Sermons on Faith
Don’t Give Up
Life can leave us weary—tired of waiting, tired of struggling, and tired of trying to do what is right in a world that can feel resistant to hope. Yet God does not grow weary, and God gives strength to those who NEED IT. Isaiah assures us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, while Acts shows a courageous church that refused to stop bearing witness despite opposition. Minister Lea Gilmore invites us to rest in God’s…
At the Threshold
Rev. Andries Coetzee’s sermon “At the Threshold” discusses 1 Samuel 9 and Ephesians 2. He discusses sacred searching, unexpected leadership, holy humor and resilience, liminal threshold spaces, and celebrating rich diversity (Ubuntu / Tutu’s Rainbow People).
Some Things You’ve Got to Pray Through
In Matthew 17:14–21, Jesus reminds His disciples that some struggles cannot be solved by strength, strategy, or effort alone—they must be prayed through. In this powerful message, “Some Things You’ve Got to Pray Through,” Minister Lea Gilmore invites us to trust God more deeply in seasons of weakness, waiting, and uncertainty. When life feels overwhelming and answers seem delayed, prayer becomes the place where God strengthens us, sustains us, and meets us with grace.
The Slow Work of God
Reverend Khristi Lauren Adams preaches from Habakkuk 2:2-23 on “The Slow Work of God.” This sermon explores the spiritual and emotional journey of embracing patience and trust in the slow, often difficult, unfolding of God’s plans, drawing on a 1915 Jesuit prayer and the biblical book of Habakkuk. It reveals the tension between human impatience and divine timing, encouraging perseverance and faith amidst trials and injustice.
Light and Darkness
Rev. David Harris explores the often misunderstood symbolism of light and darkness, challenging the conventional binary view of light as good and darkness as evil. Drawing from biblical texts such as Genesis and Psalms, and insights from theologians like Paul Tillich, Richard Rohr, and Carl Jung, the speaker reframes darkness not as malevolent but as the absence of light—representing lack of understanding rather than inherent evil. Darkness is essential for recognizing the divine presence and comprehending unity in creation.
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Inspired by the Blind Willie Johnson gospel blues classic Nobody’s Fault but Mine, this sermon by Minister Lea Gilmore reflects on God’s grace, personal discipleship, and the call to respond faithfully to Christ. Rooted in the African American gospel tradition and Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the message reminds us that while God’s grace is freely given, we are invited to choose lives of justice, compassion, and hope.
What Matters and Why?
What really matters and why? In this sermon, Rev. Khristi Adams reflects on Jesus’ command to “love one another” through the lens of John 13. As Jesus washes his disciples’ feet on the night before his crucifixion, we’re reminded that the heart of the Christian faith isn’t perfection, it’s choosing to love one another through all of life’s messiness. This message invites us to see the communities God has given us as the places where love is lived out every…
Let It Go
Rev. Khristi Lauren Adams delivers a reflective and spiritually grounded sermon on the challenge of letting go, using the metaphor of hoarding disorder and the biblical story of Lot’s wife to explore the psychological and emotional difficulties involved in releasing attachments—both physical and emotional.
Here We Are Lord!
We welcome Rev. Laura Ingersol back to the pulpit, preaching on the theme: We are people who follow Jesus, and we are equipped for justice work. Hear the Word, grounded in the prayer that God will use each of us for love, hope, and transformation.
As I Depart
Pastor Ron’s final sermon as Govans’ interim pastor offers both spiritual encouragement and a call to faithful action, inviting believers to embody love, courage, and hope in the face of adversity. At its heart is the enduring conviction that God’s light will overcome the darkness.
The Long Road Ahead
The road ahead for today’s church leaders is a long one, but it is doable with God’s help. It calls for open ears, humble hearts, strength, patience, and resilience.
Beyond the Tension of Advent
Drawing on Matthew’s account of the Christ’s birth, Pastor Ron highlights Joseph’s turmoil over Mary’s pregnancy, God’s intervention in a dream, and Joseph’s obedient, tradition-breaking role in naming Jesus. Conflict and turmoil often precede miracles and that God meets us within the tension in our lives.