Sermons by Rev. Kelly Love
Being Comfortable In Our Own Skin
John’s gospel begins by telling us that “the Word became flesh and lived among us.” (John 1:14) Reflecting on the gospel of John, preaching professor Karoline Lewis writes: “This is a full sensory Gospel. Sometimes it’s tasting (John 6), sometimes it’s smelling (John 11), sometimes it’s hearing (John 10), sometimes it’s touching (John 13:23), and sometimes it is seeing. This is what it means to be human and to experience relationships as human beings. A full, intimate, meaningful relationship will…
Revealed Through Nonviolence
Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. As we enter this new series, we study what is central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant…
Protection and Care for the Vulnerable
Jesus was a first-century Jew, and our scripture reading this week comes from the Hebrew scriptures that would have shaped Jesus’ own theology and ethics. Our friends at “A Sanctified Art”, who developed our theme for this season, say: “Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the last, the least, and the lost, building upon the mandates of the Hebrew Scriptures to care for the immigrant, widow, and orphan among you.” Retired religious studies professor Heather Anne Thiessen has pulled together some…
The Good News is… All Are Invited
Ash Wednesday at The Table. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804
WHO IS WITH JESUS?
Focus this week is on who is with Jesus, referring to forefathers of Jesus, Moses and Elijah, and the contemporaries of Jesus: Peter, James and John (Jesus’ present), and who “walks alongside” us – from the past and present. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804
WHO IS THIS? JOHN INTRODUCES JESUS
Our scripture reading for this week features John – known as the baptist – introducing Jesus. John suggests two aspects of who Jesus is: “Lamb of God” and “Chosen One.” Later, Simon-Peter and Andrew call Jesus “Rabbi” (“teacher”). Jillian Nelson writes: “What is particularly poignant to me about this passage is that these markers of Jesus’ identity are not used to elevate him above everyone else, making him unapproachable. Instead, Jesus invites his new disciples into participation with him. He…
FEAR DOESN’T STOP US
Matthew 2:1-12, Matthew 2:16-28 (NRSV) Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod…” This detail may seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, we hear the whispers of angels delivering a surprising message: “Do not fear.” In…
EVEN IN OUR FEAR, WE ARE CALLED FORWARD
Luke 1:26-39 (NRSV) When the angel Gabriel breaks into Mary’s life, she responds with confusion, resistance, and fear – and with good reason! The text says that she is “greatly troubled!” And yet, Mary steps forward anyway, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” But notice, Mary’s yes is not immediate and not naïve, it is rooted in her vulnerability, trust, and even survival. The Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee describes…
Clothed in Christ, Not Uniformity
This week’s title is “Clothed in Christ, Not Uniformity” – based on Galatians 3:23-29. In a current socio-political climate that spreads the false narrative that diversity is divisive, the gift of this passage from Paul is (surprisingly) that oneness in Christ breaks down binaries to offer a mosaic rather than a melting pot – retaining diversity and difference while also finding a new oneness.”This is the third in a four-week worship series on the centrality of DEI in our Christ…
Stranger & Neighbor
Our Lenten worship series is inspired by A Sanctified Art and called Everything [In] Between. This worship series will be an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Each weekly sub-theme explores two supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “grief & hope.” We often consider these ideas to be opposing. However, as we explore these concepts within the scriptures, we find nuance and complexity. We find…
