Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 17)
Embracing Diversity in Gender & Sexuality
Matt’s message holds the story of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8. 26-40 in conversation with Lady Bird’s representation of gender & sexuality. What might scripture have to teach us about embracing diversity in gender and sexuality today?
Wrong Side of the Tracks
Matt’s message is rooted in Acts 4.32-35 & the 2017 Academy nominated film “Lady Bird.” Making real the promises of God’s resurrection power will require us to honestly confront who we are. No myths. No fables. Evil sent the Prince of Peace to his tomb on Friday, but the Risen One got up and kept fighting. May the church, as God’s community that is set apart, be called to do the same.
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?
Promise
Matt’s message is rooted in Jeremiah 31.31-34 & this week’s national student walkout (#enough). The people of God were in the midst of devastating conquest and exile when God spoke a word of promise to Jeremiah. Into their wilderness experience, God promised to make a new covenant by writing the law/teaching on the hearts of the people. What promise might God be writing on our hearts today? What is God saying #enough to in our world today? The day is…
Intervention
No one likes intervention. Intervention is uncomfortable and fraught with fear. Like getting rapped on the knuckles, intervention stings. Matt’s message holds an ancient story of Jesus’ intervening love (Mark 8.31-38) in conversation with Amy Winehouse’s song Rehab and Brené Brown important work on guilt & shame. How might we open to God’s intervening love as we journey through the wilderness of Lent toward rehabilitating our spiritual lives?
Mortality
For the first time in 73 years, Valentine’s Day falls on the same day as Ash Wednesday. What might the story of Valentine teach us about Ash Wednesday as we begin our Lenten journey? Matt’s message on this Ash Wednesday is rooted in the story of Valentine as shared by Godly Play.
From Farm-to-Fork to a Revolution of Love
Matt’s message is rooted in 1 Corinthians 8.1-13. Paul was writing to the church in Corinth about how their relationship with food was standing in opposition to an ethic of love. What might we learn from this ancient letter for our day? What might Paul’s wisdom to the church in Corinth have to teach us about the farm-to-fork movement today?
Toxic Masculinity
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 1.21-28 & invites reflection on disrupting toxic masculinity.
Falling and Rising
Worship on this first Sunday in the season of Christmas is rooted in Luke 2.22-40. Matt & Linda invite reflection on the blessing of the infant Jesus by Simeon & Anna. How might God be calling us into a life of falling and rising?
Entangled
Pastor Matt’s 11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve message is rooted in John 1. 1-14.
I Am Not
The hopes & fears of all the years will be met in a vulnerable child in a little town that is both far away and right here. John was clear he was not the long awaited Messiah and embraced his calling to be a witness. Matt’s Advent message weaves reflections on the story of our church community with readings from Isaiah 61.1-11 and John 1.6-8,19-28. How might grace inspire and shape our call to be witnesses to a new redemption…
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?