“Who Will Intercede?” – December 29, 2024

“Who Will Intercede?”Text: 1 Samuel 2:12-26, Luke 2:41-52As we read the story about Samuel, Eli, and Eli’s sons, Eli’s question is left unanswered; who will intercede for you if you have sinned against the Lord? The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the answer to this question, having been described as priest-like in the same…

Changed in the Waiting: Peace – December 22, 2024

“Changed in the Waiting: Peace”Text: Luke 1:39-55We close this advent season with Mary’s song following her meeting with her relative Elizabeth, who was expecting the child that would become John the Baptist. Mary’s words are both a statement of faith and prophetically tell of how God will raise up those who are oppressed. As we…

Changed in the Waiting: Joy – December 15, 2024

“Changed in the Waiting: Joy”Text: Luke 3:7-18John the Baptist’s words of preparation can seem frightening at first, but his call to “produce fruit” is paired with the promise of Jesus coming with a baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. This movement in our lives that changes, redeems, and restores us is able to remove…

Changed in the Waiting: Love – December 8, 2024

“Changed in the Waiting: Love”Text: Luke 3:1-6The second Sunday in this season of Advent focuses on love. Love is not just found in our emotions and feelings, but it can also be a way in which we interact with each other. Advent is a season of waiting, and we remember that even in the midst…

Changed in the Waiting: Hope – December 1, 2024

“Changed in the Waiting: Hope”Text: Jeremiah 33:14-16We enter into Advent, a season of expectation, with words from the book of Jeremiah. God’s promise to establish the peoples Judah and Israel – a nation that had turned away from God – and raise up an eternal line of David provides hope that is grounded in His…

Christ the King Sunday

Mark 13:24-37 – November 24, 2024

Text: Mark 13:24-37On this Christ the King Sunday, we wrap up our year-long study of the book of Mark. Jesus says to those who follow Him – His disciples then, and us now – to keep watch and be alert. We are called to be future-focused followers and to allow that, and not the fears…

Mark 13:1-23 – November 17, 2024

Text: Mark 13:1-23In the penultimate sermon of our series on the Gospel of Mark, we study Chapter 13; a passage that has often been used to teach us to be fearful. As we read the passage in its original context, we hear Jesus calling for His followers to be faithful in the midst of hardship…

Mark 12:35-44 – November 10, 2024

Text: Mark 12:35-44Today’s passage from Mark contains the familiar story of a widow giving her last two coins to the Temple as an act of sacrificial giving. It comes after Jesus warns against those in power who cause injustice by taking advantage of others, including widows and their possessions. The story shows us that there…

Mark 12:28-34 – November 3, 2024

Mark 12:28-34To be close to the Kingdom of Heaven is to embrace the radical call of love that God has put on our life. This love is not only for the God who changes, redeems, restores, and liberates us from the power of sin, but it is also a love that forces us to not…

Mark 12:1-27 – October 27, 2024

Text: Mark 12:1-27In today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is recognized as one with integrity and a sense of imparitiality, yet the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with questions of loyality to Rome, the controlling power in the world. In the current day, we are in the midst of a political…