- https://youtu.be/ZxVJDgTLOIA The Glory of the Cross Mark 8: 31 – 35 (preached February 28, 2021) When Jesus speaks to the disciples in our passage for today from Mark, he doesn’t sugarcoat the trouble that lies ahead. He says he will have to go through suffering, rejection, even death before he rises again. Peter doesn’t want to hear it. “O Lord!” he says. “Nothing like this will happen to you!” But Jesus wastes no time setting Peter straight. He says, “Satan has got... [read more]
Sermons
- https://youtu.be/eKfnPAsm33o The Temptation of Apathy Mark 1: 9 – 15 (preached February 21, 2021) The church season of Lent is a time to examine ourselves and our lives. It’s a time for each of us to ask ourselves, am I living by the just and loving ways of God? It’s a time for each of us to make changes where we need to, to follow in God’s ways. On this first Sunday of Lent, we hear Mark’s account of what Jesus endured right after his baptism. Mark uses very few w... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/g1KfPUMrfzI Who’s in Charge? Numbers 11: 10 – 17 (preached on February 14, 2021) When I was ten years old, my family took a car trip out west. I’m the youngest of four kids, so, with my parents, that made six people packed into a Ford station wagon, with all our stuff plus camping gear. It was close quarters and, as we rode along, tensions would sometimes mount. We kids would start complaining. My... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/TCbdqXK5vuE Preview YouTube video Reflection of Feeding of 5000 in Mark "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" Margaret Bonds Maria Ferrante, Soprano Joyce Carpenter-Henderson, Pianist
- https://youtu.be/-IouDP1kAn0 Under New Management Mark 1: 21 – 28 (preached January 31, 2021) For people in Jesus’ day, evil spirits, sometimes called unclean spirits or demons, were a real and lively presence in the world. People believed that those unclean spirits could invade a person’s mind and take control of their actions. Unclean spirits could fill someone full of rage; they could make someone want to harm others or themselves. In our passage... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/RitOx42KC1w The Art of Listening Jonah 3: 1 – 5, 10 (preached on January 24, 2021) In our passage for today from the Hebrew Scriptures, we find two examples of good listening. First, Jonah listens to what God is calling him to do. Second, the people of Nineveh listen to Jonah. In both cases, when people listen well, they become more in tune with the loving ways of God. If you know the story of Jonah, you know that Jonah did not alwa... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/VrRLGu5JMjs Septima, Dorothy, and Ella John 1: 43 – 51 (preached on January 17, 2021) In our gospel passage for today, from John, Jesus calls the two disciples Philip and Nathanael. Philip is eager to sign on to follow Jesus. He’s heard about Jesus from his friends Andrew and Simon. They were all from the village of Bethsaida. But Nathanael is from Cana. When he hears about Jesus of Nazareth, he’s skeptical. You see, Nazareth and Cana were r... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/Vea3k4h_HlI Filled with the Spirit Mark 1: 4 – 11 (preached January 10, 2021) “You are my son, whom I dearly love; you make me very glad.” How wonderful to hear those words, spoken to Jesus after his baptism. How wonderful for you and me, as followers of Jesus, to know that because of him, those words are also spoken to us. When we follow Jesus, our lives are woven into the ongoing story of his life. When we follow Jesus, we realize ... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/TIkVA8b99Xs Gifts for a King Matthew 2: 1 – 12 This past week, we celebrated New Year’s Day: a day to watch football, visit with friends, or just recover from the festivities of the night before. This year, instead of gathering with friends, maybe you visited with friends on line, thanks to the wonder of Zoom and similar video communication tools. Whether your New Year’s Day involved football or a Zoom call, I hope it was enjoyable. When I was growing up, every New ... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/ho80zCHU3DA The Face of Love The Face of Love John 1: 1 – 5; 10 – 18 (preached on December 27, 2020) Like a lot of proud grandmothers, for years I’ve covered my refrigerator door with photos of my kids and grandkids. A few years ago, I added a different kind of photo to the display. It’s the kind that wasn’t available till recently. It’s a print out of the ultrasound my son ... [read more]
- https://youtu.be/tJlhOoYBSZA "O Holy Night" - Adolphe Adam Maria Ferrante, Soprano
- https://youtu.be/b-daXVhmdXg Receiving the Gift Luke 1: 26 – 38 (preached December 20, 2020) In just a few days, with twinkling trees, tasty treats, and glittering packages, we’ll celebrate Christmas. For sure our Christmas celebrations will be different this year. Because the corona virus continues to rage, many of us will be staying close to home. We may not be traveling to gather with family. For many of us, it will be a difficult year. But here’s the wonder of Christmas: ... [read more]