Sermons
Love Poems in the Bible | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
July 8, 2020 (Wednesday Meditation)
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Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) is the Bible's book of love poetry. What does it have to teach us about living as followers of Jesus?
Hard Conversations | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
July 5, 2020 (5th Sunday after Pentecost)
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It seems like sensitive topics are coming up more and more in conversation these days. When prickly topics arise, how can we discuss them in a way that is less likely to cause a fight? Can we have these conversations in a way that will actually build up our relationship with the other person -- and still allow us to be honest about what we believe?
What Can We Do Right Now? | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
June 7, 2020 | Holy Trinity Sunday
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As people of faith, we are pulled to think about many mysteries. Why did God create the world? (One answer I have heard is “love.”) What is the Holy Trinity? (One answer I have heard is “love.”) What are we to do in these days in these days of violence, racism, arguing, judgment? (One answer I have heard is “love.”) Let’s give some time to God to pray and think about what all that looks like in real, concrete actions we each can do.
All Together in One Place and Speaking the Same Language | Pastor H. Julian Gordy
May 31, 2020 | The Day of Pentecost
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On the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit brought about unity among diverse people. Today the same spirit is present to help the church fulfil the ministry of reconciliation to which it has been called.
What Does "Fear of the Lord" Mean? | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
May 29, 2020 (Wednesday Meditation)
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The Bible uses the phrase "Fear of the Lord" a LOT -- and, it makes it sound like a good thing. Something we're supposed to do. So what does it mean to fear the Lord? Why is it a good thing? And how can fearing the Lord be important for us during this time of pandemic crisis?
Are We There Yet? | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
May 24, 2020 (7th Sunday of Easter)
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"Are we there yet?" is a question we ask a lot these days, in different forms: When can we socialize again? When can we go back to work? When can we go back to church? But even when the answer we get is, "Not yet." We don't have to despair. We don't have to resign ourselves to just waiting. We can be the Church right where we are. We have work to do.
Friends | Pastor H. Julian Gordy
May 20, 2020 (Wednesday Meditation)
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"In the new order that Jesus is bringing in through his death and resurrection, the old hierarchies, in which some are important and some are not so much, are replaced by friendship. In the new order that Jesus has birthed, God is not remote but is one with us who are Jesus’ friends. This can be a comforting and challenging thought in these days of pandemic quarantine."
Longing for God | Pastor H. Julian Gordy
May 17, 2020 (6th Sunday of Easter)
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Speaking to Athenians in the Areopagus, St. Paul said that God created humanity with a longing, a need to search, to grope for God, even though God is not far from any of us. Pr. Gordy talks about this universal longing for truth, for something beyond ourselves, and about Jesus' promise that the Spirit of Truth is not far from his followers even now in these days of pandemic and separation.
Does Following Jesus Really "Free" People? | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
May 13, 2020 (Wednesday Meditation)
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Jesus said, "If you continue in my word...you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." But what exactly does that mean? In this meditation we'll take a look at how following what Jesus said really can free us -- in the ways we most want to be free. Free from anger, resentment, and feeling ruled-over by bad situations or our own emotional reactions; free to live a life of greater peace and joy.
Trust the Future to God | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
May 10, 2020 (5th Sunday of Easter)
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We often worry about what the future holds -- and now more than ever. In today's Gospel reading, the disciples are worrying about their own future, but they get to talk directly to Jesus about their worries. Jesus's response is "Trust God." In today's sermon, we think about what Jesus said about who God is, why we can trust God, and how we can find comfort in knowing that our future is in God's hands.
The Great Reversal | Pastor H. Julian Gordy
May 6, 2020 (Wednesday Meditation)
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Reading: Jesus tell his disciples that he will be killed, but they only argue about who will be greatest when he comes into power.
In Jesus's reign, the first will be last and the great ones are the ones who serve the others. In his meditation Pastor Gordy reminds us that such a change in values does not happen instantly or easily, nor is it ever complete for any of us. It is a matter of life-long conversion under the direction of the Spirit.
They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love | Pastor H. Julian Gordy
May 3, 2020 (4th Sunday of Easter)
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Reading: The early Christian community shares all their money and possessions with one another; Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
Still today our Christian communities are called to be places where we obviously love one another, so much that people can look at us and know we are Christians by our love. In these days of separation we are living in now, some of us are recognizing anew the importance of Jesus' beloved community.
God Cares About Physical Needs (and We Should Too) | Pastor Katherine Museus Dabay
April 29, 2020 (Wednesday Meditation)
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Reading: The resurrected Jesus cooks his disciples breakfast.
Have you ever noticed how many stories in the Bible involve FOOD? When the prophets talk about a future day when God makes everything right, they describe a world where everyone has enough to eat. Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God as a feast. We'll talk about a story in which the resurrected Christ appears to his disciples, and he cooks them breakfast on the beach. (Pretty sweet, right?) And, we'll think about what these stories mean for those of us who are trying to carry on God's mission today.