Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 ‘The Problem of Evil’ I want to talk today about the problem of evil. A heavy, exhausting topic I know. But, in my honest reading of the scripture for today, there is no other place to go. As an aside, I was lamenting earlier this week that I wish the texts for the summer months were […]
Worship for July 12, 2020
Matthew 13:1-9 “To Sow and Cultivate” I want to start by saying, somewhere along the way, probably in seminary, I was told that no preacher preaches a sermon that she does not need to hear herself. That has always rang true for me, though I usually don’t realize it until I am literally standing and preaching that […]
Worship for June 28, 2020
Exodus 15:22-27 “God’s Promise” When we think about the Exodus story, we often think about wilderness. Moses, answering an unexpected and unwanted call from God, led the Israelite people out into the desert, wandering for 40 years until they could find freedom from their slavery in Egypt. The Exodus story is full of important, foundational stories for all […]
Worship for June 21, 2020
Genesis 1 “God Rejoiced!” In the First Testament of our Holy Scriptures, the story begins quite simply. The earth was a formless void, covered in shadow. God swept over the void and created light. God saw that the light was good. God then created the sky and the land, and called them good. God then created the plants, and called them […]
Worship for June 14, 2020
Revelation 21:1-6 “Making All Things New” The book of Revelation has always seemed to get a bad rap in mainline Protestant churches. Too long associated with the fire and brimstone preachers of the revivalist movement, we tend to ignore this conclusion to the Holy Bible. It is a difficult book to contend with on the surface. John’s Revelation is […]
June 7, 2020
Exodus 3:1-6, 10-15 “The Power of a Name” I hesitated with my decision to continue with our special June series focusing on our National Parks. I came up with the theme and wrote the plans back in April. I wanted to give us a month of what I call, ‘fluffy’ worship. I wanted to create a month when we […]
Worship for May 31, 2020
Acts 2:1-12 “What Does This Mean?” “What does this mean?” I stopped the scripture there this morning, even though typically on Pentecost Sunday we keep reading. We pass quickly over the question, “What does this mean?” and keep reading about the disciple Peter’s idea of what it means. We keep reading and chuckle when those who were speaking […]
Worship for May 24, 2020
You can find the transcript of the worship service here: https://ucctcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Eastertide-Service-2020-Read-Only.pdf
Worship for May 17, 2020
John 14:15-21 ‘2020 Commencement Address’ It’s spring. It’s a time for planting and blooming. It is a time of reemergence and beginnings. There are several rituals and traditions that take place in spring, but I think there is one that stands out. Graduation. Spring is a time for learners all around the world to celebrate an accomplishment. To receive recognition for achieving […]
Worship for May 10, 2020
John 14:1-14 “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled” Two months ago today, the members and friends of First Congregational Church gathered in our sanctuary for worship. Church felt typical. I announced we would be extending our flu season precautions of fist-bumps instead of handshakes during the Passing of the Peace. A practice that we were already doing, […]