July 5, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “By a Thread”
Sermon: sermon
Our scripture for this week tells the story of a journey to find for a wife for Isaac. After Sarah’s death Abraham sends his chief servant back to the country of his birth, to find an appropriate match for his son. Abraham – perhaps still fearful of losing him? – does not want Isaac to go himself. At the end of his journey the servant meets a young woman, Rebekah, outside the village of Nahor. She has come to the well for water, but she is literally an answer to his prayer. After hearing Abraham’s servant’s story, and engaging in some negotiations with her family, she agrees to go with him to become the wife of Isaac. These verses from Genesis 24 are our text for Jonathan’s sermon, “By a Thread.”
Scripture: scripture
July 12, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Chopped”
Sermon: sermon
This week we witness the birth of Jacob and Esau, twin brothers whose lives together are marked by conflict. Their struggle begins in the womb of their mother Rebekah. At their birth, Esau emerges first, with his brother Jacob hanging onto his heel. It is a sign of things to come. As firstborn, Esau is in a position of privilege. But Jacob will turn the tables on him in the years ahead. One day Esau comes in from working in the field, starving. His brother is cooking up a tasty stew. Jacob offers his older brother a trade – his birthright for a bowl of lentils. Esau takes the deal and pays a high price for his hunger. Genesis 25:19-34 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Chopped.”
Scripture: scripture
July 19, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “When God Grows on You”
Sermon: sermon
In our scripture for today we find Jacob running for his life. His cunning and trickery have gotten him into trouble, and as a result he is fleeing his brother’s wrath. In the middle of nowhere, and on the way to a place he’s never seen, he lays his head down for the night. As he sleeps, God helps Jacob discover something he has never known before. Genesis 28:10-19a is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “When God Grows on You.”
Scripture: scripture
July 26, 2020 – Diane Rehfield “Treachery, Love and Gratitude”
Sermon: sermon
This week we see that Jacob has made it to his Uncle Laban’s home, where he lays eyes on Laban’s beautiful younger daughter Rachel. He wants to marry Rachel and agrees to work for his uncle for 7 years for the right to do so. But it seems that this family has been deceiving people for generations. Much to Jacob’s surprise, he discovers on the morning after his wedding that he has actually married Leah, Rachel’s older sister. Uncle Laban tells him that in another week he can also marry Rachel. But he will have to work another 7 years for that privilege. Imagine how the sisters feel. Imagine how Jacob feels. This treachery sets in motion years of competition between the sisters, as they seek to provide Jacob with children. They even involve their servant women, who had no say in the matter. What a mess! Yet God works through it all to create the family that will be a blessing “to all the families of the earth.” We find hope, that even among the messiest situations, God keeps God’s promises, and is worthy of our praise. The scripture reading is Genesis 29:15-28. The Rev. Diane Rehfield is our preacher this week. She served on the RHUMC staff for several years and grew up in Palos Verdes. Her sermon title is “Treachery, Love and Gratitude.”
Scripture: scripture
