Sermons from 2019 (Page 3)

Sermons from 2019 (Page 3)

What Would Jesus Do?

WWJD was a popular acronym from the mid-90’s that stood for What Would Jesus Do? It was printed on bracelets and bumper stickers and sold to youth all over the country to help them think about making good choices while growing into a young adult. This Sunday, we will look at a different question in Luke 9: 51-62, “What would Jesus NOT do? ……  Luke 9: 51-62. 

Change of Heart

Demons, swine, tombstones… It may sound like the making of a bad horror movie, but these are all part of the Gospel Lesson for this Sunday. In Luke 8: 26-39, we meet the “Gerasene demoniac.” A man who is tormented by demons …… What is possessing you? What do you suffer from? What is holding you hostage to the point that you feel as if you cannot break free? We all need what Jesus offers… to be seen, accepted, welcomed,…

Annual Church Picnic

As we try to decide whether or not to move the picnic location for Sunday, I am reminded of the Old Testament Book of Job, when Job demands that his questions be answered by God. God turns the tables and responds to Job’s demands in the 38th chapter by asking him these questions: “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may…

UP, UP, and AWAY

This Sunday we celebrate milestones! We welcome to the First Reformed UCC family, Maria Cruz, and her 3 children, Jasmin, Alyson, and Lucas; Marge Doty; Joe Kiser; Stacy and Billy West, Emma and Sam. We will also recognize and honor graduates of all ages. People ask me at times, “Why is it important to join a church? How is that different from just showing up?” Some reasons are very practical: Members can vote – on issues like calling a pastor…

Surprise: Detours Ahead

How do you know what God wants you to do? Sometimes we have a definite idea of what we believe, our purpose, our plan in life. In Acts 16: 9-15, Paul is certain he is supposed to go one place to share the message of Christ, but then he senses God calling him in a different direction… Way different. He and his companion, Silas, make the journey into new territory and they meet someone totally unexpected… Lydia. She is a…

Surprises in Faith and Fashion

Surprise! The Unexpected Acts of God: Where Fashion Meets Faith. In Acts 9: 36-46, with Jesus no longer around, Peter and the disciples are left on their own. Not knowing what else to do, Peter begins to imitate what he has learned from Jesus. From this, the Church is ultimately born. When people see you — in the grocery story, at work, uptown — will they see that you are imitating Jesus? What about your words and actions, your social…

Surprise: Unexpected Company

“Unexpected Company” we hear the story of how Saul becomes the Apostle Paul, and how the Holy Spirit makes an eternal bond between two natural enemies. Think of someone whom you would never imagine inviting to your home…. The kind of person you least expect to befriend…. Watch out! The Holy God who breaks through barriers, may just have some surprises in store for you…….  Acts 9: 7-20. 

An Idle Tale?

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: …….  Luke:24: 6-12. 

The Passion According to St. Luke

Holy Week begins. We will tell the “old, old story” that is central to our faith: The last week of Jesus’ life… His entry into Jerusalem, his betrayal, arrest, interrogation, and crucifixion as a criminal. We tell of the sting of death… we tell the story so we will remember…. …There is no Resurrection without the Crucifixion. …There is no Triumph without Suffering, …no Crown without a Cross, and there is… no new life without death.  Luke:22,23.