Sermons on reaching in love (Page 6)
Spirit
Worship this morning invited the Spirit to guide us in responding to the strengthening of restrictions on LGBTQIA people at this week’s legislative gathering of the United Methodist Church in St. Louis and the District Attorney’s decision regarding the killing of Stephon Clark. Paul writes, “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4.1). What bold faith might the Spirit be stirring in us?
Dress Rehearsal
Linda’s message is rooted in Mary’s Magnificat from Luke 1.46-55. God partners with Mary & Elizabeth to save the world. In this morning’s worship, Mary moves to center stage and we are invited to join her in a dress rehearsal for God’s coming into the world.
Polishing Rehearsal
Polishing rehearsals are specifically held for the purpose of correcting problems that occurred in previous run-throughs. Actors and directors must discern what to do given certain challenges that have arisen throughout rehearsals. Similarly, John the Baptist is calling everyone around him to “correct problems” that have arisen in their life together. The people ask John what they should do and he replies with concrete next steps. What might we learn for our lives today from the ancient call by John the…
Blocking
Linda’s message is rooted in the story of John the Baptist (Luke 3.1-6). The Word of God comes to John not in the center of political & religious power, but on the margins amidst the wilderness. How might attention to the location or position of John guide us in rehearsing for Christmas?
Read Through
Actors in a play read through the entire script in order to prepare. Similarly, the Christian calendar calls followers of Jesus to read through the entire script of the Good News as a way of preparing our hearts and minds for God-with-us, Emmanuel. Jesus calls his followers to “watch” and “stay awake” amidst the distress of the nations (Luke 21.25-36) near the end of his life. Our socio-economic, political, and ecological challenges are different today, but we find ourselves unquestionably in…
Reaching in Love
Linda’s message is rooted in Mark 10.17-31. How might the encounter of Jesus with the “rich young ruler” challenge and inspire us to reach in love as we unearth our Deep Commitments for the coming year?
Generous Giving
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 10.2-16. A simple rejection of divorce on the surface, digging deeper we unearth a profound challenge in the Gospel: how will we talk more like a Christian should and walk more like Jesus would? How might you be called to Generous Giving in the coming year?
Are You Ready?
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 8.27-38. How might this tipping point in the Gospel of Mark call us to surrender our thin faith and find our way to costly discipleship?
Little Bit%#!
How might the raw and contentious encounter of Jesus with a Gentile woman of Syrophoenician origin be a tipping point for him and all of us? Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 7.24-37.
Grinder, Burning Man, and a Pastor on the Playa
Linda’s message invites reflection on Burning Man, Default Worlds, and the Letter of James (James 1.17-27). Do you want to hear the story of how we changed someone’s life today?
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.