Sermons

First Sunday of Lent Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PS9qKutuTI

We still do this today. When we feel anxious, vulnerable, or alone, we make false gods for ourselves to make ourselves feel better. We cling to things we should not for security, and worship people and created things in the place of God. Ex. 24:15-18; 32: 1-6; Matt. 17:1-9 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzku__39Dl4

My hope is that you will recognize in at least one of these options the way that you are salty, and in so doing, will also appreciate more clearly what you must keep on doing, even if the powers that be and the persecutors of the world argue that you and the world should be salt-free. Lev. 2:11-13; Num. 18:8, 19; Matt. 5:13-16 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc2zhIDUnao

Jesus’ words would have shocked and confused his followers, who, like us, tended to believe that material prosperity and social power were signs of God’s favor. Was Jesus saying, “blessed are the losers” instead of “blessed are the winners”? And the answer is, yes, in a sense. “God does not esteem the powerful and mighty, or grant them special favors,” Jesus insisted. “God blesses the powerless, the suffering, and those who want justice and righteousness in the world more tha

This is the Gospel way: inclusion not exclusion, connection and caring, not separation and judgment. God has no interest in reinforcing the walls humans create to separate ourselves or make ourselves feel superior. Acts 8:26-40; Genesis 4:1-16 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70NGVMRHQCk

But you cannot make the sovereign creator of the whole universe and savior of humanity through Jesus Christ take these gifts back by threatening God with a hair dryer or hanging a certificate on your wall. In baptism God makes a promise to you with the hope you will acknowledge it with gratitude and service. But if you do not, that does not undo God’s promise, because it is not a conditional promise; it is a gift. Matthew 3:13-17; 2 Kings 5:1-19 Link: https://www.youtube.com

Even though God gives us the ability to have wisdom, if we want to become wise, we still have to seek wisdom. Matthew 2:1-12 ; Proverbs 2:1-15 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Felip6057-E

John 1:1-14 Rev. Dottie LaPenta Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMgDXQ6TLs

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAwDCM7ZrkM

Joseph teaches us that we never truly know what a critical part we play in the unfolding story of God’s redeeming love in the world. More people play almost invisible parts, like Joseph, than play famously miraculous parts like Mary. Psalm 36:5-9; Matt. 1:18-25 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXvyppLyX-8