November 6, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “God of the Living”
Sermon: sermon
Sunday of All Saints
In this week’s gospel reading a group of Sadducees come to Jesus with a question about what happens after we die. They do not believe in the resurrection and want to show how absurd an idea it is. They tell him a story about a woman who marries seven brothers in a row, as each of them dies and leaves her a widow. The law requires them to take her as a wife, to provide for her support and care after the death of her first husband. When she dies, they ask Jesus, “in the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” Luke 20:27-38 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “God of the Living.”
Scripture: scripture
November 13, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “High Hopes”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s scripture offers hopeful words for a difficult and troubled time. The prophet Isaiah shares a vision of the future God has in mind. It is a picture that reaches beyond human hopes alone, and offers a new beginning for the whole creation. In a time when the people were struggling to understand their identity and purpose, Isaiah’s vision of the new creation gave them hope that a new day was coming. Isaiah 65:17-25 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “High Hopes.”
Scripture: scripture
November 20, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Pastures of Plenty”
Sermon: sermon
This Sunday we celebrate Thanksgiving, in anticipation of our national holiday later this week. The sanctuary will be decorated with corn and pumpkins and other symbols of the harvest. The scripture for the day includes Moses’ instructions for the first recorded thanksgiving, celebrated when the people of Israel had come into the promised land and gathered in their first harvest. He encouraged them not to forget where they had come from, nor the God that had led them to freedom. He also knew that their feast would not be complete without room for others at the table. Those without land of their own, whether fellow Israelites or aliens from other lands, were also welcome. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Pastures of Plenty.”
Scripture: scripture
November 27, 2022 – April Herron, “What if…?”
Sermon: sermon
The weeks leading up to our annual celebration of the birth of Jesus offer us an opportunity to reflect on what happens when God takes decisive action in the world. The gospel accounts testify that Jesus himself expected to participate in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s hopes for creation. During his earthly life, he spoke in anticipation of a future in which God would make the world right. He encouraged his listeners to be alert to opportunities to welcome him as the Christ in their midst so that they would not miss out on God’s salvation. In Matthew 24, verses 36 to 44, Jesus makes clear that an encounter with divine presence and power could come at any time. April’s sermon will wonder, “What If…?” We will light the first candle of Advent, the candle of hope.
Scripture: scripture
