Sermons

A Reflection on the Story of Joseph

August 7, 2011           Genesis 37: 1-28           Garvey MacLean +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Scriptural Presentations this morning have left two questions hanging  – two deeply personal questions which have pursued humanity from the dawn of recorded history.  This morning we were called to worship by the Psalmist who asked: “What are human beings that you are mindful of […]

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Holy Will — Human Will – Part 1

July 24, 2011 Genesis 29:15-28 It’s a story worthy of Rupert Murdoch and “News of the World”… a story of intrigue, deception, and betrayal that go right to the top! No this isn’t the scandal of phone-hacking, but another scandal. I’m referring to the story of Jacob, one of the Patriarchs. Today let’s look at

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Pillows of Stone

Genesis 28:10-19 Surely, Jacob stammers wiping the sleep from his eyes. Surely, Jacob stammers adjusting to the light. Surely, Jacob pauses to understand the things that he heard in his sleep. Massaging his stiff neck, Jacob stammers. Surely, there couldn’t have been a ladder. Surely, there weren’t angels. Surely, it wasn’t God. Surely not. Surely,

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Why Do We Live?

These observations about Genesis 25:19-34 have informed Elsa’s preaching. This is not a sermon manuscript. Please call the Church Office at 799-3361 for an audio recording. If it is to be this way, why do I live? Rebekah asks the eternal question of why things must be this way. God gives her no comfort, but

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Burnt Offerings

These observations about Genesis 22:1-14 have informed Elsa’s preaching. This is not a sermon manuscript. Please call the Church Office at 799-3361 for an audio recording. When Christians read this terrifying text, we tend to emphasize the test. Our hearts resonate with Abraham’s predicament. And so, we zero in to ask: Would our faith lead

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Who’s Your Daddy?

Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. June 19, 2011 Genesis 1:1-2:4a – The first Creation account. In five days God fashions all things and pronounces them good; creates humankind in the divine image on the sixth day and calls this “very good,” and rests on the seventh day, the Sabbath.   In 1968 the

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A New Age of the Spirit

A Sermon by Barrett Clark Hess Acts 2:1-12 Let me ask you a question: Is Pentecost simply another day in the life of the church? Pentecost, strictly speaking, is the annual Christian commemoration celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension, held on the seventh Sunday after Easter.

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The Fear of God

Acts 17:16-32 It sounds rather strange to us. It sounds strange to us to talk about God. We’d really rather avoid the topic entirely – after all, it’s not something you bring up in polite conversation – especially not the fear of God. Certainly you can’t be sure about your audience. You don’t know if

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Out of Trouble

Matthew 28:11-20 Don’t worry. We’re here to protect you. We’ll secure you. We’ll keep you from harm. We won’t let anything happen to you. There’s no reason for you to fear. We’ll keep you out of trouble, the Chief Priests and Pharisees promise their soldiers. What else were they to say? Their plan failed. They

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