Jesus had told them before that he would rise from the dead. They go to tell the others what they’ve seen and heard. But their story seems unlikely, incredible, impossible. No one believes them. In the dark of early morning the joy of Easter is a tough sell even among Jesus’ closest followers. Luke 24:1-12 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “A Likely Story….”
Scripture: scripture
April 24, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Unlocked”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s gospel describes the aftermath of the first Easter. Later that afternoon, the disciples are hiding behind locked doors in the room where they had last met together. They do not yet understand what has happened. They are huddled in fear, struggling to make sense of what they have heard, and what they can believe. Then, without warning, Jesus appears in their midst. Locked doors are no barrier to him. He does not rebuke or scold his friends, but seeks to lead them out and into the waiting world. John 20:19-31 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Unlocked.”
Scripture: scripture
