Sermons on Faith

Sermons on Faith

Words of Encouragement for the Pastoral Transition

In our story today, Jesus pauses on his way to heal a little girl so that he can attend to a desperate woman. During the pause the little girl dies, but Jesus then raises her from death. Pastor Tom reflects on how we as a church never stop our ministry but sometimes we do have to take time to focus on immediate needs that demand our attention. Doing so faithfully, positively, and gratefully will result in us doing greater things…

The Family You Choose

Minister Lea Gilmore preaching on Ruth 1:1-17 focusing on “chosen family.” From October 15, 2023.

Loving An Invisible God

The instruction to love God is central to both the Jewish and Christian faiths. So, how do we do it? How do we love a God who is invisible and completely beyond our comprehension? Pastor Tom reflects on this question by comparing how loving a person is the same as loving God and how it is different. In many ways, it is quite different and yet, if we practice our love for God we will improve the ways we love…

We Never Stop Growing in our Faith

The story of Jacob wrestling with God is a classic initiation story. Jacob seperates, faces challenges, gains a new identity, and reintegrates. We go through initiations all the time including puberty, moving out, finding a partner, becoming a parent, and many more. Through it all God is with us and through it all our understanding of God and our faith can grow along with us. We are always invited into deeper understandings and a deeper relationship with God. -Pastor Tom’s…
Clouds at Sunset

Grieve with Hope by Knowing the Author of Our Story

There is no wrong way to grieve. We can prepare for times of grief by nurturing our relationship with the author of our story; the story of our life and of our common human existence. The second coming of Christ and the rapture are details in one understanding of the story but not critical to our faith. Nurturing a relationship with God as the author of life, can help us to grieve with hope and ease our suffering.

Embracing Joy and Living a Persistent Faith

Minister Lea Gilmore discusses I Thessalonians 3:6-13 as a call to live a persistent faith, embrace joy in living, and dedicate ourselves to doing good in the world. You (Yes, you!) are a beautiful child of God whose good works impact us all. Let’s receive it and believe it.

Mountaintop Moments

When’s the last time you experienced a “mountain top” moment? How do you carry those moments of inspiration into the everyday habits of your life? This Sunday, Pastor Billy will preach on the transfiguration story from Matthew chapter 17, verses one to nine. We’ll talk about moments of transfiguration and the longer work of transformation.

Getting Off The Hamster Wheel of Worry

We all know that worrying is unproductive and unhealthy. We know we should worry less. Jesus makes that clear. Common wisdom makes that clear. But, how do we stop? Pastor Tom suggest three practices. The last being the one Jesus says we should do first, but even that one needs some unpacking.

Four Components of a Healthy Faith

The story of Jesus is the wilderness give us a caricature of faith. We are not meant to imitate Jesus’s 40 day fast, but Matthew uses the story to show us in stark relief the key components of a healthy faith. Oh and what about the devil?

Consenting to God

Minister Lea Gilmore preaching on the themes of baptism by water, fire, and the Holy Spirit based on Matthew 3:1-17. How are we called to consent to God?
Bible

Claim, Name, and Provide a Frame for Christ

The familiar Christmas story gives two examples of how people may relate to Christ. Mary knows Christ intimately within her body. Joseph must take a leap of faith to choose to be in relationship with Christ. When life or the world in general seems so filled with trouble, we may learn the most from Joseph as he takes the leap and claims Christ as his own, names Christ for himself, and provides a frame so that Christ can be shared…
  • 1
  • 2