3/29/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Let Down”
Sermon: Sermon
Palm Sunday launches the week at the very heart of the Christian year. Our Sunday morning services open with the waving of palm branches and the joyful procession of children. Our gospel includes a series of events from the last days of Jesus’ life. The excitement and joy that overflowed when he entered the city is now behind them. We watch as those closest to him fail to live up to the needs of the hour. In Gethsemane the disciples cannot stay awake while he prays. After the arrest Peter denies even knowing who Jesus is. At the crucifixion, those who have followed him remain at a distance. When Jesus has died, a man named Joseph takes the body down from the cross and lowers it into the grave. The text for the morning is drawn from Mark, chapters 14-15, and Jonathan’s sermon is titled “Let Down.”
Scripture: Scripture
3/22/15 – Youth Sunday – Julian Szieff, Zoe Peterson, Kade Schmitz & Steven Williams
Sermon: Sermon
As we continue to prepare ourselves for the passion and resurrection of Christ, we remind ourselves that all persons are part of Christ’s community and that the words of the Prophet Joel, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons an daughters will speak God’s words and your young people will see visions.” Come and hear our youth as they lead us in our worship time this Sunday, sharing their vision and hope for the future as well as their thankfulness for the Church’s work in their lives.
Scripture: Scripture
3/15/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Getting Involved”
Sermon: Sermon
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally a time for a mild break from the somber character of the season. In the Roman Catholic Church it is known as Laetere (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. So the scripture this Sunday invites us into the hope and joy of the gospel.
Our text contains one of the classic statements of the meaning of the incarnation. Jesus is meeting with Nicodemus, a leader of the Jewish community. Nicodemus is drawn to Jesus’ teaching. He believes that Jesus has come from God. But he also has questions. Jesus tells him that the purpose of his coming is much more than Nicodemus has imagined. It is not simply a new teaching that he brings. He has come to offer salvation to the world. The scripture for Jonathan’s sermon is John 3:16-17, and his title is “Getting Involved.”
Scripture: Scripture
3/8/15 – Jonathan Chute – “The Two Tables”
Sermon: Sermon
On the third Sunday in Lent we continue our way through the history of God’s covenants with the human family. This week’s scripture includes one of the most important passages in the Bible. It is familiar to people completely outside the Jewish and Christian communities. Inside the Church, lots of us think we know them – but we may be a little sketchy on the details. We call them the 10 Commandments, but there are actually more than ten. And often their original meaning does not match how we see them in the present. Even so, they remain a powerful expression of God’s grace and compassion. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Exodus 20:1-17, and his title is “The Two Tables.”
Scripture: Scripture
3/1/15 – Jonathan Chute – “When Life Begins”
Sermon: Sermon
This week’s scripture is the story of a promise about to come true. Long ago Abram had left the land of his birth and travelled across the ancient near east. He trusted God’s promise that he would become the father of many nations. But years later he and his wife Sarai are still childless. It doesn’t look good for the couple, who are now into their nineties. It turns out that God has not forgotten after all, and just when they are ready to give up a new chapter in their lives is about to begin. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Genesis 17:1-7, and 15-17, and his title is “When Life Begins.”
Scripture: Scripture
