Sermons on Hope
The Sacred Pause
When we rush through a doorway, we miss what God is doing in the crossing. This summer, Melissa Kirsch of The New York Times talked about slack water, the brief pause in the tidal cycle when the tide has finished coming in and has not yet begun to pull back out. The wind may still blow, and the surface may still ripple, yet beneath it all, the current rests. Even when life stirs around us, we can find that rest…
The Courage We Forget
This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Sunday. We remember siblings who have gone before us and the full stories of their lives, their struggles alongside their courage. Pastor Dries meditates on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1–12, and “The Courage We Forget” and reminds you to give thanks for the saints in your own story, and discover how their courage might shape ours today.
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…
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.
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.
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.
An Opportunity to Testify
“Is God good all the time?” Amidst the presence of suffering, injustice, and hardship in the world, God’s goodness is constant. Despite the brokenness of the world, we are encouraged as believers to maintain faith and endurance during difficult times.
A Resilient Faith
Pastor Ron reflects on what it means to have a resilient faith—a faith that endures life’s challenges, leans on God’s strength, and grows stronger through every season.
A Faith That Sustains Us Through Difficult Times
A wise person once said, if mountains were smooth, we wouldn’t be able to climb them; they are jagged and difficult for a reason. As we witness the many difficult and sometimes horrific events occurring in the world around us, let us remember those who have gone before us, who were commended for their faith in the midst of extremely difficult times; although they did not immediately receive all of what was promised, God had something better in mind, so…
This Season of Hope
Summertime is often referred to as a “season of hope.” It is a time when the earth awakens, flowers bloom, and life returns in full force. However, as we reflect on the world around us, we find ourselves surrounded by darkness and despair. Minister Lea Gilmore explores how we can believe in hope despite the challenges we face, drawing from the powerful words of scripture.
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