Sermons

A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, May 3, 2009 Mark 2:23-28 In just about 60 minutes I’ll be officially on sabbatical, the third in my ministry with you, now in our 20th year. Sabbaticals have become a common provision in pastoral calls in the United Church of Christ. It’s a wonderful perk, to […]

A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, April 12, 2009 Luke 24:13-35 I’ve been to Emmaus. You have too. I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t been there. Emmaus is the name of the place we go when the world has collapsed, the tossing and turning of the night has left us exhausted and fragile,

A sermon by Associate Minister Elsa A. Peters, April 5, 2009 Mark 11:1-11 Welcome to Worship 2000 years later, we don’t know what it was like to have been near Jesus. We assume that the disciples – especially in the Gospel of Mark — are pretty dumb because they never, ever get it. But, have

A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, March 29, 2009 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Over the centuries Christians have done many things well. One of them is to fight – or at least feud. For most of the church’s history there have been factions and strong proclamations by this group or that group that they’re right

A sermon by Youth Minister Aaron French, March 22, 2009 John 3:14-21 How much do I have to believe to be a Christian? It’s a question that we all wrestle with as we find our way as Christians. Many churches have a basic statement of belief that congregants recite together in worship, and depending on

A sermon by Pastors John McCall and Elsa Peters, March 15, 2009 Acts 10:34-43 Mark 12:13-17 Truly, God Shows No Partiality Acts 10:34-43 – In Caesarea, Peter preaches that God shows no favor because of nation, birth or birthright, but favors all who fear God and who do what’s right. John McCall When you think

A sermon by Associate Minister Elsa A. Peters, March 8, 2009 Mark 8:27-38 “Who do people say that I am?” Jesus asks. We assume that he knows. Obviously. He must know, but apparently not. Apparently, beyond our assumptions, Jesus must undergo great suffering. That’s a terrifying must, but Jesus must have this figured out. He’s

A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, March 1, 2009 Genesis 6:5-8 Genesis 9:8-17 “Can we be honest for five minutes — even though this is Chicago?” So begins one of Carl Sandburg’s poems. Based on the stream of news reports out of Illinois, and the stunning corruption and chutzpah of former Governor Blagojevich,

A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, February 22, 2009 Mark 9:2-9 “If my life is a book,” said Charlie Brown, “I’m afraid I’m stuck in the table of contents.” If your life is a book, where are you: in the preface, an early chapter, the final chapter or, perhaps, just a footnote? This

A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, February 15, 2009 Mark 1:40-45 Wild fires in Australia; deaths in Gaza; retail sales in the basement; job losses not just “out there” affecting strangers, but right here among us, right now. I’ve talked with several people this week who feel like little yellow ducks in a