September 2019

September 1, 2019 – April Herron “In Good Company”

Sermon: sermon

Jesus ate a lot of meals during the course of his ministry on earth, and a surprising number of them are described in the Bible. In Sunday’s gospel reading, the meal is being held in honor of the sabbath (God’s day of rest). Jesus finds opportunity to comment on the priorities of both the guests and the host. He would like to see less jockeying for position and more thoughtfulness toward those who are living in hard circumstances. He encourages humility as the honorable path. He suggests that the expectation of receiving something from others is not the right reason for putting them on the guest list. The scripture text is Luke 14:1 and 7-14. April’s sermon title is, “In Good Company.”

Scripture: scripture

September 8, 2019 – Jonathan Chute “God at the Beach”

Sermon: sermon

This week’s scripture is an expression of awe and wonder at the mystery, majesty and power of God. The one who gave shape to the immeasurable universe around us is also mindful of each one of us. There is nowhere we can go to escape from God, who knows us through and through. Though God is above and beyond our understanding, we are never apart. Psalm 139 offers the occasion for Jonathan’s sermon, “God at the Beach.” 

Scripture: scripture

September 15, 2019 – Jonathan Chute “Lost – and Found!”

Sermon: sermon

This Sunday our gospel includes two of Jesus’ most joyful parables – the lost sheep and the lost coin. The shepherd’s determination to find one sheep is risky. He might lose the rest of the flock. The woman searching for her coin is relentless. Her effort seems out of proportion to a single coin. But when each has found what they are looking for, they are overwhelmed with joy. Jesus says that their rejoicing is like that of God, who celebrates when those who are lost have been found. But it turns out that not everyone loves a party. Luke 15:1-10 provides the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Lost – and Found!”

Scripture: scripture

September 22, 2019 – Jonathan Chute “Final Clearance!”

Sermon: sermon

This Sunday’s gospel includes one of the strangest of Jesus’ parables. A rich man learns that his manager has been squandering his property and fires him. At first it appears that justice has been satisfied. But after being fired the manager figures out how to cheat his former employer and benefit himself. Strangely, when the cheating is discovered, the rich man praises him! Without question the manager makes the best of his difficult situation. But the ending still leaves us wondering. Afterward Jesus expresses the wish that his followers would be as determined in their faithfulness as the manager is in his cheating. Luke 16:1-13 provides the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Final Clearance!”

Scripture: scripture

September 29, 2019 – Kristin Recks “The Gate”

Sermon: sermon

This week we continue with Luke’s gospel and it’s focus on the least, the lost, and the unnoticed. This Sunday’s scripture, Luke 16:19-31, is a parable with two parts. The first is an example of the turning of tables; the poor man is raised up to the right hand of Abraham while a rich man experiences suffering. The second part of the story addresses the role of scripture in reorienting our lives to follow God. The passage calls out the embrace of material goods as a failure to hear not only Christ’s teachings but the words of Moses and the prophets as well. Kristin, our Director of Youth Ministries, will be leading worship this Sunday and her sermon title is, “The Gate.”

Scripture: scripture