September 4, 2022 – April Herron, “The Good That We May Do”
Sermon: sermon
It is the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and we have the opportunity to pause and reflect on our place and purpose in the world. In worship, we will read the Letter to Philemon, consider “The Good That We May Do,” and share in holy communion. April will be preaching.
The New Testament Letter to Philemon is short. The apostle Paul, arrested because of the faith he teaches, writes from his prison cell to the leader of a small group of Christians who meet together regularly in the leader’s home. The note concerns an opportunity to do something good; specifically, to release a man from indebtedness and alienation, and receive him as a brother in Christ. Paul wants the good deed to be freely chosen, not forced or coerced. Thus, he raises a question relevant to us. What good may we do that brings gratitude and glory to God?
Scripture: scripture
September 11, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Lost… and FOUND!”
Sermon: sermon
This Sunday’s 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 could lose the rest of the flock. The woman searching for her coin is relentless. Her effort seems totally out of proportion to the value of what she has lost. 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 not everyone loves a party. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Luke 15:1-10, “Lost… and FOUND!!!”
Scripture: scripture
September 18, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Friends with Money”
Sermon: sermon
This Sunday’s gospel is one of the oddest and hardest of Jesus’ parables. It starts out simply enough. A rich man fires his manager for squandering his property. That seems entirely reasonable. That’s what we would expect to happen. But then it takes a strange turn. When the manager is later caught cheating him the rich man praises the thief for his shrewdness! Jesus appears to condone behavior we would never want to encourage. What is going on? Luke 16:1-13 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Friends with Money.”
Scripture: scripture
September 25, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Rich Man, Poor Man”
Sermon: sermon
This week our gospel tells a story of two men of very different circumstances, yet who live within an arm’s reach. It shows us a picture of the wide gulf which can separate us from each other in this life, and how our relationships here on earth may carry over to eternity. Luke 16:19-31 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Rich Man, Poor Man.”
Scripture: scripture
