May 5, 2019 – Jonathan Chute “No No No No No!”
Sermon: sermon
The early days of the Christian movement were often tense and threatening. Followers of Jesus were accused of heresy by devout Jews, none more energetic than Saul. He has witnessed the stoning and death of Stephen, and is looking for more followers of Jesus to arrest. On the road to Damascus, something happens which will change not only the course of his life, but the whole future of the Christian movement. Acts 9:1-20 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon on this 3rd Sunday of Easter, and his title is “No No No No No!”
Scripture: scripture
May 12, 2019 – Jonathan Chute “Not According to Plan”
Sermon: sermon
In this week’s scripture we see Peter respond to a call for help in the coastal community of Joppa. Tabitha, one of the leaders there, has died, and others in the church send for him. The story shows the early Church at work, sharing acts of compassion and hope wherever they went. It also shows Peter growing into the hopes Jesus had for him. And it shows Peter straying further from his comfort zone as he follows God’s leading. The text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Not According to Plan,” is Acts 9:36-43.
Scripture: scripture
May 19, 2019 – April Herron “Getting the Message”
Sermon: sermon
George Carlin is on record as having said, “Just when I discovered the meaning of life, they changed it.” Jesus’ disciple Peter may have felt that way when God started trying to convey a new vision for who belongs in the community of faith and what is expected of those who are welcomed in. Peter, trying to provide leadership to the believers in the early days after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, was criticized (as Jesus before him had been criticized) for sharing meals with outsiders. Through prayer, he came to understand that God was inviting him to let go of previous disciplines and markers that had long defined the life of faith. He was being asked to change so that the “outsiders” could be joined with the “insiders” in loving God and following God’s way.
Peter deserves our sympathy. It’s not easy to make dramatic changes to one’s understanding of the rules of life and their implied meanings. Our scripture text this Sunday, May 19, will be Acts 11:1-18. April’s sermon title is, “Getting the Message.”
Scripture: scripture
May 26, 2019 – Jonathan Chute “Unexpected Journey”
Sermon: sermon
In this week’s scripture we follow the Apostle Paul as he travels among the towns and cities of the eastern Mediterranean. As he comes to Philippi, he discovers possibilities he could never have imagined. In the encounters he will have in this city, a mission to Europe is begun. The text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Unexpected Journey,” is found in Acts 16:6-15.
Scripture: scripture
