March 3, 2024 – Jonathan Chute, “Spring House Cleaning”
Sermon: sermon
It is the Third Sunday in Lent, and the celebration of the Passover brings Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem. They go to the temple, the center of Jewish ceremonial life. It is the same temple where his parents had dedicated him, eight days after his birth. But this visit goes rather differently. He sees the animals being bought and sold, and money being exchanged for the temple offering. He reacts with anger and passion, driving out the animals and upsetting the tables of the money changers. It seems that the temple, the house of God, has become a business. Something holy and beautiful has been corrupted. It was not the first time that people have turned something good to other purposes. Nor will it be the last. John 2:13-22 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Spring House Cleaning.”
Scripture: scripture
March 10, 2024 – April Herron, “Not To Condemn But To Save”
Sermon: sermon
Our scripture text for this Sunday is John 3:14-21. It conveys a portion of what Jesus said to a religious leader named Nicodemus in response to the puzzled question, “How can these things be?” Nicodemus was trying to understand the work of God’s Spirit in the world. In response, Jesus used various analogies in an effort to clarify the life of faith, emphasizing that God’s priority is opening the way to a life held in God’s care for all time, and even beyond. April’s sermon title is, “Not To Condemn But To Save.”
Scripture: scripture
March 17, 2024 – Youth Sunday, “Written on Our Hearts”
Sermon: sermon
Psalm 51 is a prayer for mercy and forgiveness. Like the author of this psalm, we too at times may feel burdened by guilt, in need of a fresh start – what the writer calls a “clean heart,” In Lent God calls us back into relationship, to embrace God’s ever present grace and to be affirmed yet again that we are worthy of God’s love. Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Psalm 51:1-12 provide the theme for our Youth Sunday speakers, “Written on Our Hearts.”
Scripture: scripture
March 24, 2024 – Jonathan Chute, “Moments of Truth”
Sermon: sermon
With the arrival of Palm Sunday we come to the very heart of the Christian year. Each service this week opens with the waving of palm branches and the joyful procession of children. From there we move through a series of readings which take us through the passion and death of Jesus. Our text includes several episodes from the last day of Jesus’ life. Between his triumphal entry and the crucifixion, he experiences moments of grace and pain, betrayal and hope. Some of the best and the worst of us is woven through the story of his gracious gift. The title for Jonathan’s sermon is “Moments of Truth.”
Scripture: scripture 1, 2, 3 & 4
March 31, 2024 – Jonathan Chute, “Broken Open”
Sermon: sermon
Early on the morning of the resurrection three women make their way to the tomb. Just days before they had watched as the body of Jesus was laid there, and a stone rolled over the opening. Now they come to anoint his body with spices. As they walk, they wonder who will remove the stone. When they arrive, they find that the stone is already gone – but so is the body. The tomb lies empty. A young man in white tells them not to be alarmed – Jesus has been raised from the dead and will meet them back in Galilee. But rather than rejoice at the news, the women are overcome with fear. They flee from the scene, saying nothing to anyone. The text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Broken Open,” is Mark 16:1-8.
Scripture: scripture
