Sermons on Ruth
We Can’t Go Alone
One of life’s most essential lessons is that we are never meant to go alone. And yet, modern culture pushes us more and more into lonely silos. If Ruth had followed her culture’s norms, she would have gone home to her family of origin after her husband died, but instead, she commits herself to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Together they form a new family and covenant. Ruth and Naomi travel together to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, foreshadowing…
Ruth the Moabite Other
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kuan’s message weaves the migration story of Ruth with his own migration story.
Hey You!
Matt’s message invites reflection on Ruth 4. Mieke Bal writes, “The point of Ruth is not hesed, the typical female virtue, but hutzpah — willingness to challenge, or better, stretch inadequate social/legal norms in the direction of greater justice and more voice to the deprived. The highest virtue is high-minded transgressive action designed to further growth not to undermine the system.” How might the hutzpah of Naomi & Ruth, and the subversive masculine strength of Boaz inspire & challenge us today?
PG-13?
Biblical scholar Phyllis Trible writes, “One female has chosen another female in a world where life depends upon men. There is no more radical decision in all the memories of Israel.” Linda’s message on Chapter 3 of Ruth invites reflection on the layers of meaning and the sexual innuendos deployed by the authors of this often neglected chapter from the Hebrew bible. How might God be calling us to risk in our daily lives?
Naomi My Homie
Joey Torres, a member of our community of faith and doctoral student at UC Davis, shares a message on identity & boundaries in relationship to his own life and Ruth. The focus of this message is on Ruth 2.
Push. Pull.
This is the first week in a four-week worship series on the book of IOur Co-Pastors were abel to study with Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy last winter and this worship series is rooted in his critical reflection on Ruth. Matt’s message on Ruth 1 invites us into the story of Ruth and challenges us to consider who we might be seeing as a stranger, or enemy. Who are we making other, when God sees them as beloved? Worship this morning includes original…
Sexuality
Matt’s message invites reflection on faith & sexuality.
Hosting Difference
Emily Sheldon witnesses to her own experiences with hospitality and special needs. Dr. Steed Davidson’s message celebrates God’s gift of difference through the lens of the book of Ruth.