May 3, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “New Tricks”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s scripture describes the life of the church in its earliest days. Their worship is warm and welcoming. There is generosity and sharing with anyone in need. They are growing in the knowledge and love of God. They are making a difference in the world. Each day was fresh with possibility and alive with hope. It is a picture of the kind of community which people look to find even today. The text for Jonathan’s sermon comes from Acts 2:42-27 – “New Tricks.”
Scripture: scripture
May 10, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Home for Good”
Sermon: sermon
Our gospel is set on the last night Jesus shares with his disciples. He has gathered with them to offer some final words of encouragement. He speaks about their future together after he is gone and promises that this is not the end of their story. He tells his friends about the place reserved for them in God’s house, where he is going to wait for them. While they may not be able to see him, they will continue to live in him. John 14:1-7 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Home for Good.”
Scripture: scripture
May 17, 2020 – April Herron “Searching for the Not-Yet-Known”
Sermon: sermon
“May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means.”
This is the question that residents of Athens put to the Apostle Paul some 2,000 years ago, after Paul had arrived in their city and begun to talk about Jesus of Nazareth. It is a question that may well be on our lips still today, as we are living through a time in which new information is presented hourly, but understanding seems hard to come by. We would like to know more than we do! Paul’s answer to the question comprises our scripture text for Sunday, May 17. In Acts 17:22-31, Paul shares his deepest affirmations about God, the world, and the purpose of human life. April’s sermon title is, “Searching for the Not-Yet-Known.”
Scripture: scripture
May 24, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “Partially Sighted”
Sermon: sermon
The season of Easter concludes with the Sunday of the Ascension of Jesus. Some forty days after the resurrection Jesus and his disciples gather one last time. His friends want an answer to a question that has been with them from the beginning – when will he restore the kingdom of God? They spent months with Jesus, traveling, watching, listening and learning. But even after his resurrection Jesus has yet to fulfill their hopes. Despite all the time they have shared in his presence they still don’t see the whole picture. As he finishes speaking Jesus is carried up out of their sight. Their question will remain unanswered for now. But a new journey is about to begin. Acts 1:1-11 is our text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Partially Sighted.”
Scripture: scripture
May 31, 2020 – Jonathan Chute “All Together Now”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s scripture tells what happens to the disciples when the Holy Spirit comes to them on the day of Pentecost. They are in Jerusalem, along with other Jews from around the world who have come for the feast. When the Spirit arrives it appears like tongues of fire and sounds like a rushing wind. But what it does to those present is even more remarkable. The coming of the Spirit gave birth to the Church and sent Jesus’ followers out into a wide and waiting world. Acts 2:1-18 provides the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “All Together Now.”
Scripture: scripture
