Sermons on John (Page 5)
This Is Us (Peter)
Linda’s message is rooted in John 21.1-20. Peter denies Jesus three times in John by saying, “I AM not.” While Peter denies his own identity three times, the Risen One recognizes Peter for who he is and claims him for a life of discipleship. How might we claim our identities as faithful disciples of the Risen One?
This Is Us (Thomas)
Pastors Linda and Matt invite reflection on the courage of Thomas to speak up about his longing to see & touch the Risen One. How do you want the Risen One to show up? Where are you feeling the peace the Risen One offers in your own life?
Costs
Linda’s message is rooted in the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with oil in John 12.1-8. What is the cost of discipleship? How might we move from a worldview confined by scarcity to an embrace of abundance?
Heart/Feeling Triad (2, 3, 4)
Pastor Matt’s message is rooted in John 2.1-11 & invites reflection the the Heart/Feeling Triad (2, 3, 4) from the Enneagram. Our worship series draws on Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile’s The Road Back to You. Here is a link to information on the book.
Anchored in Communion
Matt’s message is rooted in John 6.56-71. How might we sustain our relationship with God through Christ by breaking bread — sharing carbs from heaven?
Bread of Freedom
Rev. Debbie Weatherspoon’s message is rooted in John 6.51-58. The bread of freedom sustained Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and God invites us to taste of this same bread today.
Bread from Heaven
Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes into me will never be thirsty” (John 6.35). Linda’s message invites reflection on the ways John 6.35, 41-51 is rooted in Exodus 16 and challenges us to wonder about the ways God might be sending us bread from heaven today.
Dinner is Ready
Linda & Cesca’s message is grounded in John 3:24-35 and Jesus’ saying, “I am the bread of life.” What does it mean to “believe into” Jesus as we receive the bread of life? How might we allow communion to break through our isolation and invite us into the “real presence” of Christ?
Sit Down
Matt’s message holds the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6.1-21) in conversation with Mama Cat and the Pot Bangerz in St. Louis. Jesus and Mama Cat see the needs of those in their midst and call them to sit down in preparation for breaking bread.
Trinity as Divine Dance…Work it!
Matt’s message for Trinity Sunday is rooted in John 3.1-17. What are our conscious and unconscious images of God? How might Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in John 3 guide us toward more evocative and faithful images of God? Matt’s reflection weaves writings from Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance with the work on intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Here is a link to Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk in 2016. Here is a link to the band Matt encountered while visiting the National…
Easter Sunrise
We celebrated the Baptism of 2 adults & 3 children as we gathered for Easter worship at sunrise in the Rose Garden at McKinley Park. Matt’s Easter Sunrise message is rooted in the resurrection story from John’s Gospel in which the Risen One calls Mary by name and she recognizes him. What difference might God’s calling us by name make in our lives this Easter?
Holy Friday
Pastor Chris’s Holy Friday message is rooted in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion from John 18-19.