March 1, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Not Alone”
Sermon: sermon
Following Jesus’ baptism the Spirit leads him into the wilderness. Over the next forty days he is alone, fasting in preparation for the work he is about to begin. Weak and hungry, he is presented with a series of temptations by the devil. But Jesus resists these offers. He remembers the story of his people during their time of testing, when they wandered in the wilderness. It seems that he is by himself out in the desert, but Jesus knows that even there he is not alone. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Matthew 4:1-11. His title is “Not Alone.”
Scripture: scripture
March 8, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “From Top to Bottom”
Sermon: sermon
This Sunday Jesus engages in conversation with one of the leaders of his religious community. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, comes to him at night. He wants to learn more about Jesus. But he gets no easy answers. Instead Jesus introduces Nicodemus to a new perspective on faith – one that sees our relationship with God through the eyes of mystery and wonder, rather than certainty and security. The text for Jonathan’s sermon, “From Top to Bottom,” is John 3:1-17.
Scripture: scripture
March 15, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Alone, Together”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s gospel text includes the longest conversation between Jesus and anyone in the New Testament. It takes place at the well outside a Samaritan village. Wells were the center of life in that part of the world. They brought people together in a land where water was scarce. This day, at noon, a woman comes to draw water as she did each day. But the conversation between them moves quickly from the ordinary water that quenches our thirst, to the “living water” of grace Jesus offers. He seems to know all about her, even though they have just met. His openness and honesty has a powerful effect on her. She goes back into the city with a new understanding of herself, and a question she can’t quite answer – “he can’t be the Messiah, can he?” Jonathan’s sermon, “Alone, Together” is drawn from John 4:5-30.
Scripture: scripture
March 22, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Not Everyone Sees”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s gospel tells of the healing of a man who was blind from birth. Though the gift of sight should be an occasion for rejoicing, what happens to the man and to Jesus becomes a lesson in spiritual blindness. John 9:1-41 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Not Everyone Sees.”
Scripture: scripture
March 29, 2020 – April Herron “The Power of Speech”
Sermon: sermon
Ezekiel was a priest who endeavored to speak for God during a devastating time in his people’s history. The kingdom had been overrun by enemies. Many had been killed. Those who survived were taken into captivity and dragged away, forced to live and work at the whim of others, far from home. In addition to all that loss, the people feared they had damaged their relationship to God. Ezekiel’s story may be found in the Old Testament portion of the Bible. Ezekiel 37:1-10 describes a time that the prophet felt guided by the Spirit of the Lord to see and understand, in a vivid way, God’s power to give, sustain, and restore life. Ezekiel’s vision is about how life comes to a valley of dry bones. April’s sermon title is, “The Power of Speech.”
Scripture: scripture
