April 2, 2023 – April Herron, “Still At The Center”
Sermon: sermon
This week in worship we begin with a celebratory procession of palms and then give attention to several events that connect Palm Sunday to Good Friday. Matthew’s gospel describes how, after entering Jerusalem; visiting the temple; healing people among the crowds; interacting with chief priests, scribes, elders, Sadducees and Pharisees; and continuing to teach the disciples, Jesus seeks out a place of prayer. There, he is taken into custody. The next morning, Jesus is interrogated by the governor, who gives in to the crowd’s demands that the prisoner be crucified. Then, soldiers carry out the orders. The readings (Matthew 26:36-56, Matthew 27:11-31 and 32-51) will be interspersed with hymn singing. April’s sermon title is, “Still At The Center.” We will conclude worship by sharing in Holy Communion.
Scripture: scripture
April 9, 2023 – Jonathan Chute, “Why Are You Weeping?”
Sermon: sermon
This Sunday we celebrate the central truth of the Christian story – the triumph of grace over sin and death. It is a message of hope that the world longs to believe. We celebrate resurrection as we fill the sanctuary with beautiful flowers. We sing joyful “Alleluias” and dare to hope in the truth of this good news. Yet the stories of that first Easter show us that Jesus’ followers did not immediately understand what they saw.
On the morning of the resurrection Mary Magdalene comes the first to the tomb. When she finds the stone rolled away from the entrance – and Jesus’ body missing – she runs to tell two of the disciples. Peter and another un-named disciple race back to the garden to see for themselves. As each encounters the evidence of the resurrection, they have rather different experiences. Mary fears that someone has stolen the body. It’s hard to know what the others think. After looking inside the tomb, and even entering it, they return home. Finally the voice of Jesus breaks through Mary’s anxiousness and grief, and helps her to see what is right in front of her. The text for Easter this year is John 20:1-18, and Jonathan’s sermon is “Why Are You Weeping?”
Scripture: scripture
April 16, 2023 – Jonathan Chute, “Breathing Room”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s gospel takes place on the afternoon of Easter. 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, trying to decide 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, “Breathing Room.”
Scripture: scripture
April 23, 2023 – April Herron, “Opened Eyes, Burning Hearts”
Sermon: sermon
The crucifixion of Jesus was a shocking event. From the moment it happened until now, it has presented deep and difficult questions. According to Luke’s gospel, on the evening of the third day after Jesus was cruelly killed, his followers were profoundly confused. They had understood that Jesus meant to liberate the land and people of Israel. His presence and teachings had filled them with hope. But then he had been condemned to death and publicly crucified. That was bad enough. What were the disciples to make of the reports that Jesus’ body had disappeared? Or even more difficult to believe, that Jesus was alive? Today’s scripture reading describes miles of walking and wondering over these questions. The story is found in Luke 24:13-35. April’s sermon title is, “Opened Eyes, Burning Hearts.”
Scripture: scripture
April 30, 2023 – April Herron, “How To Be A Happy Sheep”
Sermon: sermon
Jesus spent time with fishermen, farmers, merchants, scholars, religious and political leaders, and shepherds. In this Sunday’s scripture reading, Jesus uses imagery from the daily lives of shepherds to emphasize the value of listening to his voice and following him. Honest shepherds build a relationship with their sheep. The sheep learn to trust them based on their care and good leadership. Thieves and bandits represent the antithesis of care and good leadership. Jesus states that his presence is intended to result in abundant life for those who respond to his call. The text is John 10:1-10. April’s sermon title is, “How To Be A Happy Sheep.” The choir will be back with John Rutter’s “The Lord Is My Shepherd.”
Scripture: scripture
