Sermons on reaching in love (Page 14)
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Sermons on reaching in love (Page 14)

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.

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.

Habakkuk

Matt’s message invites reflection on the often overlooked book from the Hebrew bible called Habakkuk. Habakkuk 2.4 says, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Wendell Berry’s  “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” echoes these ancient words: “Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.” How might we be called to “be joyful though we’ve considered all the facts today?

Peace! Be Still!

Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 4.35-41. How might this story of Jesus journeying “just as he is” to the other side as a storm rages call us to engage the storms of our world today? Into the chaos and fear…Jesus calls out: “Peace! Be still!” How might our voices join with his today?

Resist.

Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 2.23-3.6 and the revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. How might we be inspired and challenged by Jesus’s reclaiming of sabbath-keeping as resistance to the religious & political establishment’s desire for stability at the expense of those who are hungry & suffering?

Complicated Relationships

Linda’s message is rooted in Acts 1:13-17, 21-26 & the 2017 Academy nominated film “Lady Bird.”  Relationships are complicated. Whether it is a group of disciples choosing to replace one among their ranks or Lady Bird and her mother, this scripture points to prayer as one of the ways to listen to God’s guidance. When you are in a complicated relationship what guides your choices?  Is there a way in which pausing for prayer this week might inform your next…

Even Them?

Matt’s message holds his conversion experience along the US/Mexico boarder in conversation with Peter’s conversion story from Acts 10. How might we be called to follow the Risen One in crossing boundaries, repairing breaches, and joining with God in taking the crucified down from the cross?

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?

Embracing/Rejecting the Name

Linda’s message is rooted in Acts 4:5-12. The name of Jesus  was initially rejected, but would become the cornerstone.  Lady Bird’s given name is “Christine” yet she rejects this name and gives herself a new name. Linda’s message invites reflection on what it means to claim the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

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.