Sermons on Forgiveness
Beware the Ides of March
Chaplain Annie Owens’ sermon from March 15, reminds us to stay vigilant in faith and guard against spiritual drift, greed, and false teachings. Reflecting on the idea of the “Ides of March,” she noted that times of crisis can become moments of awakening and transformation. Her message pointed to the hope found in a renewed faith in Jesus Christ, strengthened through forgiveness, mercy, community support, and honest self-awareness.
He Looks Beyond Our Faults
Jesus forgives and reinstates Peter to serve the church, even after Peter denies Jesus Christ three times. This is yet another example of God’s tremendous love and grace towards us, looking beyond our faults and addressing our needs. – Rev. Dr. Ron Hankins’ sermon from May 4, 2025.
Forgive us Our…?
We turn this week to the most confusing part of the Lord’s Prayer, forgive us our…What? Sins? Trespasses? Debts? Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us is important because it covers a multitude of sins (ba-dum ching!). Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us could also work really well in our world today as we constantly struggle with good emotional and physical boundaries. Yet, forgive us our debts, as we…
People Change, But You Can’t Change Them
As we ready the story of the Apostle Paul’s radical change (conversion), we will reflect on how to best respond when we feel people we love need to change due to the harm they are doing to themselves or others. There is no simple answer and set of instructions, but it involves setting good boundaries, accepting them for exactly who they are, AND seeing them for who they are called to be.
We Are Beloved, Our Enemies Are, Too.
Daniel in the lion’s den is a beloved Bible story, but what does it teach us about loving our neighbors and enemies, too? Pastor Billy talks about lions and tigers, and being the beloved community to everyone we meet, including our enemies.