January 5, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Seeking and Finding”
Sermon: sermon
In this Sunday’s gospel wise men from the East follow a star to distant Bethlehem. They are travelers from afar, astrologers who have noted the appearance of a star in the sky. They are rather unexpected guests at this happy occasion. We might not even have invited them, if it were up to us. But they remind us that the birth of the Messiah is more than just a local event. They are the first known worshipers of Jesus. Jonathan’s sermon, “Seeking and Finding,” draws on the story found in Matthew 2:1-12.
Scripture: scripture
January 12, 2020 – April Herron “The Blessing of Being Loved”
Sermon: sermon
In the gospel of Matthew, we are never told anything about what Jesus was like as he grew up, or how he spent his time, or any details of his daily life. We just jump from the mystery and danger of the birth narratives to the day when an adult Jesus comes up out of the Jordan River, blinking and gasping for air, and sees that God’s Spirit is with him. In that moment, an announcement is made that echoes over our lives still today: “This is my beloved Child, with whom I am well pleased.” Our scripture text for this Sunday, January 12, will be Matthew 3:13-17. April’s sermon title is, “The Blessing of Being Loved.”
Scripture: scripture
January 19, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “What Are You Looking For?”
Sermon: sermon
Our gospel for this Sunday tells how some of Jesus’ first followers came to know him. A number of them were already disciples of John the Baptist. When John points Jesus out to them one day and calls him “the Lamb of God,” they go to see what John is talking about. Jesus sees them following after him and asks what they are looking for. It seems that they don’t actually know. But that doesn’t stop them, either. The text for Jonathan’s sermon, “What Are You Looking For?” is John 1:35-42.
Scripture: scripture
January 26, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Call Forwarding”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s gospel finds Jesus by the Sea of Galilee. Following the arrest of John the Baptist he leaves home and begins his active ministry. He proclaims the coming of God’s kingdom and encourages the people to repentance. As he travels along the shore, he meets two sets of brothers and invites them to come with him. With nothing more to go on than Jesus’ few words, they leave their nets and follow.
Scripture: scripture
