Sermons on reaching in love (Page 9)
Detroit/Beatriz at Dinner
On the last Sunday of the worship series, Faith & Films, Matt relates Detroit and Beatriz at Dinner to the scripture Matthew 14.13-21. Both of these films convey very raw and powerful messages which can easily leave us feeling overwhelmed. Can you look to those around you and consider them your brothers and sisters? May we be the change to break down the walls and build up bridges and to create beloved community together.
Hidden Figures
Linda’s message weaves the acclaimed film Hidden Figures with Paul’s letter to early Christians in Rome (Romans 8.12-25). Hidden Figures shares the story of three female, African-American mathematicians who serve a critical role in the early years of NASA space program. Their lives were often hidden from the powers that be. The math they uncovered was also hidden from other scientists of their time. Just has God was moving through these hidden figures, God was also moving through a hidden…
Wonder Woman
This week in the worship series Faith & Films, Linda takes us through the recent film, Wonder Woman. Rooted in Zechariah 9.9-12, Linda tells the story of a young warrior who wants for peace, similar to Yahweh’s march to the Temple. God reminds us that the world needs to be saved and that we need to be there to follow.
All-Vulnerable God
Matt’s message is rooted in Matthew 9.35-10.8 and Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance: Trinity and Your Transformation. On this Father’s Day, we’re invited to rethink the power of God as powerlessness & love. How might the vulnerability of God restore us to community and call us to invite others into the Divine Dance?
The Rumbling Continued…
Matt’s message is rooted in John 14. 15-21. Jesus promises the disciples that God will not leave them orphaned. God is sending the Holy Spirit as another paraclete, or helper, to accompany them. How might this promise guide us in rumbling with the stories of our lives as we Rise Strong in and through God’s love?
The Rumble
Linda’s message is rooted in John 14.1-14. Linda draws upon the writing of Brené Brown to invite reflection on how we might rumble with the emotions & stories that arise when we find ourselves face down in the arena. Jesus promises to share the truth with his followers. How might we uncover the truth of our own lives by rumbling with the stories we tell ourselves about our disappointments and failures?
Palm Sunday: Silence is Not an Option
Palm Sunday at The Table focuses on the parody & street theater of Jesus processing into Jerusalem atop a donkey and her colt. Matt’s message is rooted in Matthew 21.1-11 and invites us to join the march for love, justice, & hope by raising our voices in support of Bishop Karen Oliveto. #allmeansall #tobishopkowithlove #nosuchlaw
Rethink John 3:16
Linda’s message challenges us to rethink John 3.16 in context; Nicodemus coming to Jesus in the night (John 3.1-17).
Compassion
Matt’s message is rooted in Isaiah 49.8-16. Isaiah writes, “Can a woman forget her nursing child?” God loves us even more deeply than any mother could love her nursing child. This means God needs us. God needs you. Not just abstractly, but intimately.
Holy
Linda’s message is rooted in Leviticus 19: 1-18. To be Holy is to seek God in all things that we do. May we seek to love others just as God loves us each and every day.
Controversy
Matt’s message is rooted in Micah 6: 1-8. In this chapter, God brings from the shadows into the light a great controversy with the people. What does the Lord require? We look back at the prophet Micah to discern how God might call us today to doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.
Light
Matt’s message is rooted in Isaiah 9.1-4. The people of God in Isaiah’s time found themselves in a “land of deep darkness.” Matt draws upon the prophetic witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Valarie Kaur to invite us to see parallels in our day. Valarie asks, “what if the darkness isn’t the darkness of a tomb, but the darkness of a womb?”