5/31/15 – Jonathan Chute – “From Every Angle”
Sermon: Sermon
In the Christian calendar it is Trinity Sunday, the only Sunday of the year devoted to an idea. The Trinity is a way to understand God’s activity in the world as being diverse and unified at the same time. God is three “persons” – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And yet we believe that God is still one. It is a puzzle that still delights and confounds us.
Our gospel tells of a night-time meeting between Jesus and another Jewish leader. Nicodemus wants to understand the mystery of God’s activity in the world. Jesus tries to help him see that the work of the Spirit, and those who live in the Spirit, is finally beyond our understanding. We can sense it, and feel it, but we don’t have a handle on it. At times we may want our relationship with God to be simple and straightforward. But Jesus says those who are born of the Spirit are like the wind, which blows in lots of directions. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is John 3:1-17, and his title is “From Every Angle.”
Scripture: Scripture
5/24/15 – Doug Dickson – “Spirit of Equality, Come”
Sermon: Sermon
This Sunday we learn of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the lives of God’s faithful community. We would expect the movement of God in the church to be a welcome and respected event by those around to witness it. Yet, those who saw this world-changing moment firsthand accused those who experienced God’s overwhelming breath of new life of being drunk-and at nine in the morning! When was the last time we were accused of being drunk as we allowed the Spirit of God to overwhelm us in grace? When have we experienced something so powerful and life-changing that others have not understood? The text for the day is Acts 2:1-21, and Doug’s sermon is “Spirit of Equality, Come.” Let us pause and pray for God’s Holy Spirit to renew and reignite us as we hear the story of Pentecost.
Scripture: Scripture
5/17/15 – Doug Dickson – “Fill in the Blanks”
Sermon: Sermon
The Gospel for Sunday morning tells us of one of the first tasks of the apostles following Jesus’ return to the Father. As the disciples gather in the room where they are staying, they seek God’s guidance in a unique way to replace the hole left by Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and death. To replace Judas, they cast lots (they rolled dice) and asked God to determine the outcome. It seems like an odd way to get God’s guidance for such an important decision as leadership in the early church, doesn’t it? Maybe, just maybe, casting lots shows confidence in God as well as those called to serve. How do you seek God’s guidance on decisions in your life? How does God choose people to serve today? Are you ready to fill in the blanks? The text for Doug’s sermon is Acts 1:12-17, 20-26, and his title is “Fill in the Blanks.”
Scripture: Scripture
5/10/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Racing with the Wind”
Sermon: Sermon
This week’s scripture tells what happened as the first Christians began to reach out to people beyond their own community. They really didn’t want to, but found that wherever they went God was already stirring things up ahead of them. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Acts 10:44-48, and his title is “Racing with the Wind.”
Scripture: Scripture
5/03/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Everything”
Sermon: Sermon
The scripture for this Sunday tells a story of unexpected community and hope. While walking along the road, a follower of Jesus meets a royal officer from a strange and distant land. The man is an Ethiopian, returning home after a visit to Jerusalem. He had come to worship at the temple, but was still looking for something more. As the two men talk along the way, suddenly the Ethiopian asks to be baptized. Though he is far from home, he is searching for welcome and belonging. He finds it on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Acts 8:26-40, and his title is “Everything.”
Scripture: Scripture
