12/28/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Christmas Stories”
Sermon: Sermon
Our celebration of Christmas continues, though the pace is a little quieter. The text for the day is John 1:1-14, one of the loveliest passages in all of scripture. Jonathan will share a reflection on the meaning of Christmas, a poem and a Christmas story, along with some familiar carols to keep the festivities going.
Scripture – Scripture
12/24/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Sermon: Sermon
In the gospel for Christmas Eve, Luke reminds us that the birth of Jesus takes place in the midst of other world events. From his throne in Rome, Caesar rules the Empire. His officials carry out his orders. Lives are turned upside-down. Those in power issue decrees. Ordinary people have to live with the consequences. But in Bethlehem an entirely different story is taking place. There at the manger, God enters the world in humility and weakness. A child is born to an unmarried couple, with only a few shepherds and a barn full of animals as witness. It seems like an odd way to begin the salvation of the world. The text is Luke 2:1-20, and Jonathan’s sermon is “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Scripture – Scripture
Charlie’s Poem – Poem
12/21/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Let It Be”
Sermon: Sermon
It is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and the anticipation and expectation are building. This week’s gospel tells of a birth announcement to a young, unmarried woman in Nazareth. The angel Gabriel visits Mary and tells her of the role she will play in the story of salvation. He says to her, “Do not be afraid.” But we understand why she may tremble as she listens to what he has to say. Her response is to embrace this news, despite the many ways it will complicate her life. Even then, Mary is not alone. Her relative Elizabeth is also pregnant. God will use both women to bring the good news for which the world has been waiting. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Luke 1:26-38, and his title is “Let It Be.”
Scripture – Scripture
12/14/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Shaking the Family Tree”
Sermon: Sermon
Wake the dog! Phone the neighbors! Get the kids out of bed! You won’t want to miss this Sunday, when we present – not more than twice in a decade – “The Annotated Genealogy of Jesus.” It grew out of an accident in worship many years ago and far, far away, when the liturgist read THE WRONG SCRIPTURE. To make things worse, the passage is widely considered one of the most boring in the whole Bible, and is full of unpronounceable names. It goes something like this: “So and so was the father of so and so. So and so was the father of so and so….” It goes on like that for quite a while. The preacher that day was one of Jonathan’s seminary professors, and later discovered that those verses actually contain some of the most hopeful truth in the whole gospel. He filled in what we know about those mostly unknown characters, and created “cue cards” so that the congregation could participate more fully in the story, cheering the heroes and booing the villains. The Third Sunday of Advent is “Rejoice Sunday,” so we’ll light the candle of Joy and share laughter and good fun in the sermon as well.
Mark begins his gospel with the ministry of John the Baptist. Luke tells us about the angel’s announcement to Mary. But Matthew opens with what he sees as the real beginning of the story, telling us the names of the people in Jesus’ family tree – all the way back to Abraham. In a culture that placed high importance on family and heritage, the genealogy of Jesus has some surprises in it. If God could work with this family, then there’s hope for ours as well! The text for the sermon is Matthew 1:1-16, and Jonathan’s sermon is titled “Shaking the Family Tree.”
Scripture – Scripture
12/07/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Step Back”
Sermon: Sermon
This Sunday’s scripture begins quite literally at the beginning. Mark opens his gospel with these words “the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.” But then the story does not actually start where we expect. There is no manger, no stable, no newborn child or anxious parents. We find ourselves not in Bethlehem, but out in the desert with John the Baptist. In that day people were anxious, looking with hope to the coming of the Messiah. But John knew that they were not ready. He came to prepare the way for one who was coming after. Sometimes, before something new can begin, you have to back up. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Mark 1:1-8, and his title is “Step Back.” We’ll also be lighting our second Advent Candle, the Candle of Peace.
Scripture – Scripture
