Sermons from January 2026
JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY
As we celebrate his fight for racial equality and justice through nonviolent protest, honoring his commitment to freedom, service, and building a “Beloved Community” for all people, we continue the journey through the season that describes Christ’s revelation to the world, asking “Who is this?” This question anticipates the questions that follow Jesus throughout his life and ministry – questions from both followers and adversaries. It’s also a defining question of our own faith journeys: Who is this Jesus, and…
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…
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Matthew 3:13-3:17 (CEB) The story of Jesus’ baptism is very similar between Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s versions of the Gospel. John’s version of the Gospel alludes to it but doesn’t actually describe the event. In all the different versions, his baptism provides an opportunity for Jesus to be publicly identified as God’s beloved child. But baptism is never solely about the individual but rather it is a communal act that seeks to encompass all of us. Excerpts from Karri Alldredge’s…
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…
