Sermons on Relationships
“To Put the Protest Back in Protestantism”
“To Put the Protest Back in Protestantism” is inspired from church historian Diana Butler Bass’s provocative essay on the radical origins of the Reformation where she reminds us that Martin Luther and the early reformers were not necessarily polite; they were protesters who stood up against religious conventions in thrall to power, challenging systems of oppression and economic cruelty to embody God’s tangible bounty for all. Grounded in Matthew 22:34–46, our worship wrestles with the Great Commandment: to love God…
Telling Our Stories
Speakers Susan Saunders, Charese Jordan, and Ramon Lindsay discuss confronting racism through vulnerable storytelling within a church community. Centered on personal narratives spanning decades, they seek to foster understanding across racial lines and promote collective healing and justice. They share childhood and adult memories of experiencing racism, highlighting both overt violence and subtle systemic inequities. They encourage us to engage in honest conversations, build trusting relationships, and take active steps toward dismantling racism—not as a one-time discussion but as an…
Community
Rev. David Harris explores the Interconnectedness of Success and Community. Angela Duckworth’s book Bringing Out Your Best reveals that perseverance alone is insufficient for success. True thriving depends deeply on the support system of others—teachers, mentors, family, friends, colleagues, and community. Our achievements are shaped by our environment and the collective network that sustains us.
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…
Jesus, the Uninvited Guest
Pastor Ron delivers a reflective and motivational message centered on the biblical story of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, as an illustration of how Jesus unexpectedly enters lives and invites transformation. The theme revolves around Jesus as an uninvited but loving guest who repeatedly shows up in surprising ways, urging individuals to repent, change direction, and open their hearts.
The Gift of Curiosity – Part II
The idea of a couple as old as Elizabeth having a child provoked amazement and disbelief from Zechariah, while or the idea of a young virgin becoming pregnant provoked a different reaction from Mary: CURIOSITY. Doubt and disbelief will ultimately diminish our faith in God, while Godly curiosity and wonder will feed and nurture our faith.
The Gift of Curiosity – Part I
John the Baptist provoked a response from the Jewish crowds who came to him hoping to draw nearer to God under the presumption that they were already in right-relationship with God because of their ancestor Abraham. John the Baptist provokes curiosity in the hearts of people, reminding them of that in order to be in right relationship with God, you must be in right-relationship with the children of God. The crowds were given a gift of curiosity provoking a curious…
Words Matter
Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that the tongue can bring about death or life – for ourselves, as well as for others. As Christian believers, we must always be mindful of both our spoken, as well as our unspoken words. Sometimes, unspoken words can speak louder the words spoken. – Rev. Dr. Ron Hankins sermon from September 15, 2024.
It’s All About Mercy and Kindness
In the Old Testament book of Micah the question is asked, what does the Lord require of us? As children of God, we are to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:6-8). However in the parable of the Good Samaritan, we observe how easy it can be to squander opportunities to be a blessing to those who are in need of assistance. Pastor Ron discusses how displays of compassion, mercy and kindness towards…
“Provoking Good, Fair-Minded, Hardworking People”
Jesus tells this story of the Laborers in the Vineyard in a way that intentionally challenges and provokes good, fair-minded, hardworking people. In doing so he calls us to reconsider whose voices we welcome to the table. We are called to stop privileging the voices of those who have been around doing all the work in the church and instead privilege voices who have just arrived or even those who have not come in yet. We might also reconsider if…
Bad News, Good News, and Finding the Blessing
What are we willing to lose to serve God and our neighbor? In this sermon, we continue discussing the stories of early leaders in our faith as we turn toward Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarh in Genesis 12:1-9. We talk about all of God’s promises to Abram, as well as the many things God challenges Abram to let go of.
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