How Do You Know?
A message by Mike Kasputes on Diversity Sunday, February 19, 2012 Psalm 139 Mark 9:2-9 This morning we have gathered in a place that many of us know well – our church. It’s a place of comfort and safety – it’s a loving place. As a part of our ritual we reach out each Sunday [...]
Healing Happens in Community
A sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. Mark 1:40-45 When I go the grocery store I think I’m just John, shopping. But sometimes I have to put on my pastor’s hat. I recently visited with someone who told me how her life is feeling right now. The list of worries is long; [...]
The Other Direction
Mark 1:29-39 And she served them. My feminist heart is crushed but that’s what it says. She served them. Her fever disappears with but one touch. She gets up and serves these men that have gathered in her house. Some even call her “Jesus’ first servant.” Well, if you’re inner feminist doesn’t choke and die [...]
Facing the Future – What Will Become of Our Church?
A sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. Mark 1:21-28 You may have heard last week that General Motors is again the biggest auto company in the world, selling about 9 million vehicles in 2011. It held that spot for almost eighty years before being displaced by Toyota in 2008. In 2009 GM emerged [...]
Seen and Not Heard
They saw him. As they threw their nets into the sea, they saw this man. I’m not convinced there was anything remarkable about him. I’m not convinced that he had some shiny glow. Or that it was obviously apparent that this was the kind of guy that could walk on water. I think, more than [...]
Facing the Future – What Will Become of Christianity?
A Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. John 1:43 – 51 What will become of Christianity? There are two answers. The first is lifted by many loud voices telling you there’s a war raging. This war will determine whether our faith and culture continue to dominate the world stage, or will be [...]
A Different Way
A sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. January 1, 2012 Matthew 2:1‑12 (Common English Bible) Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? I have: spend more time with family and fewer evenings working, tone up this 6-decade old body, and enjoy life more. Sound familiar? Same resolutions I make every year. In fact, these [...]
What Kind of Greeting is This?
Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation I’ve been feeling nostalgic. Christmas does that. I’ve even gotten my annual Christmas cold to make everything feel familiar. By my count this is the 40th Christmas season I’ve preached, now 23 with you all. Each year we’ve had four Advent Sundays and two or more services on Christmas [...]
Shining in the Darkness
A Sermon By The Rev. Elsa A. Peters John 1:5-9, 19-28 Who are you? the priests and Levites ask. It doesn’t matter what John says — as they aren’t really listening anyway. They’re too caught up in their expectations. They don’t hear how John repeats himself. They just assume he’s refusing to answer. Then who [...]
God Gets It!
A Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. Isaiah 40:1-11 We’re surrounded by mystery; things we can’t understand. You may have heard this past week the British Intelligence agency GCHQ has created an online coded puzzle as a way to identify young adults who have what it takes to become spies. There are screens of [...]
When God is Silent
Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min., November 27, 2011 Isaiah 64:1-9 On this first Advent Sunday, at the tail-end of Thanksgiving week, there’s a danger of whiplash. Since last Sunday hundreds of pounds of Thanksgiving food have gone out into the community; the red paraments on the altar have gone and the purple [...]
God Makes It Good – Not Always Easy
A Sermon By John Brierly McCall, D. Min. – November 20, 2011 Deuteronomy 8:6-20 Our scriptures are so rich and filled with spiritual wisdom. There’s poetry and prophecy and history and theology and so much more, all wrapped together. As a whole scripture tells us of the relationship of God to God’s people across the [...]
One
John 17:20-26 Seven billion. There are now seven billion people in the world. And Jesus prays that we may be one. Over and over again, he prays. May all be one. As we are one. That they may be one. Completely one. But how? How can seven billion people become one? Completely one? In reading [...]
Dance with God
A Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. Joshua 3:7-17 You’ve likely argued with God, probably yelled and shaken your fist, too. Maybe it’s been a lover’s quarrel or a tug-of-war. But have you ever learned to dance with God? Maybe a slow, gentle waltz, or a wild, breathless tango? If you’ve tried – and [...]
Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No!
Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min., Consecration Sunday, 23 October 2011 Luke 6:27-38 In this complicated world you’ll be a whole lot happier if you just accept reality: there will never be peace among nations; there will always be clashes between rich and poor; there will never be harmony between religions; there will always [...]
The Flip of a Coin
16 October 2011 The Rev. Elsa A. Peters Exodus 33:12-23 and Matthew 22:15-22 You’ve exhausted all other possibilities. You’ve consulted the experts. There are no other options. There’s nothing else to do. You’ve reached that extreme. A decision has to be made. So, you pull out a coin. Tossing it into the air, you [...]
