First be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:21-37 is the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus exhorts his followers to embrace standards of righteousness that exceed legal requirements and traditional expectations. Much of today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten commandments. Jesus’ instructions to…
A Place of Grace
Sermons (Page 23)
Today’s Gospel reading, which includes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-20), shows Jesus encouraging his followers to be the” salt of the earth” and the “light of the world”. What does it mean to be the salt of the earth? As salt flavors our food, God flavors us with His grace and forgiveness. And…
The Beatitudes. Living right-side-up in an upside-down world. Pastor Beth asked us, ‘What does it mean to be blessed?’. Also, ‘What is the opposite of being blessed?’. Who are the blessed ones of God and how does it all work with God? Are the Beatitudes things we need to do to be blessed by God. …
Called to be fishers of people not keepers of the aquarium. Matthew 4:12-23 tells how Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. ‘What’s the deal with fishing?,’ Pastor Eric asked. You throw out the net and hopefully get good fish. You can catch and release fish. Jesus…
In today’s Gospel (John 1:29-42), upon seeing Jesus, John the Baptist declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus was the Lamb slain as a sacrifice, and in doing so Jesus saved the whole world. Pastor Eric asked if we are the people of the Lamb, then…
According to Matthew 3:13-17, before Jesus begins his ministry, he is baptized by John the Baptist, touched by the Spirit and identified publicly as God’s child. Pastor Eric brought up three questions from today’s gospel to Vicki L. and was surprised that she had answers to all three. So he asked Vicki if she would…
This Sunday, the Epiphany of Our Lord, we celebrated the revelation of Christ to all nations with Lesson and Carols. New angels joined Gabriel on the Art Wall, heralding, “Jesus is here!”. A bright and perfect image of Jesus appeared as well. Each member of the congregation was shining like a diamond, wearing or carrying…
On this First Sunday of Christmas, our service was filled with Lessons and Carols that told the story of the birth of Christ Jesus through scripture readings and music. We lifted our voices to celebrate the fulfillment of what was spoken through the angel Gabriel, whose image was presented on the altar wall for all…
For those of you who may have missed our Christmas Eve Services, here is the Audio of the complete service, including all music and all readings. The audio runs through to the final dismissal “Go in peace. Be kind. Share the good news – Christ is born! Thanks be to God!” Be patient as you…
This Sunday’s Gospel reading was Matthew 1:18-25 which is the story of Jesus’ birth focusing on the role of Joseph, who adopts the divinely-begotten child into the family of David and obediently gives him the name Jesus, which means “God saves”. Pastor Eric read a story he had written of the birth of his two…