Sermons

“Lighting the Advent Path with Peace” invites us to look beyond seasonal images of calm and ask what peace really requires of us. Drawing on Psalm 122 and Isaiah’s bold vision of swords transformed into plowshares, this sermon reminds us that true peace is inseparable from justice and learned through faithful practice. We are called to walk a path of peace step by step, seeking the good of our communities, transforming fear into curiosity, and turning the tools we hold into instruments of healing. Revisit this message to reflect on how God’s peace can shape our hearts, our relationships, and the world we share.

“Sinners and Saints” invites us to see that the line between the two runs right through every human heart. Reflecting on Luke’s Beatitudes and the story of Zacchaeus, this message explores how grace reaches both the blessed and the broken, the admired and the flawed. We remembered those who have gone before us, the saints who shaped our faith and the imperfect people through whom God still works. The sermon reminds us that holiness is not about perfection, but about love lived out: crossing boundaries, making amends, and following Jesus toward a community shaped by mercy and hope.

“Geography, Abundance, and Faith” takes us to the borderland “between Samaria and Galilee,” where Jesus meets ten people longing for healing and belonging. In this in-between place, barriers blur and grace abounds. Through the story of the one who returns in gratitude, we’re invited to see how God’s mercy crosses every boundary and how faith becomes more than obedience; it becomes transformation. Revisit this message to reflect on the abundance that surrounds us, the grace that still heals, and the courage it takes to see as Jesus sees.

“Celebrating OUR Ministry” reminds us that the church is God’s gift and Christ is its head. Rooted in 1 Corinthians 12 and 2 Corinthians 4, we affirmed that every person and every gift matters for the common good. The message calls us to welcome widely, tend the vulnerable, and share one another’s joys and sorrows. Revisit the sermon to be renewed in belonging, strengthened for service, and grateful for the treasure God has placed in our clay jars.

Rembrandt’s “Jesus Among the People” draws us into an ordinary crowd—parents, children, the sick, the curious, even the skeptical—gathered around a quiet light. It’s a window into Matthew’s Gospel and a mirror for our own life together: Christ meets us where we live, blesses our children, hears our questions, and holds our hurts. Linger with the image and let it remind you that Jesus stands in the middle of real life, welcoming all into mercy.

This sermon returns to Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones and the grief of John 11 to ask a question that still echoes in our lives: can these bones live? With honest lament for a hurting world and deep trust in the Spirit who still breathes, we were invited to notice the small resurrections already stirring among us and to become a people of courage, compassion, and renewed purpose. Revisit this message to take a deep breath, listen for the Spirit’s movement in dry places, and remember that God is still making life where we only see bones.

Faith sprouts the way seeds do—quietly, persistently, sometimes in unexpected soil. Guided by Jesus’ parable of the sower and Vincent van Gogh’s luminous paintings, we’ll explore how God’s grace warms every field and how our choices nurture or hinder new growth. Join us as we ask: What seeds is Christ scattering in us today, and how can we sow hope for others?

In “Gravity,” we meet the Ascended Christ not as one who vanishes skyward, but as the force that draws heaven down to earth. Grounded in Acts 1 and Ephesians 1, this sermon shows how resurrection life tethers us upward to God’s purpose and outward to embodied love of neighbor. Following Jesus means letting holy “gravity” anchor our faith in real places, real people, and concrete acts of hope—so every step becomes part of God’s descent into the world.

What if Psalm 23 invites us to see God not only as Shepherd, but also as Mother? In this sermon, we reflect on a God who nurtures, feeds, and fiercely loves—challenging our assumptions and expanding our understanding of divine care. Drawing from scripture’s often-overlooked maternal images of God, we’re invited to embrace the nourishment of God’s love, receive the strength of a fierce tenderness, and rest at the table of the One who makes room for us all.

Explore how Jesus’ parable of the loving father invites us to cherish authentic connection over mere exchange. In this sermon, we’ll discover how embracing genuine relationships, rather than transactional thinking, empowers us to love more boldly and hope more fully.

“Lighting the Advent Path with Hope” invites us to step into the season by remembering that hope is not wishful thinking but faithful, everyday work. Drawing on Isaiah’s vision of a new branch rising from Jesse’s stump and Paul’s call to a wide–open welcome in Romans, this sermon explores the practices that keep hope alive: remembering God’s faithfulness, listening deeply in prayer, crossing boundaries with hospitality, and working courageously through conflict. We are reminded that preparing the way of the Lord is a bit like preparing a home for a feast; ordinary, repeated acts that make space for beloved community to flourish.

“In This Place” invites us to pause and notice where heaven and earth meet in our own lives. Through Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching to the sky, we see how even rocky, uncertain ground can become holy when we recognize God’s presence. This message reminds us that the journey of faith is often uneven, marked by both struggle and blessing, but always accompanied by grace. Like Jacob, we are called to remember, give thanks, and respond with lives that bear witness to God’s steadfast faithfulness.

“Who’s Watching the Children?” calls us to see and care for the youngest among us with the same fierce love God shows in Scripture. Reflecting on Psalm 121 and Jesus’ welcome of children in Luke 18, this sermon challenges the idea that raising children belongs only to parents; it’s a calling shared by the whole community. We are reminded that God never stops watching over us, and that we, too, are invited to become the eyes, hands, and hearts of Christ for every child who needs care, dignity, and love.

“CELEBRATING Our Ministry” reminds us that joy and gratitude are not extras but the steady grounding of our life together. Drawing on Psalm 100 and Jesus’ parables of mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, and the pearl, this message invites us to notice the small signs of God’s kingdom in our midst, give thanks for the gifts we share, and let that joy strengthen us for the work ahead in a season of change. Revisit the sermon to be nourished by God’s goodness and encouraged to keep practicing a ministry rooted in hope, generosity, and shared praise.

“The Banquet” invites us to accept God’s open table and to make room for one another. Moving from Faith Ringgold’s joyful church picnic to Edward Hopper’s quiet diner, we considered the stories that keep us away and the grace that brings us home. With Psalm 133 and Luke 14 as our guides, this message reminds us that Christ offers rest for weary souls, food that nourishes faith, and courage for everyday gospel living. Revisit the sermon and be encouraged to say yes to the invitation and to share it widely.

Jeremiah calls us to more than outward obedience; he invites us to let God’s love be “written on our hearts,” shaping every word and deed. Drawing on Marc Chagall’s sorrow-tinged portrait of the prophet and Charles White’s hopeful vision of a modern-day seer, this sermon reminds us that true change begins deep within and ripples outward as compassion, justice, and shared hope. Revisit “Written on Our Hearts” to be nourished by a prophetic wisdom that still guides us toward a community where God’s truth beats at the center of our common life.

Doctrine isn’t a dusty formula—it’s a living conversation about the God who invites us to the table of love. This Sunday we’ll trace the Trinity through Scripture and art, from Proverbs’ dancing Wisdom to Rublev’s welcoming icon, and discover how God’s own community of giving shapes ours. Come and see how talking about God can open a window (and maybe a mirror) to deeper belonging and generous living.

In this sermon, we’re invited to see diversity, equity, and inclusion not as political talking points, but as deeply biblical values—rooted in creation, justice, and the wide welcome of God’s family. As we reflect on Psalm 23 and the parable of the lost sheep, we’ll explore how honoring God’s design leads us to advocate for fairness, cherish every person’s worth, and build communities where all can truly belong.

This Eastertide sermon invites us to see resurrection not just as a past event, but as the shape of the world and the heartbeat of our faith. Through the stories of Mary in the garden and God's renewing creation, we’ll explore how real hope rises from sacrifice, how God works with what’s broken, and how—even when we mistake Jesus for the gardener—new life calls us by name. Because Christ is risen, we are moving, day by day, from death to life.

Discover how Jesus invites us from self-reliance into a shared life where love, accountability, and support kindle genuine hope. In this sermon, we’ll see how building relationships and embracing community fosters resilience, belonging, and a renewed sense of purpose.

“Personhood, Humanity, and Ministry” invites us to reflect on what makes us truly human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Through Psalm 8 and the story of the Canaanite woman, we were reminded that real ministry flows not from perfection or efficiency but from the vulnerability of our shared humanity. This message calls us to see one another with the compassion Jesus shows: recognizing every person’s dignity, refusing to treat anyone as invisible, and letting love, not fear or technology, shape our choices.

“Stewards of the Way” invites us to reflect on what it means to walk the path of Jesus together. Drawing on the stories of the road to Damascus, the road to Emmaus, and Jesus’ own words in John 14, this message reminds us that faith is not a destination but a way of living, marked by compassion, truth, love, and hope. We are called to be stewards of that way, helping one another find direction, courage, and purpose as we follow Christ’s path of mercy and justice.

“Celebrating Our MINISTRY” invites us to ask what the church is for and to discover a life of shared gifts, grateful hearts, and everyday service. Rooted in Romans 12, the message lifts up ministry as both receiving and giving, belonging and blessing, worship and weekday love. Revisit the sermon to be encouraged in community, to notice where God’s Spirit is at work among us, and to follow Jesus in practical acts of compassion and hope.

At the Lord’s table, Christ meets us with real presence and gentle light. Reflecting on Salvador Dalí’s “The Sacrament of the Last Supper,” this sermon invites us to see Communion not as a reenactment of a troubled night but as a holy moment of welcome, healing, and grace. We come in prayer. We receive what we need. Then we rise nourished to become Christ’s hands and feet for our neighbors.

Storms rise, the boat rocks, and still Christ strides across the waves, steadying every heart. Guided by a twelfth‑century mosaic and a playful modern print, we revisited Matthew’s water‑walking story to see how awe, courage, and community meet when life feels unsteady. The sermon invites us to marvel (“Wow!”), to trust the One who lifts us when faith wavers, and to remember that the church, though sometimes a fragile skif,f remains held fast by Jesus’ outstretched arms. Come back to the story and let its quiet promise anchor your next step.

Like Jacob wrestling through the night, we, too, struggle with questions of justice, identity, and blessing. Reflecting on Paul Gauguin’s bold “Vision After the Sermon,” we’ll see how honest wrestling can deepen trust and move us toward courageous action for a fairer world. Together we’ll lean into God’s embrace, hold on for the blessing, and discover the strength to become that blessing for our neighbors.

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Pentecost isn’t just the church’s birthday—it’s a vivid picture of who we’re called to be. In this sermon, we trace the Acts 2 story through bold works of art, discovering a Spirit-fueled vision that blows past familiar walls, builds bridges across cultures, and widens the circle of God’s good news. Come explore how wind, fire, and imagination still ignite an expansive, brave, and joyful church today.

Psalm 23 paints a picture of a God who not only provides, but who walks beside us—through meadows and shadowed valleys alike. In this sermon, we explore what it means to follow the God who gives: who offers food, healing, rest, and purpose. Grounded in both creation and incarnation, we are invited to receive life as gift—and to respond with lives of generosity, compassion, and friendship with God.

We're invited to remember in this Holy Week sermon—not selectively, but deeply and honestly. As we reflect on the unnamed woman who anointed Jesus, we’ll explore how true remembrance leads us beyond comfort, into compassion, truth-telling, and hope. By joining our stories to Jesus’ story, we discover the kind of love that never forgets and the kind of hope that never lets go.