WHAT DID HE SAY AND WHY? - Worship Service - October 6, 2024
​Perhaps no words by Jesus have been interpreted so literally and so misinterpreted so painfully than those from this passage. There is no question Jesus said what he did about divorce and remarriage — but who was he speaking to, what was he telling them and what does it mean for us today?
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/what-did-he-say-and-why-worship-service-october-6-2024

ALL HAIL THGE POWER OF JESUS' NAME - Worship Service - September 29, 2024
​When the apostle John catches others healing others in the name of Jesus, he tries to put a stop to it, but Jesus will have none of it. We are on the same side. God’s audacious aim is to save the whole world. Therefore, whoever is not against us is for us. Isn’t it just like God to be merciful and hopeful about everyone? Including us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/all-hail-the-power-of-jesus-name-worship-service-september-29-2024

WISDOM - Worship Service - September 22, 2024
​Our text contrasts a false self-seeking “wisdom” with “wisdom from above” that leads to good relationships. The whole letter of James focuses on right behavior, and says little about Jesus by name. But in light of traditions about wisdom in the Hebrew scriptures that Christians used to speak about Jesus, we can see the letter’s encouragement to live with wisdom as another way of speaking about following Jesus.www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/wisdom-sunday-worship-september-22-2024

IDENTITY CONFUSION - Worship Service- September 15, 2024
​Egosurfing is natural, and because it is slightly voyeuristic, it feels a tiny bit naughty and fun. Even Jesus searched for himself on social media — the media being a group of students, popularly known as his disciples. So, he asked them, “Who do people say that I am?” But then Jesus asked them a more personal question — one that leads us to ask: “Who are we?”

A PRIVATE MATTER - Worship Service - September 8, 2024
​The incident here foreshadows 1 Corinthians 13, in that we see love, hope and faith in action. We learn further that a community of friends overflowing with faith, hope and love is not sufficient unto itself. One thing is still needed: personal encounter, personal interaction, with Jesus. Put community and personal encounter together, and there will be a movement that tells the world about the Gospel. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/a-private-matter-worship-service-september-82024

 CLEANSING OURFELVES - Worship Service - September 1, 2024
​We each carry within us sinful impulses, and things and people outside of us can bring this darkness to the surface. Empty ritual does not prepare us for the battle with temptation but with God’s help, we can heal what lies within us and gain strength to face a world that sometimes calls out the worst in us. With grace, ritual becomes a means of feeding our souls. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/cleansing-ourselves-worship-service-september-1-2024

NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN - Worship Service - August 24, 2024
​When Peter asks, “Lord, to whom can we go?” he is articulating a bedrock affirmation of the Christian life: that we are radically dependent on Jesus. It is only when we truly accept the fact of our utter dependence on him that we are freed to do real evangelism. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/nowhere-else-to-turn-worship-service-august-25-2024

LIVING ASSISTANT TRAINING - Worship Service - August 18, 2024
Ephesians urges us to live wisely. Wisdom is available to us in many surprising places. Often, the best wisdom comes from gaining a new perspective and shifting paradigms. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/living-assisant-training-worship-service-august-18-2024

IMITATING GOD - Worship Service - August 11, 2024
​The life of faith is not just a matter of awe and reverence for God and Jesus and the Holy Trinity; nor is it only a matter of having the correct answers to theological questions. The life of faith, Paul tells us, calls us to do the hard work of imitating God. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/imitating-god-worship-service-august-11-2024

GROW UP - Worship Service - August 4, 2024
​Our text from Ephesians encourages us to become mature in Christ. Both as individuals and as the church, the body of Christ, we are to grow. The sevenfold “ones” at the beginning of the chapter show us the essentials of the church’s unity that is to reflect the unity of the triune God.

HOW IT'S DONE - Worship Service - July 24, 2024
​In the Gospel of John, miracles are signs that point to Jesus. Jesus realized the people who came to hear him needed to have their basic hunger for food satisfied before they could realize their eternal hunger for the Bread of Life. And we too need to see to it that the basic and crucial needs for water, food, shelter, and security for the suffering are fulfilled, so they can appreciate and claim the significance of the signs of Jesus that invite all to recognize our eternal needs. The signs invite us, once nourished, to walk further toward the Bread of Life and eternal security. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/how-its-done-worship-service-july-28-2024
 

WHAT GETS YOUR GOAT? - Worship Service - July 21, 2024
​In our busy lives, irritability is often our primary response to frustrations. When trivialities are what get our goat, that may be a signal that we need to rearrange our schedules or establish different priorities and immerse our daily lives in prayer. It is also an alert to keep our eyes on Jesus and learn from him.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/what-gets-your-goat-worship-service-july-21-2024

PROOFS IN THE PATINA - Worship Service - July 14, 2024
​Among the many blessings God gives his children in Christ is the gift of the Holy Spirit, the seal that marks us as God’s beloved. The presence of the fruit of the Spirit assures believers that their salvation is genuine and secure, and it helps them distinguish truth-tellers from spiritual frauds. The love for others demonstrated by disciples of Christ also serves as a powerful witness to observers outside the faith that God’s Spirit is present to transform lives. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/proof-is-in-the-patina-worship-service-july-14-2024

LOOKING FOR JESUS - Worship Service - July 7, 2024
Jesus is unable to perform miracles in Nazareth because of his neighbors’ doubts. How do our actions and attitudes block God’s love and presence?
http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/looking-for-jesus-worship-service-july-7-2024

AT MY WITS END ... - Worship Service - June 30, 2024
​Jesus was asked by Jairus to heal his daughter. While on the way, Jesus stopped to talk with the woman who had been sick for 12 years who touched his cloak in faith to be healed. Then word came that Jairus’ daughter had died. In two seemingly hopeless situations, Jesus intervened and brought both hope and healing. When we have situations that are beyond our ability to deal with, we should continue to be people of faith. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/at-my-wits-end-worship-service-june-30-2024

STORMS - Worship Service - June 23, 2024
​​God has a purpose for the storms that come to us all: to reveal our weakness and God’s power to save those who call upon him. Storms can distract and terrorize us, but they can also drive us to look more closely at Jesus so we can discover in his face the God upon whom we can rely. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/storms-worship-service-june-23-2024

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ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE - Worship Service - June 16, 2024
Small church congregations celebrate Father’s Day to appreciate and honor dads within their community. Although it’s not a religious holiday, churches use this occasion to connect their congregations to the truth that we have a perfect Heavenly Father—one who never leaves us, is faithful, and keeps His promises. It’s an opportunity to share God’s love and hope with those who may not have positive father figures in their lives. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/ask-and-ye-shall-receive-worship-service-june-16-2024

THE PEOPLE AROUND JESUS - Worship Service - June 9, 2024
​Jesus’ ministry encounters both open hostility and lack of understanding. But with these signs of opposition, there is also the group of people gathered around Jesus, the ones he calls his real family. It is not primarily the content of Jesus’ teaching but simply the fact that Jesus is there that forms this community that would come to be the church.

PORTRAIT OF A MOTHER - Worship Service - May 12, 2024
It has never been easy to be a mother or father. The responsibility has always been awesome but there are some senses in which it is more difficult today than ever. Changes have swept over us and through home and family, altering both structure and expectations. Guidance is needed and here we look at the relation of Jesus and Mary. Five pictures are shared: the wonder of the Annunciation, the pondering of the sayings of those who came to the manger, the visit to the temple when Jesus was twelve, the enmity of the officials of the society and the refuge Jesus found in home and family, and the tender scene on Calvary when most had fled but at the cross Mary his mother was to be found. We seek not only to illumine the relation of Jesus and Mary but to suggest some guidelines for parents today.

SHOWING LOVE - Worship Service - May5, 2024
​When Jesus calls us to show love, we must not mistake love for sentimentality. Jesus calls for a difficult love that flows from the love he showed us. Love enables us to experience joy even in the midst of the evil of the world.

I AM THE VINE - Worship Service - April 28, 2024
​If we are followers of Christ, God expects us to stay connected to Jesus “the vine” so that we can continue to bear fruit for the kingdom. This fruit includes the fruit of the Spirit, the exercise of spiritual gifts and vibrant worship. If these things are deficient in some way, the Heavenly Gardener will find the fruitless-but-draining offshoots in our lives and prune them away.

DOUBTING THOMAS - Worship Service - April 7, 2024
​The value of doubt is that it can lead us toward a resilient faith that can sustain us in good times and bad. Doubting Thomas proved that by refusing to believe the seemingly outrageous story of the resurrection of Jesus unless he had proof. And Jesus was happy to show Thomas the truth, just as Jesus is happy to lead us to eternal truths.
 

WHO IS RISEN? - Worship Service - March 31, 2024
​A little boy poses an obvious but sometimes neglected question: Who is it that was raised from the dead-on Easter? It is a question about God’s purpose for creation, and Peter points to that purpose when he tells his audience about Jesus’ life and ministry. Reflection on the character of the risen One helps us to see God’s goal for history and our role of in attainment of that goal and can also give us confidence in the truth of the strange but joyous Easter message. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/who-is-risen-worship-service-march-31-2024

THE GRAND ENTRANCE - Worship Service - March 24, 2024
​ Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem took place in a way that was unexpected and set him on the path of securing our redemption. In the same way, we will experience God’s action in unexpected ways, all in keeping with God’s great plan for our lives. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-grand-entrance-worship-service-march-24-2024

LIFT HIGH THE CROSS - Worship Service - March 17, 2024
​Jesus, despite his human fear, had no intention of stepping aside from the onrushing events that would lead to his death but also to the glorification of God. That’s why he came. We, the body of Christ, are also here for the glorification of God. But are we stepping out of the way of events to avoid both cross and glory? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/lift-high-the-cross-worship-service-march-17-2024

SAVED BY FAITH - Worship Service - March 10, 2024
​God offers salvation through simple belief. Salvation is God’s initiative, not ours. We do nothing to cause it or earn it. It was already there before we knew we needed it. Jesus Christ in his ministry is living proof of this. This is our message to the world. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/saved-by-faith-worship-service-march-10-2024

CHRIST-LIKE - Worship Service - March 3, 2024
​When Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple, he was not simply letting his human side show and blowing his top. He was actually being Christ-like in insisting that the Father be treated as holy. Likewise, we are being Christ-like as we seriously work to model our lives on Christ Jesus.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/christ-like-worship-service-march-3-2024

HAVE IT JESUS' WAY - Worship Service - February 25, 2024 
We expect to have things our way; we expect to have things go our way ... and we do not like it when they do not. Peter learned an important lesson from Jesus about this — and we can and should - learn the same lesson for the same reason: God is God, and we are not.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/have-it-jesus-way-worship-service-february-25-2024 
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LEARNING THE HARD WAY - Worship Service - February 18, 2024
“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths” is a prayer every Christian should pray frequently. It asks God not for information, but that we be made teachable, that we learn to internalize his ways without having to learn things the hard, painful, or costly way. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/learning-the-hard-way-worship-service-february-18-2024

THE TRANSFIGURATION - Worship Service - February 11, 2024
​When we edit our lives to let others see only what can be easily and superficially judged as “successful,” we invite others to become voyeurs into our lives in return for a fleeting feeling of superiority. Doing so limits us to one-dimensional relationships. Instead, Jesus invites us to a rich and deep community that can bear the joys and perils of life’s journey.

FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL - Worship Service - February 4, 2024
​If we are friends of Christ, we need to introduce others to him. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/for-the-sake-of-the-gospel-worship-service-february-4-2024

YOU CAN BE A PROPHET - Worship Service - January 28, 2024
​We are being prophetic whenever we proclaim that God is always with us and will not desert us. We are also being prophetic when we urge people to listen when God is near. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/you-can-be-a-prophet-worship-service-january-28-2024

NOW THE NEWS - Worship Service
​Mark does not waste words in getting to the heart of his message. The Baptist’s arrest reminds us of dangers as Jesus comes proclaiming God’s kingdom. Because the reign of God comes near, people are called to change their thinking and become part of that movement. And Jesus calls four fishermen to be the first of many to be instruments of the reconciliation that he brings. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/now-the-n-ews-worship-service-january-21-2024

QUIETLY CALLED - Worship Service - January 14, 2024
​When we are trying to determine our calling, we need to find the point where our unique gifts and genuine needs intersect. By acknowledging God’s Lordship, we decide beforehand that we are going to obey our unique calling, even prior to finding out what is at stake. http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/january-11th-2024​

 WHAT NOT TO GIVE A BABY - Worship Service - January 7, 2024
Imagine Mary’s postpartum experience in scripture, reading as though it were happening today. Bethlehem would be the site of a media storm unparalleled in its history: TV cameramen in the streets, talking heads giving interviews and every social media site lighting up like Christmas trees. Think now of the parents in this story: Total strangers — priests of another religion — are in their home giving their child gifts that are — to say the least — not age appropriate. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/what-not-to-give-a-baby-worship-service-january-7-2024

SONG OF SIMEON - Worship Service - December 31, 2023
A first-person sermon for the threshold of a new year, in which the story of Simeon reminds us to be open to all God brings us that is new.
http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/song-of-simeon-worship-service-december-31-2023

THE ANNOUNCEMENT - AM Worship Service - December 24, 2023
​​​This Sunday is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent in 2023, December 24th. Advent is the season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. Reading, prayer, and reflection are ways we can cultivate a sense of holy anticipation this Advent. This fourth Sunday of Advent we meditate on the peace that Jesus brings our hearts and our world. Scripture is the place we can find the promises of God. Let us meditate on these truths and allow them to comfort our hearts this Advent season! www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-announcement-am-worship-service-december-24-2023

THE WAY OF OUR LIVES - Worship Service - December 17, 2023
As interesting as the answers to questions about where we were born or how we were raised might be, the reason we were born is of far more importance. One reason is for us to be an advertisement for the God in whose image we were created. We have a model for this in the person of John the Baptist.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-way-of-our-lives-worship-service-december-17-2023
 

WHAT IS THE SECRET? - Worship Service - December 10, 2023
​Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent After a chaotic year, there is comfort to be found when we pause to read, pray, and reflect over the course of the Advent season...a time when believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. The tradition for the second Sunday of Advent includes lighting the candle of peace. This is a time of coming together, of building a community of faith that is open to all. This second Sunday of Advent, we are reminded that going home is never as easy as it sounds. We are often afraid to go home, afraid of home. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/what-is-the-secret-worship-service-december-10-2023

GRACE IN LOSS: PEACE IN PAIN - Worship Service - December 3, 2023
​The First Sunday of Advent is a day for taking stock of the pain of the world, for recognizing that the world is still far from the reign of God. On this day, we begin again our long vigil for the return of Christ. But in the midst of this wait, the apostle Paul offers words of grace and peace that place our suffering within the context of God. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/grace-in-loss-peace-in-pain-worship-service-december-3-2023

EVERYONE A KING - Worship Service November 26, 2023
What are you supposed to do if you are the king? By what standards will you be judged? In this story, Jesus shows us what the greatest concern of the King of Kings will be when he comes to judge the nations: that we are looking out for “the least of these.” Kingship is caring. Everything else is just details.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/everyone-a-king-worship-service-november-26-2023
 

BEING THANKSFUL - Worship Service - November 19, 2023
​Very early in American history a day was set aside on which to give thanks. The Pilgrims, having survived a difficult time, took occasion to celebrate and to give thanks to God. From that distant beginning the custom of Thanksgiving has continued in unbroken fashion. It is a sound instinct to keep this national holiday. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/being-thankful-worship-service-november-19-2023
 

HOPE - Worship - November 12, 2023
Paul exhorts Christians to encourage one another with the hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. This is a hope for all eternity because through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the future of believers is secure. When Jesus returns, believers will be reunited with those who have died in the faith. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/hope-worship-service-november-12-2023

COURAGE - Worship Service - November 5, 2023
​​Courage is the key that opens the door to the future that God is seeking to create through God’s people. Sometimes the courage to unleash a movement for God requires only that we take an initial step. But first steps are not always easy. This is particularly true when an element of risk is involved. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/courage-worship-service-november-5-2023

TWO CLUES FOR LIVING - Worship Service - October 29, 2029
​Jesus taught us that the two greatest commandments were exercising love for God and love for our neighbors. A godly person once said that in doing God’s will there is perfect peace. Perfect peace, then, will surely come to those who love God and others. And to have peace and meaning within is to discover that one is living a quite wonderful life. To love God with one’s whole being and to love others who are also children of God, is to discover life in its fullness. It is indeed an abundant life.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/two-clues-for-living-worship-service-october-29-2023

OBEYING GOD - Worship Service - October 22, 2023
Christianity is a religion of feelings and of ideas and of performance. This last area, which includes trusting God enough to obey him, is something we can all do, even when our feelings fluctuate and we are flooded with doubts. Obedience gets us through to where faith returns. In the end, it is the practice of faith that makes God’s people.

 WE MUST EMPTY OURSELVES, TO BE FILLED WITH CHRIST - Worship Service - October 1, 2023
​As we work to rid ourselves of those aspects of ourselves that would compete with Christ for space within our hearts and minds, we can become more authentic followers of Jesus, who himself experienced a self-emptying that left behind his privileges of divinity so he could show us how to live. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/we-must-empty-ourselves-to-be-filled-with-christ-worship-service-october-1-2023

GOD'S GRACE - Worship Service - September 24, 2023
​This parable Jesus told describes a vineyard owner who hired workers at different times of the day but paid them all the same. Sometimes when God blesses people in ways that he has not blessed us, it is easy to feel a bit jealous. When this happens, we are admonished to put away childish attitudes, and to rejoice with those who rejoice. We should never lose sight of the many ways God has kept his promises and agreements with us. http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/gods-grace-worship-service-september-24-2023​

FORGIVENESS - Worship Service - September 17, 2023
​Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question about how often to forgive someone is a reversal of the ancient idea of unlimited vengeance. Jesus calls us instead to unlimited forgiveness. This is possible because God’s forgiveness of us is more than an exercise in bookkeeping. It is an act of reconciliation that changes peoples’ lives, so that they can be not only forgiven people but forgiving ones. ​http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/conflict-resolution-worship-service-september-10-2023

CONFLICT-RESOLUTION - Worship Service - September 10, 2023
​The process that Jesus outlines for church discipline has much to teach about interpersonal relationships in a technology-saturated world. It is a gracious process that highlights the value and dignity of each party involved. http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/conflict-resolution-worship-service-september-10-2023​

CORRECTING OUR COURSE - Worship Service - Sept. 3, 2023
​Our passage is about a time when Jesus showed Peter a “course correction” he needed to make. Had he not made that correction, Peter would have continued “setting his mind not on divine things but on human things.” The good news for us is that Jesus is patient and willing to help us make course corrections as we follow him.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/correcting-our-course-worship-service-sept-32023

RECEIVING A REVELATION - Worship Serv ice - August 27, 2023
​When Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus said that God had revealed that truth to Peter. God does indeed grant revelations to humans. God wants us to know what his plans for us are. The Bible is full of persons who received revelations of God. Jewish and Christian history have numerous stories of faithful souls who have had God’s reality and truth revealed to them. A revelation can happen to anyone, anytime, anyplace.

LISTENING CAREFULLY - Worship Service - August 20, 2023
​The gospel story today may be difficult to hear. It appears at first sight that Jesus is insensitive and even prejudiced. However, if we keep faith as the woman in the story did and listen between the lines, we might hear something about a world that tends to divide itself in ways that God never intended. This woman who never went to church has something important to show the people who do. http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/listening-carefully-worship-service-august-20-2023​

WALKING ON WATER - Worship Service - August 13, 2023
​Matthew, Mark, and John all tell the story of Jesus walking on the water, but Matthew includes details the other two gospeleers do not. Those details help us to hear the message that rather than attempting to walk away from our problems, we are better to ask Christ to join us in our shaky crafts, trusting him to sail the rest of the journey with us, and to eventually land us safe on heaven’s shore.
http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/walking-on-water-worship-service-august-13-2023

FEEDING THE MULTITUDE, THEN AND NOW - Worship Service - August 6, 2023
​Two popular responses to the accounts of Jesus’ feeding thousands of people are: “There must be a natural explanation,” and “It’s a miracle.” Neither is entirely satisfying. More to the point is who did it — Jesus as the presence of the creator. And his initial statement to his disciples reminds us that responding to the basic physical needs of people is part of the Christian community’s calling. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/feeding-the-multitude-then-and-now-worship-service-august-6-2023

DOES GOD EVER GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN BEAR? - Worship Service - July 30, 2023
Life sometimes heaps crushing loads on us. We help neither ourselves nor others by mouthing pious platitudes such as “God never gives us more than we can bear,” which is not promised in scripture to start with. But let us trust instead what the Bible does tell us: that God is with us no matter what, and that we have in our power the ability to help one another carry the burdens of life. ​http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/does-god-ever-give-us-more-than-we-can-bear-worship-service-july-30-2023

WEEDS AND WHEAT - Worship Service - July 23, 2023
​This parable is about leaving judgments in God’s hands, about waiting until the harvest to pull up the weeds. When evil is rampant and the threat is immediate, we cannot wait that long, but when there is no imminent danger, it’s sometimes a good idea to allow negative people to continue until others see their behavior for what it is. In fact, much of the time, we can wait and let God do the sorting.
​http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/weeds-and-wheat-worship-service-july-23-2023

EVIL WORKS AND GOOD - Worship Service - July 16, 2023
​We’re told that “the evil one” snatches away the Word that is proclaimed so that it doesn’t result in anything positive. Evil is always negative and destructive, and it is by hearing God’s creative word that people are brought to faith and enabled to do good things. We are to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, and keep on hearing it, so that we remain faithful and able to be God’s instruments in his creative work in the world.

WELCOMING - Worship Service - July 9, 2023
​Jesus calls on us to give support, at least a cup of cold water, to those who come in his name, yet throughout history those who bring the Word of God have often experienced hostility and rejection. God’s messengers may challenge us in ways that make us feel uncomfortable. Perhaps that is one way we know that God is in our midst, pushing us out of our comfort zones and asking us to consider the true meaning of the good news of Jesus Christ.
​ http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/welcoming-worship-service-july-9-2023

CHOOSING FREEDOM - Worship Service - July 2, 2023
​Jesus challenges us, this Independence Day weekend, to wonder about how free we are. Despite the national freedoms that we celebrate, he reminds us that we are often bound by commitments and dysfunctions that keep us from responding to him. Do we have the freedom and daring to reach for the good yoke that he holds out to us? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/choosing-freedom-worship-service-july-2-2023

GOD LIKES SPARROWS, BUT LOVES US - Worship Service - June 25, 2023
​As Jesus prepares his disciples to proclaim the Good News to the world, he reminds them to always remember that each human being is precious in God’s sight. That truth should inform how we live today, how we do ministry and how we encounter every person we meet, including people we do not much like.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/god-likes-sparroes-but-loves-us-worship-service-june-25-2023

 GOD'S LOVE - Worship Service - June 18, 2023
​It is a blessing to have friends we can trust. The more, the better. Yet life often separates us from our friends. They move or we move. Age or infirmities may keep us apart. Then death may separate us. There is one Friend, however, from whom we cannot be separated. It is our loving heavenly Father. God is the eternal Friend we can trust. St. Paul wrote: “God proves his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” Count on that love.   www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/gods-love-worship-service-june-18-2023
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 CAN PEOPLE CHANGE? - Worship Service - June 11, 2023
​“Can people change?” is an implicit question in the opening salvo of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees found in Matthew 9:9-13. The Pharisees are dubious of Jesus’ quest to call sinners and tax collectors into the reign of God. Jesus, who views us through a different set of lenses, is relentlessly hopeful that escape from the things that bind us and transformation into the joyful people of God is not only possible but probable. And Matthew and the crowd with whom he ate dinner that night are among the first to prove him right. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/can-people-change-worship-service-june-11-2023

WHO IS OUR GOD? - Worship Service - June 4, 2023
​Paul’s final words in his second letter to the Corinthian church summarize what Christianity teaches about God as Trinity. We proclaim one God who is revealed as Creator, Savior, and Comforter. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/who-is-our-god-worship-service-june-4-2023

THE DEMOCRACY OF THE SPIRIT - Worship Service - May 28, 2023
​God has given the Spirit to every believer as a gift to empower all believers equally to participate in the life and ministry of the church. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-democracy-of-the-holy-spirit-worship-service-may-28-2023

ONENESS - Worship Service - May 21, 2023
​In his high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed that his followers may “be one.” But what does that really mean? Are Christians all supposed to belong to the same denomination? Should our worship style be the same from church to church? Or is Jesus praying for something richer and deeper? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/oneness-worship-service-may-21-2023

PORTRAIT OF A MOTHER - Worship Service - May 14, 2023
​It has never been easy to be a mother or father. The responsibility has always been awesome but there are some senses in which it is more difficult today than ever. Changes have swept over us and through home and family, altering both structure and expectations. Guidance is needed and here we look at the relation of Jesus and Mary. Five pictures are shared: the wonder of the Annunciation, the pondering of the sayings of those who came to the manger, the visit to the temple when Jesus was twelve, the enmity of the officials of the society and the refuge Jesus found in home and family, and the tender scene on Calvary when most had fled but at the cross Mary his mother was to be found. We seek not only to illumine the relation of Jesus and Mary but to suggest some guidelines for parents today. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/portrait-of-a-mother-worship-service-may-14-2023

TROUBLED HEARTS FIND THE WAY - Worship Service - May 7, 2023
​​These words, from Jesus to his closest followers in his final days on earth, are words of assurance for any who respond to his life in the world. They are not words of condemnation, meant to divide us into those who are “in” and those who are “out.”
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/troubled-hearys-find-the-way-worship-service-may-7-2023
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CAN YOU HEAR HIS VOICE? - Worship Service - April 30, 2023
​Jesus gave us an analogy to help us understand how to discern the voice of God. As sheep recognized the voice of the shepherd, so we too can recognize the Lord’s voice when we hear it. Many other voices are also clamoring for our attention - the sources of which only intend to steal, rob and destroy. So, we must keep our spirits in tune with the Lord’s voice, so that we might not be wooed away from the path God intends for us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/canyou-hear-his-voice-worship-service-april-30-2023

OUR FATHER, THE JUDGE - Worship Service - April 23, 2023
​God is our Father. He is also our judge. Each term tells us something different about God, but the meaning implied in each is vital to our relationship with God. God is the loving Father, but that love also judges us. Through his mercy, however, we can have boldness on the day of judgment. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/our-father-the-judge-worship-service-april-23-2023

MORE THAN A SILVER SPOON - Worship Service - April 16, 2023
​The resurrection of Jesus to a new kind of life means that those who believe in him also have a new life. The powers of evil do not have final control over them. Being born again is a gift, like the gift of life that a new baby receives. Christians setting out on this life are faced with hardships, but they also have the assurance of a tremendous inheritance. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/more-than-a-silver-spoon-worship-service-april-16-2023

WITNESS TESTIMONY - Worship Service - April 9, 2023
​The first-century eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection did us a great service. They told what they had seen, they stuck to their story, and in many cases, verified what they had said by forfeiting their lives rather than deny the truth. They have provided us with reasonable grounds for our faith in Jesus Christ. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/witness-testimony-worship-service-april-9-2023
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RED CARPET DAY - Worship Service - April 2, 2023
​Jesus’ popularity was at its peak on Palm Sunday and in the pits five days later. But his apparent has-been situation, his position of weakness, enables us to be saved by grace. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/red-carpet-day-worship-service-april-2-2023

A TIN CAN FILLED WITH HOPE - Worship Service - March 26, 2023
​The story of the raising of Lazarus gives us hope for the future. Jesus weeps for Lazarus, showing us that he understands the human condition of sorrow and grief. But he also raises Lazarus, and he will raise us out of whatever pains us in this life, because the compassion of Jesus gives us the ultimate hope of eternal life. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/a-tin-can-filled-with-hope-worship-service-march-26-2023

COME TO THE LIGHT - Worship Service - March 19, 2023
​We can view our journey through Lent as a process of coming to the light of Christ. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/come-to-the-light-worship-service-march-19-2023

THE DISCIPLES AT THE WELL - Worship Service - March 12, 2023
​This story rightfully focuses on the Samaritan woman. But the church would do well to focus on the actions of another “character” here: the disciples. After all, “they” are “us.” www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-disciples-at-the-well-worship-service-march-12-2023

ANOTHER AMAZING GRACE - Worship Service - March 5, 2023
God’s work in us and for us is continual from the moment of our birth to the moment of our death - and beyond. One form of God’s grace is when he takes the initiative to bring us to him.
  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/another-amazing-grace-worship-service-march-5-2023

BEING HONEST ABOUT LENT - Worship Service - February 26, 2023
​Lent has its origins in Jesus’ wilderness experience. Human nature and our contemporary culture encourage us to make Lent easy and manageable. Our call, on this first Sunday of Lent, is to see Lent as a wilderness where we can meet God in new, profound ways. Only then can we hope that angels will minister to us, as they did to Jesus. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/being-honest-about-lent-worship-service-february-26-2023

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND - Worship Service - February 19, 2023
The Transfiguration revealed Jesus as he truly is. Thanks to the touch of the Master’s hand, sometimes we are revealed as who we ought to be. Let us work to shine the light of Christ, that we may all be revealed as God intends us to be.
​http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-touch-of-the-masters-hand-worship-service-february-19-2023

WHEN YOU'RE ANGRY AND YOU KNOW IT ...! - Worship Service - February 12, 2023
​Christians often struggle with how to express anger, which can make us feel uncomfortable. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us how to focus this powerful emotion. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/when-youre-angry-and-you-know-it-worship-service-february-12-2023

LET THERE BE YOUR LIGHT - Worship Service - February 5, 2023
A ceremony sometimes used as part of the baptismal service helps highlight the fact that Christians are the light of the world because they have received the light of Christ. But it is really the light of the world only if it isn’t hidden, only if it’s allowed to shine. We do that through our witness to what God has done in Christ, through our actions and our words.  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/let-there-be-your-light-worship-service-february-5-2023

WHAT IS A BEATITUDE? -  Worship Service - January 29, 2023
​The blessings that introduce the Sermon on the Mount affirm the actions and attitudes that Jesus believes best characterize God’s people.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/what-is-a-beatitude-worship-service-january-29-2023

THE MAKING OF A COMPANY - January 22, 2023
God chooses to work through a body of people, a company of disciples. Even though each of us has come to Christ by his or her own independent choice, and even though each of us must always do private business with God, the church is not a collection of rugged individualists. It is a company. It is God’s own method, and it only works if we are willing to take our place in the body of Christ. http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/the-making-of-a-company-january-22-2023​

SEEING WHAT CANNOT BE SEEN - Worship Service - January 15, 2023
​We were astounded when a whole planet of scientists worked together to take the first photograph of a black hole. Perhaps as a planet-wide church, we can see the suffering in our midst that sinks into its own invisible black hole of despair. Jesus is the Word made flesh, In the light of the Word we may see clearly the sin-filled condition of the world and, like Jesus in the Gospel of John, reach out to all who suffer. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog1/seeing-what-cannot-be-seem-worship-service-january-15-2023

​GOING HOME A DIFFERENT WAY - January 1, 2023
​While each year, nativity scenes depict the wise men at the stable, their visit may have come as much as two years later. Who were these mysterious men? Where did they come from? Did they know their gifts would hold as much significance as the church places on them? We can still learn much from these men who came seeking and worshiping the king of the Jews.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - December 24, 2022
Tonight, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Tonight’s service is one of scripture and hymns or Christmas Carols.  The scriptures and accompanying narrative are the Christmas message, and there is therefore no sermon. This service has a variety of carols, candlelight, and Holy Communion. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/christmas-eve-worship-service-december-24-2022​

AFRAID TO LOVE - Worship Service - December 18, 2022
There is one value in this life that trumps righteousness, and that is love.
http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/afraid-to-love-worship-service-december-18-2022

 www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/roads-to-joy-worship-service-december-11-2022
​ROADS TO JOY - Worship Service - December 11, 2022
​On this third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, we are called to “rejoice” even though we may not feel particularly joyful. Many of us may feel burdened with year-end deadlines to meet, holiday parties to plan and attend, cards to send, presents to buy and wrap. Those who live alone, isolated from such Christmas chaos, might feel the poignance of their loneliness. Those who make their way to a pew this Sunday are more than likely in need of an “inoculation of joy” as a way to resist despair.

THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM - Worship Service - December 4, 2022
​When Isaiah spoke of predator and prey dwelling in peace together, it was a way to symbolize the kingdom of God. But animals also have some things to teach us about living in the world this side of the kingdom ― matters of interconnection, stewardship, and the goal of a world at peace. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-peaceable-kingdom-worship-service-december-4-2022
 

IN DAYS TO COME - Worship Service - November 27, 2022
​Waiting is the task of Advent. But prophecy and imagination fuel our faith, hope and love until the glad day when all waiting is ended, and we see our Lord Jesus Christ triumphantly reigning over all creation.
Due to technical problems, there is no video. ​

THE HOLY HABIT OF GIVING THANKS - Worship Service - November 20, 2022
​Jesus regularly practiced the habit of thanking God. Even at the Last Supper he thanked God before breaking bread. Considering that all of life comes to us from God, considering that God will see us through even the most difficult times, we can always be grateful. Thanking God “through thick and thin” helps us to grow spiritually. The Pilgrims knew this and we would do well to learn it too. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-holy-habit-of-giving-thanks-worship-service-november-20-2022

WORKING WOES - Worship Service - November 13, 2022
​Work is a worthwhile thing. We will not always enjoy it, and we benefit from vacations. But when we do work, neither shirking our tasks nor overworking gives glory to God. What does glorify him is honest labor, done diligently, and kept in balance with the rest of our lives. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/working-woes-worship-service-november-13-2022

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU - OR ME, EITHER - Worship Service - November 6, 2022
​From God’s point of view, we all possess the potential for sainthood. We need to recognize our holy inheritance, then cooperate with God’s intentions for us.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/its-not-about-you-or-me-either-sunday-worship-november-6-2022

 A REFORMATION MESSAGE - Worship Service - October 30, 2022
​The Reformation Sunday has the purpose to celebrate the day in which Protestant churches remember that movement which gave a turning point not only to Christianity but to the whole of European culture, inaugurating – according to some – even a new era, modernity. Now, five hundred years later, however, modernity is in crisis, and we do not know what to do with the question underlying the Reformation. The meaning of Reformation Sunday is not to be understood as a celebration of separation or even the founding of a new church in contrast to other denominations but as a grateful and critical reflection on the central insights and events of the Reformation. Reformed Protestantism has had a significant impact on the political mentality and culture of America. The justification experienced in faith gives people the freedom to make decisions based on their conscience. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-reformation-message-worship-service-october-30-2022

PAUL THE EXPLORER - Worship Service - October 23, 2022
​Paul has written from prison to encourage Timothy in his work as a pastor, and now speaks about his own situation. The apostle has had a long and sometimes hazardous career as a missionary. Now, with the likelihood of being sentenced to death, he still takes the opportunity to witness to Christ. Most of all, he looks forward to being completely with Christ. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/paul-the-explorer-worship-service-october-23-2022

PRAYFUL PERSISTENCE - Worship Service - October 16, 2022
​Faith as Jesus taught it is not so much about how we view a dogma, a doctrine or religious tradition as much as it is about how much trust we bring to our prayer and how persistent we are in finding what God knows is best for us.
​http://www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/prayerful-persistence-sunday-worship-october-16-2022 

A HINT OF COMPASSION - Worship Service - October 9, 2022
​Without qualification, Jesus healed. His healing always changed lives. Jesus still heals today. In the story of the 10 lepers, we are reminded that Jesus’ healing can change lives dramatically and that his healing ministry is now in the hands of the church.   www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-hint-of-compassion-worship-service-october-9-2022

EXCEPTIONAL TABLE SERVICE - Worship Service - October 2, 2022
​All of us are called to be servants for Jesus Christ. While masters typically do not associate with their servants, our master Jesus Christ does. Jesus wants to be in relationship with us. He wants to live and eat with us. This is proved most clearly through the sacrament of Holy Communion. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/exceptional-table-service-worship-service-october-2-2022

A BLIND EYE AND A DRY TONGUE - Worship Service - September 25, 2022
​​The voice of our good shepherd leads to eternal and abundant life. We accept faith, or grow our faith, not by dramatic events or fear of punishment, but by responding in our everyday lives through study, devotion and care for others, to the revelation that God has given us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-blind-eye-and-a-dry-tongue-worship-service-september-25-2022

PRAYING FOR EVERYONE - Worship Service - September 18, 2022
​The secret of any church is the prayers of the people. We need to understand that before any action, we need to pray in order to be successful. We ought to pray for everyone because God loves everyone and wants everyone to come to salvation; and we ought to pray especially for persons in power because of their influence on all the rest of us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/praying-for-everyone-worship-service-september-18-2022

 FINDERS KEEPERS - Worship Service - September 11, 2022
The church is a community of the lost who have been found. We are called in turn to be the messengers of good news to those who are still lost. Things and people who are lost have some value in and of themselves, but greater value because of the one to whom to they belong. Today’s Gospel reminds us of the value we have in God’s eyes, even when we have turned from him. We are also challenged not to let others be lost to us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/finders-keepers-worship-service-september-11-2022

 FOLLOWING JESUS - Worship Service - September 4, 2022
​Although Jesus’ call to sacrifice sounds too extreme, following Jesus enables us to grow a strong faith and engage in spiritual warfare. What Jesus does within us and the battles he enables us to fight bring the gratification of true discipleship. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/following-jesus-worship-service-september-4-2022

A PLACE AT THE TABLE - Worship Service - August 28, 2022
​Jesus uses a meal to teach about humility and service. We find our true value and validation in the resurrection, not the ways we seek prestige now. The joy and healing of the resurrection free us to serve and love others, especially those who need it most. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-place-at-the-table-worship-service-august-28-2022

THE FIRE OF LOVE - Worship Service - August 21, 2022
​When we come to comprehend the love of God, we will understand that our God is a consuming fire.  In Hebrew, we are told that nothing is as serious as love, and that no love is so sublime as the love God exercised when he sent his Son to Calvary. There is no fire as terrifying as the fire of eternal love. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-fire-of-love-sunday-worship-august-21-2022

FRIENDLY FIRE - Worship Service - August 14, 2022
​It is true that Jesus said that he came to spread fire upon the earth. However, not all fire is destructive. If there is anything that Jesus was not, it was destructive. So, we look beyond the destructive power of fire to reflect on the meaning of divine fire, the gift that it can be and how we are called to spread it. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/friendly-fire-worship-service-august-14-2022

PUT YOUOR HEART IN ANOTHER PLACE - Worship Service - 8-7-22
In Luke chapter 12, we are told words of Jesus that have to do with preparation for his coming. We are not so much being called to action as to readiness, making ready to welcome him; the real action will begin when he comes. How do we prepare ourselves to receive him? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/put-your-heart-in-another-place-worship-service-8-7-22
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WHY WE DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT WE ASK FOR IN PRAYER - Worship Service - July 31, 2022
​In Luke 12, Jesus tells us that the content of our prayers reveals the focus of our life. What is your focus? What do you request from God? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/why-we-dont-always-get-what-we-ask-for-in-prayer-worship-service-july-31-2022

THE DAILY BREAD WE NEED - Worship Service - July 24, 2022
​In Luke 11, Jesus gave his disciples guidance in how to pray, so that they would take God seriously and be part of his movement. But in order to understand Christ’s teaching, we have to untangle it from certain traditions. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-daily-bread-we-need-worship-service-july-24-2022

PAY ATTENTION - Worship Service - July 17, 2022
​We may be well-organized, detail-oriented people, but that shouldn’t get in the way when those we meet need simply our silent presence, our companionship, our prayers. We must pay close attention to what’s right before us so we can respond in a Christ-like way. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/pay-attention-worship-service-july-17-2022

​THREE KINDS OF LOVE - Worship Service - July 10, 2022
Jesus tells us to love God and our neighbor … and he implies that we must also love ourselves. Self-love or positive self-esteem is essential to health, happiness, and wholeness. Many of our deep personal problems arise from lack of proper self-love.  

WERE WE SURPRISED! - Worship Service - July 3, 2022
The 70 disciples, sent out by Jesus in pairs, return astounded that the powers of evil submitted to them. Jesus assured them their success was no surprise. He’d seen Satan fall like lightning, removing the opposition from the playing field. The disciples’ task — our task — is to pass along the peace to a house, and from a center of hospitality create strong fellowships that can withstand adversity and drive out evil from the world. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/were-we-surprised-worship-service-july-3-2022

THE FREEDOM TO BE FAITHFUL - Worship Service - June 26, 2022
​God calls Christians to freedom. That freedom is found not in self-indulgence, nor in an endless, desperate search for satisfaction. True freedom is found in sacrificial love, by which we freely choose to serve one another, becoming slaves to one another for Christ’s sake. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-freedom-to-be-faithful-worship-service-june-26-2022​

PLANTING FOREVER - Worship Service - June 5, 2022
​Today is Pentecost Sunday, the church has already been planted. We need not wait for it to happen again. We have been given what we need. May we go forth and proclaim it again, and again, and .... www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/planting-forever-worship-service-june-5-2022

JESUS WANTS US TO BE LIKE GOD - Worship Service - May 29, 2022
​The Christian community is to be in unity like the Father and the Son and the Spirit. The key to that unity is love — the love that is God, that God shows for us and that we are to have for one another. For the church to be a loving community is a way of reaching out to the world. The church, imperfect in its love, is still under the cross as it lives in the hope of resurrection. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/jesus-wants-us-to-be-like-god-worship-service-may-29-2022

THE PEACE OF CHRIST - Worship Service - May 22, 2022
​The peace of God is unlike anything the world has to offer. The peace that Jesus offers, through the counseling work of the Holy Spirit, is not an emotion but an under-girding support for our lives. It is not dependent on people or circumstances but comes from Jesus himself. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-peace-of-christ-worship-service-may-22-2022

A WINTRY BLAST IN - Worship Service - May 15, 2022
Even as we celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection and the reawakening of the earth in spring, there may be among us people who are experiencing a wintry form of spirituality — one in which the absence of God and the absence of loved ones is felt sharply and desperately. In preparing his disciples for his own absence, Jesus speaks a commandment to love one another and to cling to that love. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-wintry-blast-in-may-worship-service-may-15-2022

PARENTS - WITH THE LORD - Worship Service - May 8, 2022
​Even though Mother’s Day is not a religious holiday or spiritual observance in origin, the Bible certainly gives evidence that motherhood and parenthood are God’s training ground for Christian values. Parenthood is a partnership with the Lord. In the Old Testament, Hannah served as a model for how the faith is to be commu­nicated and passed on. She certainly took seriously her role in the spiritual nurturing and training of her son, and demonstrated how mothers, in particular, were partners with the Lord in the raising of their children. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/parents-partners-with-the-lord-worship-service-may-8-2022

WHY PRAISE THE LAMB - Worship Service - May 1, 2022
​This Sunday’s text in Revelation 5 consists of two hymns of praise to the Lamb, Christ and God by the heavenly hosts, but no reason for these praises is given. If we put these hymns in the context of the whole of Revelation, we see that the Lamb will open the scroll that reveals God’s “game plan” for the world, a plan that ends with the defeat of evil and the heavenly city coming down to earth.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/why-praise-the-lamb-worship-service-may-1-2022

SEEING ISN'T BELIEVING - Worship Service - April 24, 2022
​John tells us that when we cannot see the future clearly, we are challenged to make a leap of faith. But Jesus will support us when we believe his words and trust his instructions. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/seeing-isnt-believing-worship-service-april-24-2022

THREE DIFFERENT EASTERS - Worship Service - April 17, 2022
​Alleluia, Alleluia, Christ is Risen! People come to Easter services in different circumstances of faith. John’s account of the first Easter presents three different responses to the empty tomb. Mary’s confusion, Peter’s ambivalence and the beloved disciple’s lack of understanding indicate that we can be on the way to full faith, even if we don’t show up for the Easter service with full faith. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/three-different-easters-april-17-2022-worship-service

KING FOR A DAY - Worship Service - April 10, 2022
​The spirit of Palm Sunday is also the spirit of Passion Sunday. But in it all, God’s victory is assured. Even the stones declare it. The ability to give voice to our spiritual experiences, both in corporate and private worship, is an integral part of the Christian faith. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/king-for-a-day-worship-service-april-10-2022

RESTORE OUT FORTUNES, O LORD - Worship Service - April 3, 2022
​Psalm 126 is a historical psalm, probably related to the return of the Israelites from the Babylonian exile. Having experienced the release from captivity, the people need God to restore them once again. What God did for them; he can do for us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/restore-our-fortunes-o-lord-worship-service-april-3-2022

A FATHER AND HIS TWO SONS - Worship Service - March 27, 2022
​There are three main characters in this story in Luke, which is a story about “church” as much as anything else: a “father,” a “prodigal son” and an “elder brother.” With which character do you identify with? With which character shall we identify, as the church moves into an ever more uncertain future? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-father-and-his-two-sons-march-272022-worship-service

WRONG QUESTION, RIGHT ANSWER - Worship Service - March 20, 2022
Tragedies happen every day to people of all walks of life. While the response to these is often to ask, “Why did God allow this to happen?” or simply, “Why, God?” Jesus used two tragedies from his day to direct attention to repentance and faith. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/wrong-question-right-answer-march-20-2022-worship-service

 SELF-MATTERS - Worship Service - March 13, 2020
We live in a judgmental age in which no one measures up, either to the expectations of the critical or to their own expectations. Insults are the order of the day. Does the Bible take part in that judgment? When Paul warns that there are enemies of Christ and “their god is their belly,” what’s he saying? Are the body-shamers right? No. God is the giver of all good things. Each one of us, no matter what we look like, bears the image of God. The trick is to accept and celebrate the good things of this earth without making gods of them. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/self-matters-march-13-2022-worship-service

SPITTING AT THE DEVIL - Worship Service - March 6, 2022
Luke’s account shows that even after Jesus had rejected the devil’s offer of world power. Jesus’ temptations continued all the way to the cross. As we begin Lent, we’re reminded that temptations will continue through life, that we will sometimes fail and that because of Christ’s faithfulness we can get back up when we fall. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/spitting-at-the-devil-worship-service-march-6-2022

ASLEEP ON THE EDGE OF GLORY - Worship Service - February 27, 2022
​This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus goes to the mountain top and is transfigured. The transfiguration is a very special moment which stands near the top as one of the significant days in Christ’s life. We may miss one of God’s very special moments because of weariness or some common distraction. We may miss one of God’s very special moments because of weariness or some common distraction. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/asleep-on-the-edge-of-glory-worship-service-february-27-2022

 A RADICAL RULE - Worship Service - February 20, 2022
​Our culture often tells us to go “toe to toe” with one another when we disagree, and we see that approach now more than ever before in our deeply polarized society. Jesus believed in another way: that when we treat others with mercy, we begin to transform the world around us. We learn to see our commonality with others and to view them as people God loves.  
​www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-radical-rule-february-20-2022

DOING THINGS GOD'S WAY - Worship Service - February 13, 2022
​Tells Psalm 1, it tells us that when it comes right down to it, there are only two options for how to live: God’s way and the other way. We should choose God’s way. Which Will you choose? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/doing-things-gods-way-february-13-2022-worship-service

GOD'S INFURIATING GRACE - Worship Service - January 30, 2022
​The fact that God loves all people has not always been well received. But because of God’s love for us, we have a responsibility to grow into maturity, including healing our emotions. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/gods-infuriating-grace-january-30-2022-worship-service

ALL FOR ONE - Worship Service - January 23, 2022
The body of believers in a local congregation must, by necessity, work as a unit. If one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. If one part of the body succeeds, the whole-body benefits. There are many distinct parts or roles that Christians can play within the church. When each of these roles are fulfilled in ways that honor God, the local congregation becomes an effective, life-giving “organism.” God not only appoints people to certain role but gives them the desire and ability to fruitfully play those roles out. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/all-for-one-january-23-2022-worship-service

ONLY THE BEST - Worship Service - January 16, 2022
​​The first sign Jesus performed in the Gospel of John is invisible. Only the servants whom no one is paying attention to really see what Jesus is about. What’s this to you and me? Well, maybe God doesn’t have to call our attention to every divine action in our lives, but rest assured, God is involved, God is among us and God cares not only that we find a way through troubles, but that we enjoy ourselves on occasion as well.  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/only-the-best-worship-service-january-16-2022

LIKE US IN EVERY RESPECT - Worship Service - January 9, 2022
It seems at first that Luke downplays the fact that Jesus received a baptism of repentance for sins. Christians zealous to defend Christ’s divinity haven’t always stressed his genuine humanity strongly enough. But the Bible is clear about him sharing our vulnerability and suffering, and his fellowship with sinners. In reality, Luke doesn’t downplay Jesus’ baptism but emphasizes that the sinless Jesus was baptized with sinners as part of his saving work. We’re invited now to reflect on who Jesus is for us today. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/like-us-in-every-respect-worship-service-january-9-2022

NEW YEAR'S HOPE FROM A GLOOMY PROPHET - Worship Service - January 2, 2022
​The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah spoke harsh words of rebuke to the Jewish people when they failed to live up to God’s expectations. But he also was the bearer of words of hope, reminding them that God had not abandoned them. Christians today also can find hope in the sometimes-angry words of Jeremiah, knowing that, in the end, the message was one of love and rescue from the Eternal One. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/new-years-hope-from-a-gloomy-prophet-worship-service-january-2-2022

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A SELF-WILLED CHILD -Worship Service - December 26, 2021
​One wonders what kind of child Jesus was. We don’t really know. Becoming an adult in our faith journeys means taking responsibility for the way of life Jesus modeled for us. Jesus demonstrates the rare gift of being truly present to God, a gift we can cultivate in ourselves. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-self-willed-child-worship-service-december-26-2021

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - December 24, 2021
​Jesus’ birth is celebrated by shepherds. These unnamed shepherds are transformed from persons living on the margins to Jesus’ first witnesses in the world. Their actions model an authentic response to the good news of Jesus’ coming. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/christmas-eve-worship-service-december-24-2021

SONGS OF THE SEASON - Worship Service - December 19, 2021
​Two remarkable women, each carrying a miraculous child, meet. That meeting leads to prophecy and joy and blessings. God’s word and blessings come to us in many ways, and when we are faithful and obedient, God uses us to bring his message to a world desperate for hope and peace.

ADVENT PREPARATION ... YET AGAIN - December 5, 2021 - Worship Service
​When we try to juggle too much, it all comes crashing down. Advent calls us to decide what is important in life and to give priority to the things that matter, the things of faith. It also gives us opportunity to keep growing into the people God calls us to be.

HOPE - November 28, 2021 - Worship Service
​Today is the first Sunday in Advent and the first candle in the Advent wreath is lit. The first candle represents “HOPE”, which draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden tread through Old Testament history. The first Advent has come but we again wait with expectation and hope for God’s new work in history, the Second Advent.

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 FILLED WITH GRATITUDE - November 21, 2021 - Worship Service
​What makes you thankful most of the time? When you get all your work done? When a friend sticks by you through a tough time? What about a day when nothing bad happens but nothing especially good happens? Are you thankful that you have the gift of another day, the gift of God’s love, the gift of your health, the gift of a job to even go to, the gift of a home, etc. We choose what to fill our hearts with each day, one day at a time. The problem many times is that our circumstances and relationships determine what fills our hearts instead of our decision. Thankfulness is a consistent attitude of the follower of Christ, not merely something we do when everything works out. St. Paul was full of thanksgiving if he was in prison, in shipwrecks, in abundance or in want. Thus, in our sermon we will attempt to discover some of the reasons he was able to “be content in all things.” Due to technical difficulties, there will be no video of the worship service for 11/21/21. Hopefully, they will be corrected by next Sunday, so check in them. God bless you and have a blessed Thanksgiving. Remember to thank God daily for your blessings. Pastor Bea
​www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/filled-with-gratitude-november-21-2021-worship-service

WHAT WHAT ACCOMPLISHES - November 14, 2021 - Worship Service
​Jesus was not sacrificed to placate God. Jesus’ sacrifice did not make God love us more or make God willing to forgive us. God has always been willing to forgive us. Yet God was acting on the cross for our sakes, to heal our sins. In a way we can never fully explain, Christ’s sacrifice has taken away the guilt for our sin. The sacrifice changed the equation for our guilt. Jesus’ one-time sacrifice reconciled us to God. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/what-worship-accomplishes-worship-service-november-14-2021

FROM EMPTINESS TO FULLESS - November 7, 2021 - Worship Service

Today, we learn from two women; one is Ruth and the other is nameless and speechless. The only thing that they have in common is that they are both about widows and they are both about values.  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/from-emptiness-to-fullness-november-7-2021-worship-service

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FOR ALL THE SAINTS - October 31, 2021 - Worship Service

On All Saints’ Sunday the church turns its attention to the deceased saints of the past, men and women whose lives bear witness to a hope rooted in the gospel that proclaims God’s victory over death. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/for-all-the-saints-worship-service-on-october31-2021

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WHAT'S IN A NAME? - October 24, 2021 - Worship Service
​Bartimaeus’ faith was affected by his physical challenges. He was blind and his faith was blinded. He did not have blind faith, but rather blinded faith. Blinded faith comes from need, from desperation, from pain and struggle and from injury … and Bartimaeus was both injured and desperate. His blinded faith frantically led Bartimaeus to find what Jesus had to give. Like Bartimaeus, we have obstacles to face, but Jesus gives healing and mercy by which we can overcome even our blindness and fear. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/whats-in-a-name-worship-service-october-24-2021

SERVANTHOOD- October 17, 2021 - Worship Service
​Jesus tells his disciples in this passage that he is giving his life as a ransom for many. But how many of us want nothing to do with being ransomed? James and John ask Jesus to “do whatever they ask of him.” Jesus uses their asking for places of honor in the kingdom as an opportunity to talk about true discipleship, which is seen not in positions of glory, but in places of service. Indeed, for followers of Christ, it is a “race to the bottom” — not seeking to be recognized so much as to be in service for God. We need to be good servants. Listen to today’s message to learn how to be a good servant. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/servanthood-october-17-2021-worship-service

GOD SEES - October 10, 2021- Worship Service 
The fact that God sees and knows everything about us can be a source of shame and fear. But God intends his omniscience to be a channel of his love, forgiveness and grace. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/god-sees-october-10-2021-worship-service

 ONE WITH US: WORLD COMMUNION - October 3, 2021 - Worship Service
October 3, World Communion Sunday offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church. On that day, they remember that they are part of the whole body of believers. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/one-with-us-world-communion-worship-service-october-3-2021

​THE POWER OF PRAYER - September 26, 2021 - Sunday Worship
James teaches us about the power of prayer. He tells us that prayer is what the church ought to be spending time on. It should also be a very important part of our personal life. Prayer can change and renew your life. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-power-of-prayer-september-26-2021-worship-service​

JESUS WELCOMES ALL - September 19, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​​In Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ disciples never seem to grasp who he is or what he does or says. They’re puzzled by his actions and words. In today’s reading, they don’t understand when he speaks about his coming death and instead start arguing about which of them is most important. In spite of the benefit of hindsight, we’re often not much better. But our salvation is in the greatness of Jesus, not of ourselves.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/jesus-welcomes-all-september-19-2021-worship-service

TAMING THE TONGUE - September 12, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​The saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me!” is a saying but it is false. Words are power and they can hurt. James tells us, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Small things can do great harm. The tongue can do great harm or good. How do we tame our tongue? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/taming-the-tongue-september-12-2021-worship-service

A CHANCE TO HEAR - September 5, 2021 - Sunday Worship
 When Jesus healed the man who was deaf, he also restored him to wholeness, to his community and to relationship with God. God’s surprising grace comes into our lives as well, restoring us in ways that we never expected. Open your eyes and experience a “Chance To Hear”. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-chance-to-hear-september-5-2021-worship-service

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CLEANING OUR HANDS AND OUR SOULS - August 29, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​We each carry within us sinful impulses, and things and people outside of us can bring this darkness to the surface. Empty ritual does not prepare us for the battle with temptation but with God’s help, we can heal what lies within us and gain strength to face a world that sometimes calls out the worst in us. With grace, ritual becomes a means of feeding our souls. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/cleaning-our-hands-and-our-souls-august-29-2021-worship-service

TELLING ME YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT! - August 22, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​​Some followers of Jesus began walking away from him in response to something he said that they found difficult and confusing. But Peter said he and others of the Twelve would stay because they knew Jesus is the Holy One of God. Followers of Jesus today are challenged to follow Peter’s example and commit themselves fully to Christ. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/tell-me-you-didnt-say-that-august-22-2021-worship-service

 ​RUNNING ON TIME - August 15, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​The Bible speaks of four dimensions of time: past, present, future and eternity. But it is in the present where time most closely touches eternity. All of our time is in God's hands, but the present moment and eternity are linked. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/running-on-time-august-15-2021-worship-service

​NO ORDINARY MAN - August 8, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​Jesus was rejected by some and misunderstood by many. He lived among us to bring salvation to a world that desperately needed it. He was no ordinary man, but he was just what the world needed and continues to need. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/no-ordinary-man-august-8-2021-sunday-worship

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE - Sunday Worship - August 1, 2021
​Since we often don’t think about God as the Creator who provides us with food and other needs, we fail to trust in God for our lives. The feeding of the multitude is a dramatic sign of the Creator’s presence and power. Jesus does in an attention-getting way what the Creator is doing all the time to supply us with food. And the thanks he offers shows us the proper attitude we should have in response to God’s work. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/i-am-the-bread-of-life-sunday-worship-august-1-2021
 

TRUSTING GOD TO DO IT! - July 25, 2021 - Sunday Worship
​Since we often don’t think about God as the Creator who provides us with food and other needs, we fail to trust in God for our lives. The feeding of the multitude is a dramatic sign of the Creator’s presence and power. Jesus does in an attention-getting way what the Creator is doing all the time to supply us with food. And the thanks he offers shows us the proper attitude we should have in response to God’s work. We must place our trust in God and God will do the rest.  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/trusting-god-to-do-it-july-25-2021-sunday-worship

 BREAKING DOWN THE WALL!  - SUNDAY WORSHIP, JULY 18, 2021
​Jesus came and broke down the diving walls and made us one. Christian faith is all about God Breaking out; God smashing down wall; God coming warmly and wonderfully into our lives. We in the church are called to break down walls of hate and hostility and to build brides of love and reconciliation. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/breaking-down-the-wall-worship-service-july-18-2021

NO HONOR AT HOME - SUNDAY WORSHIP, JULY 4, 2021
​Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth to preach in the synagogue. At first the people were amazed but eventually rejected him. Just as the people of Nazareth were blind to who Jesus was. Do you miss the meaning of Jesus for your life? Do you have faith or are you erecting obstacles for the Holy Spirit to work with you? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/no-honor-at-home-sunday-worship-july-4-2021

 JESUS, THE MULTI-TASKER - SUNDAY WORSHIP, JUNE 27,2021
In this account of Jesus healing two people, we see two common threads: taking Jesus at his word and admitting that one’s need is greater than one’s resources. Regardless of how far medicine and science and knowledge advance, we should never keep Jesus out of the picture. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/jesus-the-multi-tasker-sunday-june-27-2021

WHO THEN IS THAT? - SUNDAY WORSHIP, JUNE 20, 2021
​The disciples were in fear and awe after Jesus stilled the storm, wondering who could do such a thing. The Psalms give an answer — it is the God of Israel, who stills storms and rescues from both literal and metaphorical waters. It is that God who is present in the human Jesus. This means that he is able to save us from all the storms that threaten us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/who-then-is-this-worship-service-for-june-20-2021

WHY WON'T IT GROW? - SUNDAY WORSHIP, JUNE 13, 2021
​The kingdom of God calls us all to live out our days with the faith of a farmer: to trust that if we sow the seed of the Gospel, God, and the very structures of God’s world, will take care of the rest. It is your business and mine to sow the seed, and leave the rest to God. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/why-wont-it-grow-worship-service-for-june-13-2021
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PUSHING US FORWARD, PULLING US ALONG - SUNDAY WORSHIP, JUNE 6, 2021
​When the problems of the church’s ministry in the world begin to sap our energy, we can draw on the power of the Holy Spirit from Pentecost, and the glory that awaits us in the Resurrection. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/pushing-us-forward-pulling-us-along-worship-service-for-june-6-2021

EARTHY TRINITY - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MAY 30, 2021
​Our prayers are our witness to something abstract and something concrete, which is to say that our prayers bear witness to the basic reality of our doctrine of the Trinity: that God is not only ‘Wholly Other,’ far removed from us, but at the same time here with us, among us, present in our very being. Moreover, our prayers from in the midst of suffering tell us that we cannot expect a life free of suffering, but that God is indeed with us even in our suffering. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/earthy-trinity-worship-service-for-may-30-2021

COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MAY 23, 2021
On the first Day of Pentecost, everyone heard the good news of God in their own tongue. Even though we may feel discouraged by the declining influence of the church and the ways contemporary society dismisses the church, we can take heart that even in its earliest days, outsiders made disparaging remarks about the church. Bystanders mistook the power of the Holy Spirit for inebriation. Now we face new challenges to make God’s truth available to everyone, in his or her own tongue. The church still claims the unexpected, unifying and empowering influence of the Holy Spirit for its life and mission. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/coming-of-the-holy-spirit-may-23-2021-worship-service

ETERNAL LIFE IS NOW - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MAY 16, 2021
​What is the difference between heaven and eternal life? This past Thursday was Ascension Day, do you know the reason for celebrating it? In Jesus’ “last will and testament,” he spoke of what had been done, what was left to do and what he came to do. Come to church Sunday or listen to the church service video to learn the answers and more. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/eternal-life-is-now-may-16-2021-worship-service

 LOVE, AS JESUS LOVES YOU - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MAY 9, 2021
​Jesus wants us to be completely flooded and fulfilled with joy. Such filling happens when we practice self-giving love. Without apology, this is a Mother’s Day sermon with appreciation for that time-honored institution without the benefit of which we wouldn’t be here! Even though Mother’s Day is not a religious holiday or spiritual observance in origin, the Bible certainly gives evidence that motherhood and parenthood are God’s training ground for Christian values. A mother love is given unconditionally as Christ love is given to us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/may-03rd-2021

THE VINE AND ITS BRANCHES - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MAY 2, 2021
​If we are followers of Christ, God expects us to stay connected to Jesus “the vine” so that we can continue to bear fruit for the kingdom. This fruit includes the fruit of the Spirit, the exercise of spiritual gifts and vibrant worship. If these things are deficient in some way, the Heavenly Gardener will find the fruitless-but-draining offshoots in our lives and prune them away. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-vine-and-its-branches-for-sunday-worship-may-2-2021

CHRISTIAN LIVING - SUNDAY WORSHIP, APRIL 25, 2021
​John’s first letter is considered controversial because some scholars say that it contradicts Paul’s teaching of grace and salvation. Some people say that since we are forgiven by God’s grace; it does not matter how we live. Yes, we do believe that God forgives us if we confess our sins but we also believe we must try to live as Christs wants us to live. John says that we are called to love and believe. Listen to the message to learn more. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/christian-living-sunday-worship-for-april-25-2021

OUR SENSES - SUNDAY WORSHIP, APRIL 18, 2021
​Jesus’ resurrection is not merely a story of hope for the future nor something too good to have true impact on our lives today. The risen Christ invites you to reach out and touch him. The disciples were encouraged to use their senses to fully realized that Christ had risen and was currently among them. Life is complicated. Our tumultuous world and ever-changing circumstances can leave us drained and weary. Unexpected events take place that frighten us and challenge our world understanding. Even positive changes can leave us unsettled or uncertain. Into this chaotic upset, Jesus offers peace that passes our limited understanding, along with a glimpse of God in our midst. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/our-senses-april-18-2021-worship-service

APOSTLES OF HOPE - SUNDAY WORSHIP, APRIL 11, 2021
​Jesus didn’t appear to his disciples on Easter with a superhero “I’m back!” speech or a putdown of those who had abandoned him. Instead, it was with a message of peace and forgiveness. He had been crucified because he didn’t behave and speak as people wanted him to, and when he rose from the dead, he didn’t speak as people might have feared he would. His cross and resurrection mean the dethroning of our idols and the possibility of genuine faith in the true God. They mean our reconciliation with God. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/apostles-of-hope-for-worship-april-11-2021

THE BLESSINGS OF EASTER - SUNDAY WORSHIP, APRIL 4, 2021
​​In this passage from Mark 16:1-8, we see how people react to the Resurrection, to the knowledge that it’s true, it really happened, Jesus really is risen … risen indeed! And it is not the reaction that we ourselves have come to take for granted. It is a powerful story of triumph over death, but it comes with some hefty responsibilities and consequences. Although the life-changing salvation potential of the resurrection story multiplies with each retelling, it is also a dangerous story to tell. This is true especially for the women of Mark’s gospel, who neglect to tell the disciples what they witnessed at the empty tomb because they are filled with amazement and fear. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-blessings-of-easter-april-4-2021-worship-service

                                                                     
​ A TRIUMPHAL ENTRY - SUNDAY WORSHIP,  MARCH28, 2021
​Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem took place in a way that was unexpected and set him on the path of securing our redemption. In the same way, we will experience God’s action in unexpected ways, all in keeping with God’s great plan for our lives. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-triumphal-entry-for-sunday-march-28-2021

A SEED MUST FALL - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MARCH 21, 2021
​No theological statement or theory can adequately explain the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross. Nonetheless, he said that when he was “lifted up,” crucified, he would draw people to him. That has been the case through the centuries. Many are attracted to Jesus the crucified Lord, and changed forever by coming to the cross.www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-sees-must-fall-worship-service-march-21-2021

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PREPARING FOR GOD'S WILL - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MARCH 14, 2021   
“Why am I here?” is one of the most commonly asked questions in the human experience. The apostle Paul explained in Ephesians 2 that not only are we here for a specific purpose, but that God has been preparing us to fulfill that purpose for as long as we have existed. The first step in finding significance is being reconciled with God. Once our spirits have been reunited with him, we set off on a meaningful adventure that has the satisfying potential to exceed anything we could even imagine. Remember that God’s formula for salvation includes grace and faith. When the two are put together, the result is good works. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/preparing-for-gods-purpose-for-sunday-march-14-2021

RIGHTEOUS ANGER - SUNDAY WORSHIP, MARCH 7, 2021
​When Jesus overturned the money-changing tables in the Jerusalem temple, he was showing us how to be angry about the right things. He didn’t focus on individuals there but, rather, on entire systems that oppressed and cheated people. Our work to fix what’s wrong in our world also should be aimed at unjust, broken systems.

​A WORK IN PROGRESS - SUNDAY WORSHIP, FEBRUARY 28,2021
We expect to have things our way; we expect to have things go our way ... and we don’t like it when they don’t. We are a work in progress. God is God and we aren’t. No matter what our situation or station in life, God calls us to fulfill our purpose in God’s plan. Abram was ninety-nine years old when God revealed his place in God’s scheme. God deemed Abram a righteous man, as Paul tells us, because of the patriarch’s faith. So, it is with us. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-work-in-progress-sunday-worship-for-february-28-2021

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TOO GOOD, SO DON'T MISS IT - SUNDAY WORSHIP, FEBRUARY 21, 2021
Lent is not a time of denial, but should be seen as a wonderful time for “pampering and self-indulgence. Sometimes keeping our baptism vows is easy, but at other times, it is very difficult -- enough so that we can understand why people would want to avoid being baptized. But we who are baptized claim membership in the family of God, and need to live so as to reflect well on our heavenly Father. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/too-good-so-dont-miss-it-sunday-worship-february21-2021

THEY WENT TO THE MOUNTAINTOP - FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021
​The Transfiguration is a powerful experience in which Peter, James, and John encounter Jesus in all of his glory. This text, however, teaches an important lesson about religious “mountaintop” experiences: all experiences of God’s grace are gifts to be shared with others. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/they-went-to-the-mountaintop-worship-february-14-2021

QUIET TIME FOR PRAYER - FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021
​In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus begins ministry right away, defining his identity by action. In the midst of all of Jesus’ teachings and healings, and a battle with evil, Jesus takes time to pray. Prayer empowers us for our ministries. We also need regular times of retreat and spiritual renewal.  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/quiet-time-for-prayer-worship-february-7-2021

AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY - FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021
​Our gospel reading is the first of six stories in the New Testament about Jesus healing on the Sabbath. Usually that provoked criticism. But if we look at the full significance of the Sabbath in scripture, we see that it was just the right time for healing to take place. It was a sign that the kingdom of God, the goal of creation, was breaking in. Now, in the renewal of creation brought about by Jesus’ resurrection, we are on our way to that goal and are called to be God’s instruments for the healing of the world. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/an-extraordinary-day-for-worship-january-31-2021

NEEDS FULFILLED - FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY24, 2021
​Jesus calls the first four disciples and they immediately give up everything they have to follow him. There is no process of building faith or learning discipleship. Instead, there is instant obedience. While we tend to stand in awe of the disciples’ response, we must also be awed by Jesus’ instant grace. Jesus works in our lives in the exact same way. He encounters us, accepts us immediately and summons us to follow him. The beginning of each Christian life, however that takes place, is important, but that life is a continual response to God’s call. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/needs-fulfilled-for-sunday-january-24-2021

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CHANGE - FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021
​The story of Samuel’s calling provides an example of how important it is not just to hear God’s voice with our ears, but to truly listen with our hearts. Some things change in our life if we listen to God’s voice. View the video. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/change-for-sunday-january-17-2021

 THE BELOVED SON - FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021
​Christ was baptized not because he was a sinner but to show his commitment to live righteously as God’s Son and to identify with those who are in need of repentance and baptism. That, of course, includes us all. View the video. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-beloved-son-worship-service-for-january-10-2021

GIFTS FOR A KING - FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021
While each year, nativity scenes depict the wise men at the stable, their visit may have come as much as two years later. Who were these mysterious men? Where did they come from? Did they know their gifts would hold as much significance as the church places on them? We can still learn much from these men who came seeking and worshiping the king of the Jews. View the video.
www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/gifts-for-a-king-sunday-worship-january-3-2021

SIMEON AND ANNA - FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020
This passage is a witness to the importance of religion in the life of faith and in human life in general. Simeon and Anna are devoutly religious people who are also deeply spiritual. They show us that religious devotion and religious commitment can be a path to the kind of spirituality that recognizes the work of God in the most mundane human events. View the video below.www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/simeon-and-anna-sunday-worship-december-27-2020

 
​ARE YOOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS? - FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020
​A few days before Christmas, people may be wondering if they’re ready for the holiday. Real readiness is a matter of being open to receive God’s gift that we celebrate that day. Mary, the young woman who first received that gift, can help us to be prepared. She is surprised by being favored by God, but willing to rely on that favor and the God who gives it. View the video below.

POINTING TO JESUS - FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020
​​As interesting as the answers to questions about where we were born or how we were raised might be, the reason we were born is of far more importance. One reason is for us to be an advertisement for the God in whose image we were created. We have a model for this in the person of John the Baptist. View the video.www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/pointing-to-jesus-sunday-worship-december-13-2020

COMFORT - FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020
Having lived through the 2020 pandemic, and as we continue through Advent, we are reminded through the ancient words of Isaiah that God is bigger and stronger than anything we may face in our lifetime. Add to that the knowledge of God’s desire for us to be comforted, and we find hope in new and unexpected ways. So, when we feel ourselves in the wilderness, hungering and thirsting for God, God will be there for us. And when we are feeling strong and refreshed, God calls us to move out into the world to serve others in need, all in the name of Jesus Christ. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/comfort-for-sunday-worship-december6-2020
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ARE YOU READY? - FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020
​Jesus concludes his discourse to his disciples about the future with a brief parable and the lessons they are to draw from it. We are to be alert, knowing what is going on in the world and thinking God is there. We know something that those first disciples didn’t realize at the time: that God’s work of new creation has already begun with the cross and resurrection of Christ. Knowing that, we are to watch for the signs that God is completing that work. Watch the video for a blessing.​ www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/november-24th-2020

THANKSGIVING IN COLIOSSE - FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020
​Colossians 3:15-27 tells to be thankful and with this being Thanksgiving Week, it is a wonderful time to stop and give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. How often do you praise and thank God? We have been blessed beyond measure and we are way behind on offering thanksgiving to the One who bled and died for our sin. Our scripture is a real comfort during times of turmoil and stress. View the video for a blessing. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/thanksgiving-in-colosse-sunday-worship-11-22-20

ARE YOU USING YOUR GIFTS WISELY - FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020
We as a church need to see our “talents” not so much as the “gifts and graces” of individual members, but as our physical assets, and to ask ourselves if we are simply “burying” them, or using them in a way that gives physical expression to the kingdom that we know is coming. So, we need to ask ourselves: What kind of servants shall we be? What has God given us to use? How shall we use it? What accounting will we give the Master, when he returns? View the video  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/are-you-using-your-gifts-wisely-for-sunday-november-15-2020

BEING PREPARED - FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020
​Jesus calls us to stay awake because his return will come at a time we cannot know. Practicing the means of grace will keep us ready, and our metaphorical lamps full of oil, no matter when Jesus returns. Therefore, being prepared for Jesus’ return means the faithful doing of good deeds and the faithful following of the example and teachings of Jesus. View the video to learn more.  www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/being-prepared-for-sunday-worship-november-8-2020
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ALL SAINTS'S SUNDAY - FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020
All Saints’ Day was valued as a time to celebrate heritage and those Christians of the past who faithfully transmitted the faith to succeeding generations. It is a day to remember those who have influenced our lives and our faith. A day to celebrate who we are through who they were and how they touched us and the church today. “A Saint is a sinner, revised, and edited.” View the video of the worship service to get a blessing and learn more. ​www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/all-saints-day-worship-service-for-11-1-20

THE VISION LIVES - FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020
Through Habakkuk’s beautifully written dialogue with God we learn that the wicked carry within themselves the seeds of their own destruction. On the other hand, the believers contain the seeds of close relationship with God. Habakkuk sees only injustice, violence, and destruction. Faithfulness to God is the willingness to choose to live life a certain way under God, even when the “vision” may be far off in the future, and the present circumstances are bleak and barren. The people of God will find new life and new hope regardless of their current circumstances. View the worship service video to learn more. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/the-vision-lives-for-sunday-worship-october-25-2020

​A PRAYING CHURCH - FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020
​1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 tells us that prayer is the key to renewed life. It is also the key to the renewal of a church. Prayer is not meant to be a means to have our every whim satisfies but a time to offer ourselves to God as a blank canvas to the artist. The power of prayer can transform the entire world. Listen to the sermon to learn more. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/a-praying-church-for-sunday-october-18-2020

​AN INVITATION - FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
​​In Matthew 22:1-14, God has invited us all to be guests at his table. Some will reject his invitation. God is gracious. God is just. We often emphasize the first and ignore the latter. This parable includes both grace and justice. The good news is that God’s grace is offered to all. We do a disservice to God and to God’s grace if we believe there are not consequences for rejecting that same grace. View this video for a blessing. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/an-invitation-for-sunday-worship-on-october-11-2020​

ONE FAITH, ONE LORD, ONE TABLE - FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020
​The church’s story is permeated by squabbling from the very beginning. Jesus made it clear, in the celebration of the first communion meal in the Upper Room that he expected unity within his church. He said to do this in remembrance of me. Today, we know full well our culpability in the disunity of the church universal, so let us celebrate World Communion Sunday with one faith, one Lord, and one table. View this message for a blessing. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/one-faith-one-lord-one-table-october-4-2020-worship-service

DOING THE FATHER'S WILL - FOR SUDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
​In Matthew 21:23-32, Jesus uses a family drama to offer some hard teachings about faithfulness, and he gives us a snapshot of life in the church and the world that is just as applicable now as it was then. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/doing-the-fathers-will-for-virtual-worship-september-27-2020
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IT IS NOT FAIR - FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
​In this parable, a landowner recruited workers throughout the day to work in his vineyard, but pays everyone the same daily wage regardless of the number of hours they worked that day, which angers those who labored the longest. Is this fair? The parable warns against allowing one’s self to be reduced to a reward for one’s work and indicates that the kingdom of God has other metrics. We have a reward coming! Learn about this reward. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/it-is-not-fair-for-virtual-worship-september-20-2020

FORGIVENESS - FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020​
​Jesus wants us get stronger and healthier by making the decision to forgive. He challenges us to turn that choice into an ongoing process, based on a willingness to forgive others because God has forgiven us. Listen to todays message and learn to forgive others. Click to view video. www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/forgiveness-for-virtual-worship-september-13-2020

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PICK YOUR BATTLES  - FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
In our Gospel reading, Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus discusses how broken relationships in human affairs can be handled. Discipline and reconciliation whether in a congregation or in personal relationship are important. Remember, we even love those who disagree with us. Right??? www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/pick-your-battles-for-virtual-worship-september-6-2020

IN THE WAY OR ON THE WAY - FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
Jesus wants excepts us to be obedient and faithful. Jesus announces his destiny of suffering obedience. Yet, Jesus invites his disciples to share in that radical destiny of obedience to death, promising that such willingness and total obedience is the door to new life. Can you do that? Click here to view video: www.fairfieldpres.com/blog/in-the-way-or-on-the-way-for-virtual-worship-worship-august-30-2020

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DARE TO  DIFFERENT - FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020
God wants us to be different from the norm of the world. In Romans 12:1-8, Paul tells us how to accomplish this. Paul challenges us to live our lives not conforming to the standards of this age, but to allow ourselves to be transformed and live by the standards of Christ. Do we dare to be different form the norm? Click here to view video.

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WHERE IS OUR HOPE? - FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020
Do you have hope, faith, and persistence when you approach Jesus? In our Gospel reading from Matthew 15, Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman who is the epitome of these characteristics. Jesus rebukes her for bothering him since she is not a Jew. How would you have handled this situation? Persisted or given up? Hear today's message to find out. Click here to view video. 

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FEAR AND COURAGE - FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020

Jesus is with us in the storms of life. We need to keep our eyes on him and trust him in everything. In this Gospel lesson, we see Jesus as the one who bestows power; as the one who calls to his follower, to those who are willing to step out of the safety of the boat, “come to me” - and who supports them when they do so.  Click here to view the video.

CHRIST'S FAMILY - FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020
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In our Epistle reading for August 2nd, we read in Romans about the relationship between Jew and Gentiles and the failure of the Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Paul struggles with this dilemma. Click here to view the service video.

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DISCOVERING THE KINGDOM'S TREASURES - FOR SUNDAY JULY 26, 2020

​Who wants weeds in their garden? Who wants leaven mixed into their unleavened bread? What would you do if you found treasure? In a series of parables, Jesus confronts his disciples with the radical nature of the Kingdom.  Click here to view the service video.              

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​PULLING WEEDS - FOR SUNDAY JULY 19, 2020​

In our Gospel reading for July 19th, we read in Matthew about weeds and seeds. The summary of this parable of the wheat and the weeds is about creating the right environment for everyone to "shine like the sun." Do you remember the saying from the 60's and 70's, "Bloom Where You Are Planted?" Click here to view the service video.
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JUST SOW THE SEEDS FOR GOD'S HARVEST - for Sunday, July 12, 2020

If you've planted seeds, you know not all of them are necessarily going to take root, sprout, and grow into maturity. Some do, some don't. How does this give us insights into ministry as servants of the Lord and his Kingdom? Readings from Second Isaiah and Jesus' parable of the sower have much to teach us. To access the service video,  click here. For Fairfielder and Order of Virtual Worship, see below.

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WORSHIP DOWNLOADS for Sunday, July 12, 2020

Click here to access the Order of Virtual Worship and Fairfielder for this Sunday.

Come to Me - for Sunday, July 5, 2020
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In our Gospel reading for July 5th, we read in Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Click here for sermon text.

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​CONTRARY TO THE ACCEPTABLE - for Sunday, June 28, 2020

We all want to be accepted and acceptable. It's natural. But what about when the situation calls for going against what is accepted and acceptable? Prophet Jeremiah did this regularly and Jesus teaches his missionary disciples about accepting the unacceptable. Learn more from the service-sermon video by clicking here.

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<NEW> WORSHIP DOWNLOADS - for June 28, 2020 - - click here for the downloads page

MISSION OUT-OF-CONTROL - from Sunday, June 21, 2020

Have a plan. Maintain control. Until ... it goes out of control. Now what? Abraham teaches faith amid an impossible situation. Jesus teaches faith to his disciples going out in mission. Let them teach you - click here for the sermon video.

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DON'T LAUGH WHEN I TELL YOU THIS - fr. Sunday, June 14, 2020

​You laugh at the preposterous, but it comes in God-sized packages, too. Sarah laughs at the idea of a senior pregnancy. Jesus's instructions to his disciples seem preposterous, too, but he is serious. Learn more in the sermon video - click here.

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KINGDOM DISRUPTING DISTRACTIONS - Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2020

Sorry, no sermon video this week. Trinity Sunday celebrates a doctrine which really amounts to a big distraction. The scriptures contain further distractions on top of that distraction. To sort it all out, you should download the sermon text by clicking here.

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KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT - Pentecost, May 31, 2020

How does the Spirit empower disciples? Numbers 11 shows the Spirit at work and  Paul teaches in Galatians 5 what being Spirit-led is all about. Discover more in the service video - click here.

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NAVIGATING TWO WORLDS - for Sunday, May 24, 2020

The resurrection faith leaves the faithful caught between two worlds, needing to navigate them both, but with the purpose and the promise of Jesus with them. This isn't easy. The ascension passage in Acts 1 and Jesus' final prayer in John's gospel lead us to consider the task. Click here for the service video.

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A JOURNEY COMPANION - for Sunday, May 17, 2020

Are you alone? Is it only about you? Are you and what you want all that really matter? Hopefully, you can affirm a community of faith, of fellow travelers who are never alone. Paul and Jesus teach how God is present, our journey companion, as we embody Jesus' love in our lives. Click here for the service video.

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RESUMING IN-PERSON WORSHIP - Friday, May 15, 2020

Yesterday, May 14, the Session approved the resumption of in-person services starting Sunday, June 7. There are particular mandatory conditions for those attending and there will be major changes in the manner in which we conduct worship. Please read the whole document by clicking here.

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THE AUTHORITY CHALLENGE - for Sunday, May 10, 2020

Authority matters. We should be checking it routinely. But what about authority on matters of faith and religion? What about Jesus' authority? First martyr Stephen upsets the authorities while Jesus tries to convince his own disciples of his authority. Get the full scoop in the service video - click here.

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THE VOICE WE LISTEN TO - for Sunday, May 3, 2020

The shepherd's voice should be recognized and followed. Yet, a clamor demands our attention. Isaiah tells us that God hears while Jesus contrasts his ways with the religious leaders - the thieves and robbers. See the service video - click here.

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WALK BEFORE THE LORD - for Sunday, April 26, 2020

How do we live a resurrection faith? That's always the question faced by disciples. We look at Psalm 116 and walk the road to Emmaus to clear our vision and face the new reality. ​Learn the whole story by watching the service video - click here.

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EXPERIENCE IS BELIEVING - for Sunday, April 19, 2020

Was Thomas wrong to doubt? Though he is an object lesson for Jesus, he reminds us - faith is not some abstract idea. The author of Psalm 16 shares his confidence in God all the way . Check out the video for the whole story by clicking here.

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CAN YOU SEE THE LORD? - for Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020

He is risen! The tomb is empty. Where did he go? Enthroned among gleaming clouds of heaven awaiting your arrival at death? Umm ... no. Find out the whole story and share in the remembrance of the Lord's Supper with me in the video by clicking here.

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PASSION PROMISE: BETRAYAL AND BLESSING - for Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020

The events of Passion Week are all about betrayal and blessing. We combine the Palm Sunday reading with a Maundy Thursday reading to see how people and events play out with results that raise some questions for us. Check it all out in the sermon video by clicking here.

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FAITH MEETS DEATH - for Sunday, March 29, 2020

Life-and-death topics reveal a lot about us, uncovering our poor priorities, our weak faith, and our desire to play God. A trip to the vivid valley of dry bones with prophet Ezekiel comes together with Jesus confronting the death of Lazarus to show us God's promise of new life in faith. See the sermon video about the power of faith by clicking here.

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BLIND TO THE BLESSING - for Sunday, March 22, 2020

They say that 'seeing is believing,' but what if you need to believe but can't see it? Yes, you have a problem. We see Samuel who can't see what God sees, and while Jesus may have healed a blind man, he also showed that the sighted were quite blind in their own way. Click here for the sermon video and check your vision.

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SATISFYING THE THIRST - from Sunday, March 15, 2020

Water is vital for life. It can also symbolize the promise of life. In their Exodus wanderings, God's people have a strange complaint, and Jesus' simple request for water from a Samaritan woman becomes an opening to describe "living water." ​No sermon video this week (sorry, the camera stopped halfway through), but there are downloads if you click here.

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FAITH OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE - from Sunday, March 8, 2020

The comfort zone is a trap for people of faith. The faithful life REQUIRES leaving one's comfort zone. As Abram is called out of his, we hear Jesus calling Nicodemus out of his. Very different results. Do you see yourself in one of these? View the sermon video by clicking here and find out.

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THE GOD TEMPTATION - from Sunday, March 1, 2020

Temptation! This is the way we start Lent. But we need to scale up our thoughts so that we can see what is really important, and what is the crux of all sinfulness. Return to the Garden of Eden and join Jesus in the wilderness as we journey into the one, great temptation. Check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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BIG SHOW, SIMPLE MESSAGE - from Sunday, February 23. 2020

The big show is very impressive - pillars of fire, towers of cloud, brilliant lights. But the razzle-dazzle may keep us from hearing the simple message. Follow Moses up the mountain and join Jesus' disciples at the Transfiguration to see if you can hear the simple message. Check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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DOES JESUS REALLY MEAN THAT? - from Sunday, February 16, 2020

Jesus' teaching is so radical, we may ask: "Is he serious?" or "Does Jesus really mean that?" Moses reminds the people that God's way is really different while Jesus' Sermon on the Mount considers strategies for resisting oppressors and demands love for one's enemies. Get the whole story in the sermon video by clicking here.

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WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT? PART TWO - from Sunday, February 9, 2020

Picking up where we left off last week, we return to the voice of a prophet denouncing empty devotions, and we continue to explore the Beatitudes for directions, insights, and answers about what Jesus' Kingdom vision is all about. Explore it all in the sermon video by clicking here.

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WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT? - from Sunday, February 2, 2020

What does the Lord expect? Going to church on Sunday? Think again. Micah tells God's people what God expects, and Jesus teaches a radical vision of the Kingdom and its way of life. ​Explore what the Lord expects from all of us in the sermon video by clicking here.

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WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS - from Sunday, January 26, 2020

Have a handle on what is wisdom and what is foolishness? Our understanding is generally shaped by the world and our culture. God has different ideas and ways. The prophet Isaiah gets us started, and then apostle Paul explains the difference in 1st Corinthians. Get your mind rattled by the sermon video - click here.

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GREATER THAN YOU IMAGINE - from Sunday, January 19, 2020

We can be surprised by how much more there is to to something than we realized. Of course, this applies to ourselves - we are greater than we imagine. The suffering servant in Isaiah is shocked as God alters his mission, and John's disciples discover Jesus is more than they imagined. Click here for the sermon video.

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JOINING THE MISSION - from Sunday, January 12, 2020
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​As we look at Jesus' baptism, we should be asking about our own. The prophet Isaiah shares God's word about the chosen one and details his mission. Matthew tells us about Jesus' baptism by John. Lots of questions and challenges are posed here. Find out more in the sermon video by clicking here.

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GAME-CHANGER - from Sunday, January 5, 2020

New Year, but is it same old thing ahead? Time for a game-changer? That is what God does - game-changes in a big way. Jeremiah has a wonderful prophecy, but it's really wacky, and the coming of Jesus has the Gospel of John re-write the creation story. Can your game change? Find out more in the sermon video - click here.

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THE OTHER CHRISTMAS STORY - from Sunday, December 29, 2019

Luke's lovely Nativity story is done. Now, Matthew's dark story of Herod, the Magi, and the holy family made refugees is juxtaposed. The mystery of the Promised One from God takes us to another level this week. Learn more about what Jesus's birth means as reality disrupts the scene - click here for the sermon video.

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IMMANUEL, MESSY CHILD OF GOD'S PROMISE - fr Sunday, December 22, 2019​

God's surprises can really mess up a nice, neat, orderly life. Surprise children are one way. Pathetic King Ahaz is confronted by the prophet Isaiah with a child named Immanuel, and Joseph has to figure out the mess with Mary being pregnant. How to decide and manage the mess? Click here to learn from the sermon video.

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JOY FOR THE NOBODIES - from Sunday, December 15, 2019

Luke's gospel is all about the nobodies. If you're reading this, you're a somebody, not a nobody. God has been interested in the nobodies for a long, long time. We hear joy in both Isaiah's prophecy and Mary's song, joy for the nobodies of every season. Discover more with the sermon video - click here.

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THE KINGDOM HAS COME NEAR - from Sunday, December 8, 2019

Our time? Check your watch. God's time? Ask a prophet. We consult with Isaiah and John the Baptist about God's time at hand. What will God do next and what does God expect from us? The Advent season of preparation can get us on the right track. Learn more from the sermon video - click here.

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NOT ONE STONE LEFT ON ANOTHER - from Sunday, November 17, 2019

"... Great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events" - the apocalypse! These disturbing visions of a future calamity in which God plays a role get read without context and are often misunderstood. We examine apocalyptic accounts to try to understand what's going on. Click here for more.

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BUILDING ON THE PROMISE - from Sunday, November 10, 2019

Visionaries see the promise that many don't. Haggai sees the Temple in ruins and prophesies God's promised blessing. Jesus recalls the vision and authority of his mentor, John the Baptist, who announced that God's Kingdom age had come. How do you build on the promise? Click here for the sermon video.

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BECOMING SAINTS - from Sunday, November 3, 2019

Last week, we were Pharisees; this week, we are saints. Can we be both? The path of the saints teaches us that the way is uneven. We consider hapless strongman Samson and the rich, despised tax collector Zacchaeus who have lessons for saints of every age. Click here to enjoy the sermon video.

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TRUE CONFESSIONS - from Sunday, October 27, 2019

We know what sin is, or at least we think we do. Does God view sin the same way? We're all on the same page about sin, right? Hmm. We look at the prophet Joel's dire call for true contrition and Jesus' parable of the self-righteous Pharisee and the self-abasing tax collector. Check in with the sermon video by clicking here.

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CHALLENGES OF SMALL VOICES - from Sunday, October 20, 2019

They have no names. Yet they are the stars in God's universe. Little, inconsequential people - the extras in a movie - shine in the scriptures about Naaman's healing and Jesus' parable of the persistent widow, and bring us new light. Discover how God's little people deliver results in the sermon video - click here.

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REMEMBERING GRATITUDE - from Sunday, October 13, 2019

​Hardship and gratitude. It is pretty difficult to see these two together. Is there a blessing wrapped in that hardship? Jeremiah shares God's difficult word to the exiles, and Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns gratitude. Get all the insights by watching the sermon video - click here.

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INCREASE OUR FAITH! - from Worldwide Communion Sunday, October 6, 2019

Why are bad things happening? God, don't you care? So cries the prophet Habakkuk who sees the injustice around him. Jesus' disciples cry, "Increase our faith!" when they hear about Kingdom-level forgiveness. Divine intervention is an easy ask, since we'd prefer to avoid the hard work.  Click here for the sermon video.

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INVESTING IN GOD'S PROMISE - from Sunday, September 29, 2019

Money, money, money .... MONEY! The most disliked topic comes at us straight on this week - faith and money. Ever thought of investing in God's promise? Not the counsel you're likely to hear from your financial adviser. But you will hear about it in this week's sermon - click here for the sermon video.

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TOTAL FRAUD GETS BLESSING! - from Sunday, September 22, 2019

Total fraud gets blessing? Yup. How do we make sense of Bible stories that reward bad behavior? Jacob scams his dad and defrauds his brother. Jesus tells a parable about a cheating manager, who cheats even more, and then gets commended by the same boss for his deviousness. Click here for the video and some answers.

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TOO PRECIOUS TO LOSE - from Sunday, September 19, 2019

Flawed, even failed ... yet still precious? Looking at the golden calf episode in Exodus 32 and Jesus' teaching about the lost sheep and lost coin, we get insight into why God puts up with flawed, even failed people like us. Get all the insights by watching the sermon video - click here.

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TREASURE IN CLAY JARS - from Sunday, September 8, 2019

The Potter's wheel keeps turning, finding in the lump of clay that treasure which awaits within. Remember that each of us is an unfinished work, and that our life journeys are shaping us on the Potter's wheel. Re-discover how we are treasure in clay jars! Click here for the sermon video.

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EXALTED IN THE HUMBLE SEAT - from Sunday, September 1, 2019

Be well-positioned. Get the best seat. Climb the ladder. Upward mobility! Except God and Jesus have flipped the order. Downward mobility? You betcha. Take your (preferred) seat and find out what this is all about and what it means for us. Click here for the sermon video and downloads. 

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NOT A ONE DAY SABBATH - from Sunday, August 25, 2019

The Sabbath is one day, right? What about the other six days? Yes, they matter as Isaiah teaches and as Jesus pushes back against token, meaningless spirituality. To get the whole story, click here for the sermon video and get the downloads below the video panel.

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A TOUGH LOVE DECISION - from Sunday, August 18, 2019

Decisions about tough choices can be vexing. Add love to the context of decision-making, and that complicates things greatly. God's loving providence has expectations in Isaiah 5, and Jesus pushes his listeners to decide because the time has come - no more fence-sitting. Click here for the sermon video.

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READY TO SERVE - from Sunday, August 11, 2019

For meals, "ready to serve" is great; someone else did all the work for you. For living faithfully, "ready to serve" means you need to get to work and keep at it. We look at how young Samuel and Jesus' stories about the faithful servant and the moron householder speak to us. Click here for the sermon video.

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A WORTHY, LASTING TRUST - from Sunday, August 4, 2019

Relationships require trust. How much do the faithful trust their God? The track record isn't good. The prophet Hosea sees God and Israel in a parent-child relationship, while Jesus addresses riches and what they can do to a person. See where you stand in your trust relationship with God by clicking here for the sermon video.

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GOD IS READY TO BLESS - from Sunday, July 28, 2019

God is a participant in covenant with the faithful and the source of our blessings. God is ready to bless. Does that mean God is like Santa Claus? If we've been good, do we get what we want? Consider this further - ​click here for more and the sermon video.

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THE PRIORITY OF LISTENING: WORD AND KINGDOM - from Sunday, July 21, 2019

Are you paying attention? Have your priorities straight? Getting yelled at by your sister? Then maybe you're doing what is really needed. Jesus thought so. We explore the Martha and Mary story, and we hear about a famine of the word of God in Amos. Pay attention and click here to read on and view the sermon video.

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WHEN RELIGIOUS ISN'T RIGHTEOUS - from Sunday, July 14, 2019

If you do all of the right things, go to church, pray, donate, hold the door, be nice to the old curmudgeon, you should be good, right? What if religious isn't righteous? What does that look like? We have some examples. Keep reading and watch the sermon video by clicking here.

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RECOGNIZING THE REAL HERO - from Sunday, July 7, 2019

The super-hero saves us! But super-hero plots show us to be weak, passive, and ineffective in overcoming the great threat. We should recognize that the real hero is different, empowering the weak and even welcoming the "threats." Find out more with the sermon video by clicking here.

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TAKING UP THE MANTLE - from Sunday, June 30, 2019

Passing the mantle of responsibility from one to another is tricky business. We follow the unlikely and peculiar calling of Elisha who (literally) is given the mantle of Elijah, and how Jesus field-trains his disciples to do what he has been doing. Explore more in the sermon video by clicking here.

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SPIRITUAL CONTESTS - from Sunday, June 23, 2019

Celebrating the Holy Spirit should remind us that there are other spirits tugging at us, coveting our dedication to their promises. Moderns don't deal well with this idea of spirits influencing our lives. We explore "Spiritual Contests" - click here for the sermon video.

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GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH THE SPIRIT - from Sunday, June 16, 2019

On Trinity Sunday, we realize that we really don't know that much about the Holy Spirit. Big wind, tongues of fire, strange speech of Pentecost, but what is it all about? Insights come from Jesus in John 16 and Proverbs 8. Learn more by watching the sermon video by clicking here. 

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THE SPIRIT EMPOWERS - from Sunday, June 9, 2019

Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples and people are speaking and understanding languages not their own. It's the opposite of the Tower of Babel. But wait: what is God doing here? Isn't this asking for trouble? No sermon video this week, but you can download the sermon and check it out - click here.

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LIBERATION IN BONDAGE TOGETHER - from Sunday, June 2, 2019

Liberation from bondage brings freedom. Or can it mean becoming bound to something else? Both? We explore the bondage from which we seek liberation, and the exchange for bondage to what we seek, to what is worthy. Confused? Get it sorted by clicking here for the sermon video.

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FAITH MOVING FORWARD - from Sunday, May 26, 2019

You have a map and a plan. You even plans B and C. Then they all fall apart. Now what? Move forward where you had no intention of going, or go home and start over? Faith pushes ahead as Paul's experience shows. Faith in Jesus' way also brings new direction. Learn more in the sermon video by clicking here.

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LOVE OPENS TO THE SPIRIT - from Sunday, May 19, 2019

"Love one another," Jesus said. He meant to love like Jesus loved, and that can be a tall order when all kinds of people are involved and all kinds of things stand in your way. He didn't mean to love lots of people; he meant all of them. Explore this further in the sermon video by clicking here.

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RESURRECTION POWER - from Sunday, April 28, 2019

The resurrection is a demonstration of sacred power, and sends the message of resurrection power to disciples in every age. But, as stated last week, is this the kind of power that people actually want? Read further by clicking here - but, sorry, no sermon video this week. However, you can download the sermon.

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REMEMBER HIS WORDS - from Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019

There is power in the resurrection! But the big question is, do you want it? Why should reckoning with Easter inspire awe and fear? Find out what Jesus' resurrection isn't about, and what it means for his disciples. Click here to view the sermon video.

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HIDDEN FROM THEIR EYES - from Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019

The traditional Palm Sunday victory procession has a big flaw; Jesus weeping over the city in the middle of it. Looking to Zechariah 9 for the source, we find answers in Luke 19 to the question: What did they actually see?  Was it, as Jesus said, 'hidden from their eyes'? Get answers in the sermon video by clicking here.

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AROMA OF GRATITUDE - from Sunday, April 7, 2019

Kitchen, bathroom, garage - the aroma can define the space. What does gratitude smell like? God isn't sniffing any gratitude in Isaiah 43. But Mary fills the room with the aroma of gratitude, as her perfume anoints Jesus' feet. And there is a reprimand. Sort it all out by clicking here to watch the sermon video.

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GRACE REALLY IS AMAZING - from Sunday, March 31, 2019

Everybody knows about grace and the blessing of God. Great stuff! Love it! But it gets rather prickly when un-grace or un-graciousness gets pushed in our face, like in the parable of the prodigal son. It seems like such a nice story, and it is, but ... well ... you better check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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TIME TO TURN - from Sunday, March 24, 2019

Turning around something big requires some new operators - think tug boats for aircraft carriers. Isaiah urges a big turn for the Babylonian exiles with liberation on the horizon. Jesus tells of the fig tree that is all about making a turnaround. That's what Lent is for! ​You can get the whole story in the sermon video by clicking here.

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TEMPTATION FOR MORE - from Sunday, March 17, 2019

Temptation is best understood in its first instance in the Garden of Eden. From that quaint story, great truths emerge. Then we look at Jesus' temptation, and then see what Lent calls us to do. Watch the sermon video by clicking here and get insights to temptation and sinfulness that requires our spiritual strength.

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FIRST FRUITS FAITH - from Sunday, March 10, 2019

How do we observe Lent and get our spiritual house not only in order but also renewed and enlivened? We look at the idea of first fruits as a key component in shaping a focus on God, God's promises, and God's blessings. Click here to check out the sermon video as we seek to clear aside the trash and connect to what really matters.

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SPIRITUAL MAKEOVER - from Sunday, March 3, 2019

Radiant face! Dazzling white clothes! Now that's a spiritual makeover. God's presence with Kingdom servants Moses and Jesus is spiritual empowerment and sacred authority. How does your spirit shine? Or are you due for makeover? Find out more in the sermon video by clicking here.

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DETOURING DEAD ENDS - from Sunday, February 24, 2019

Dead-ends seem like defeat. For the faithful, we need to know that the paths of the Kingdom go someplace. That should encourage us to work for detours and keep advancing, like the Joseph saga in Genesis. Even Jesus learns something about dead-ends in Matthew 15. And you? Learn more with the sermon video by clicking here.

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IN WHAT WE TRUST - from Sunday, February 17, 2019

'In God we trust' is everywhere in the USA, but it is more sentiment than substance, a civil religious icon. Jeremiah and Jesus help us to understand what this means in God's eyes. The Word may make you squirm a bit, but it is supposed to do that, you know. Read more and check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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GET INTO DEEP WATER - from Sunday, February 10, 2019

Deep water is not a place where folks choose to venture. But God calls us out to it, to go over our heads, and discover. Isaiah's calling is way over his head, and Jesus tells Simon Peter to go deep and discover. What deep are you being called to? Explore the deep water with the sermon video by clicking here.

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GOD'S DIFFICULT WORD - from February 3, 2019

Take out the parts of God's Word that are too difficult and you gut scripture, like the slave's Bible (pictured - click here for more). You don't need to take parts out; you can ignore the difficult Word for you. And when you go with the difficult Word, watch out! Jeremiah and Jesus give insights. View the sermon video by clicking here.

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GOD'S WORD AWAKENS - from Sunday, January 27, 2019

Do the words of the Bible become God's Word, are they God's Word, or just words? Mere words don't cause weeping, like we hear about in Nehemiah 8. Jesus reaches into God's Word to define his servant mission for the Kingdom in Luke 4. What is happening here? Click here for the sermon video and learn more.

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KNOWN BY NAME - from Sunday, January 20, 2019

What's in a name? Lots. How about the name that God has for you? Isaiah's prophecy is a vision of renaming and redefining God's people. Jesus at Cana is about how he is known ... or not. There is a lot to learn here. Get some insights by checking out the sermon video by clicking here.

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MAKING GOOD ON THE PROMISE - from Sunday, January 13, 2019

God's people aren't too good with promises, but God is. We had two scriptures about promises on Sunday: Isaiah and the promised return from exile, and Jesus' baptism as the original broken promise is bridged in him with the promise of new life. Learn more by clicking here to view the sermon video and access the downloads.

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TERROR RESISTANCE - from Sunday, January 6, 2019

We leave the charming tale of the nativity and enter the dark side with Epiphany. Herod is the main player in the story of Matthew 2, not the Magi. Pharaoh plays a similar role in Exodus 1. Both are thwarted as they target children with acts of terror in order to advance their power. Click here to view the sermon video.

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GROWING DIFFERENTLY - from Sunday, December 30, 2018

Will you grow and develop in the new year? You will decide. Considering the stories of two young men, Samuel and Jesus, we gain insights about what it means to grow and mature in faith and serve God. Get directed to faith matters in the new year and watch the sermon video by clicking here.

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SHEPHERD IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD - from Sunday, December 23, 2018

Comprehending what God is doing is an exercise in counter-intuitive thinking. The nativity story is totally counter-intuitive, counter to the expected narrative of how the world would expect this to be done. With mercy and faith at the forefront, stretch your mind with Sunday's sermon - click here to watch the video and access the downloads.

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BEARING FRUIT THAT'S WORTHY - from Sunday, December 16, 2018

John the Baptist demands that those seeking baptism 'bear fruits worthy of repentance.' He is not talking apples and oranges. A new way is coming and he tells what that requires from everyone. In Ezekiel, God's vision of peace and security for all is related. God's Kingdom is the subject in both.  Learn more from the sermon video by clicking here.

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PATHWAYS IN THE WILDERNESS - from Sunday, December 9, 2018

The wilderness is not just a natural, wild place; it's when we're dislodged from our familiar and put into strange places off our usual map. The prophet Malachi and the song of Zechariah speak to God's promise for God's people in the wilderness. Do you remember being in the wilderness? See the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE DAYS ARE COMING - from Sunday, December 2, 2018

Prophets tell us 'the days are coming!' What are these days, this time, this season? There was foreboding in the prophets, but much more. What if those days are closer than you imagined? ​Explore this in the sermon video by clicking here, and note the downloads available below the video panel.

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NO, YOUR VOTE DOESN'T COUNT - from Sunday, November 25, 2018

If Christ is King, do I get a vote on that? In short, no. Ideas about the cosmic regency of the Son of Man appear in Daniel, and the other-worldliness of Jesus and his Kingdom gets debated with Pilate in John's gospel.  Will you understand Jesus and his Kingdom any better? Click here to watch the sermon video and learn more.

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NO TURNING BACK - from Sunday, November 18, 2018

You can always turn back if the path ahead looks less than desirable. What about those times when there is no turning back? Stories from Elisha's call and some of Jesus' travel teachings to his disciples push us to ask questions serving about God and Kingdom. Explore this in the sermon video by clicking here.

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AN ALL-IN FAITH - from Sunday, November 11, 2018

Decision-making continues consideration as we examine what it means to have "An All-In Faith" or one that picks its preferred spots. Two widows give us perspective. See how each widow provides a frame of reference for genuine faithfulness in the sermon video by clicking here.

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SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? - from Sunday, November 4, 2018

Decisions, decisions. How we handle regular faith decisions along life's journey is indicative of how we will handle the big ones when they land on our plate. The story of Ruth and Naomi, and Jesus' ambiguous answer to the scribe provide great insights. Click here to watch the sermon video to get some answers.

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KINGDOM LIFE IS ETERNAL LIFE - from Sunday, October 28, 2018

How is eternal life lived now? I finally get to answer that question (begun last week) by spinning off 7 (count'em) basics and then looking at the connected ideas between Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25.  Find out how this works in the sermon video by clicking here.

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ETERNAL LIFE IS KINGDOM LIFE - from Sunday, October 21, 2018

Yes, I packed four sermons into one (bad, bad) and still didn't finish the point. Find out why the Garden of Eden story is so crucial to understanding scripture, what the end time is really about, when eternal life happens, and what it is not. Too much, I know! Click here to watch the sermon video.

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BUSTED: "BUT I'M GOOD!" - from Sunday, October 14, 2018

I'm a good person. You're a good person, too, right? Did you visit the Cosmic Therapist this Sunday? Maybe our complacency about the demands of the way of the Kingdom needs some attention. A lot of challenging ideas await. See what you think in the sermon video by clicking here.

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EATING FRUIT OR BEARING FRUIT - from Sunday, October 7, 2018

Bear fruit for the Kingdom! Looking at a passage from Nehemiah, we find the fruit of God's people is being eaten by the Persians. In John, Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches and the fruit to be produced. What fruit do you produce? Click here to learn more and view the sermon video.

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FRIEND OR FRAUD - from Sunday, September 30, 2018

​Is this for real, or is it a fake, a fraud, or a forgery? If someone is doing things that God wants done, but does not demonstrate the proper credentials, how should it be regarded? Moses and Jesus can teach us a few things. Read more and get the whole story from the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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THE GREAT MEASURE - from Sunday, September 23, 2018

What is the great measure for the faithful? What is the first element that precedes and is required for any virtue? We look at the "capable wife," and the jealousy of the disciples wanting what they don't deserve. Get all the insights into these texts with the sermon video or the audio MP3 by clicking here.

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WHO IS HE (TO YOU)? - from Sunday, September 16, 2018

An easy question? Who is Jesus? I mean, to you? Jesus has been viewed through many lenses over two millennia. Can we find an accurate one? Maybe it's yours. See how well you fare by watching the sermon video by clicking here. There is also an MP3 file for audio listening at the link below the video panel to download .

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THE LORD AND HIS PRAYER: TEMPTATION AND EVIL - Sunday, September 9, 2018

Temptation gets defined by the spirit of the person confronted with one. But it also goes back to the original temptation in the Garden: to become like God, to take God's place. With the Lord's Prayer, we need to think big, too.  Find out more in the sermon video by clicking here, and note the MP3 audio-only file also now available.

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THE LORD AND HIS PRAYER: FORGIVEN AS FORGIVING - Sunday, September 2, 2018

Forgiving: nothing simple here. It's another petition in the Lord's Prayer as we continue to examine what it all means. There is a lot here. Click here to view the sermon video. Also note that there is now an MP3 audio-only file for downloading and portable play on your phone, MP3 player, etc. - just look below the video panel.

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THE LORD AND HIS PRAYER: KINGDOM BREAD - from Sunday, August 26, 2018

The Lord's Prayer, every Sunday. Know it by heart, right? Last week, we learned about the prayer's revolutionary subversiveness in its first three petitions. That was a bit mind-blowing for some folks. This week: bread. What kind of bread? This is not so easy! Click here to watch the sermon video and get confused with me!

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THE LORD AND HIS PRAYER: FIRST THINGS FIRST - from Sunday, August 19, 2018

The Lord's Prayer. You say it every week. What does it say? Bread, forgive, temptation, or something. Take a close look at the radical things you're saying every week as we look at the startling opening phrases of the Lord's Prayer. Watch the sermon video by clicking here and  discover what's really going on.

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MASTERY AND MYSTERY - from Sunday, August 5, 2018

Feeling in control, we're happy, believing we have mastery. However, we don't handle mystery too well. When the material and literal are replaced by the spiritual and poetic, we have to set aside our desire for mastery and embrace the mystery. Click here to watch the sermon video and see if you know the lesson that Jesus is teaching.

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NEW HEAVENS, NEW EARTH - from Sunday, July 29, 2018

Visions of new heavens and a new earth coming 600 years apart. What's that all about? See how different they are, and how they remind today's people of God what we're called to do. View the sermon video and access the downloads by clicking here.

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SERVING THE GREATEST - from Sunday, July 22, 2018

There is priority in serving the greatest God in Joshua, and priority in serving the greatest needs in Matthew. Aiming for greatness in the Kingdom of God? It isn't like the world's way. Click here to get the whole story and the sermon video.

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LEARNING TO DANCE - from Sunday, July 15, 2018

Dancing sometimes needs a partner. Sunday's lessons showed some interesting dance partnerships; King Herod playing God, and King David partnering with God. Ready to dance? Read more and check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS - from Sunday, July 8, 2018

Strength in weakness? Weakness in strength? Whaaat? Strong is strong - better! - and weak is weak - worse! Right? Jesus reveals the ways of the Kingdom and flips things upside down. This week, we have a good example. Learn more by clicking here to view the sermon video.

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SPEAKING BY SACRED AUTHORITY - from Sunday, July 1, 2018

Got authority? Then you can get things done. When someone gives authority, they expect you to use it. We look at Ezekiel's call and Jesus healing the centurion's servant to see sacred authority at work for God's people, and learn how we're authorized. Get the whole story by clicking here to view the sermon video.

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"HAVE YOU STILL NO FAITH?" - from Sunday, June 24, 2018

Stormy seas in our personal lives can make our journey rock and roll in troubling ways. How does calm and peace get restored? And why are these storms blowing up our lives anyway? Find Jonah in the picture, too, when you get some answers to these questions in the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE KINGDOM BY SEEDS - from Sunday, June 17, 2018

Our scriptures talk about God's Kingdom growing from modest beginnings. Ezekiel talks about taking the "crown" from a cedar while Jesus talks about seed growing. How is this about the Kingdom? And most importantly, what's that seed? Find answers by clicking here to see the sermon video.

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THE KINGDOM VERSUS THE RELIGIOUS - from Sunday, June 10, 2018

The Sabbath is sacred in Judaism - no work on this sacred day. Yet Jesus seems to flout the prohibition on Sabbath work. His answers to his Pharisee accusers seem really odd. What's he doing? Click here to watch the sermon video and find out.

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AUTHORITY FOR NEW TIMES - from Sunday, June 3, 2018

Things change, and who has authority in new times can change, too. The struggle for authority teaches about true authority, God and Kingdom. Check out the lessons in these two great stories, and hear the demons shriek in the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE CALL - ABOVE AND BEYOND - from Sunday, May 27, 2018

An alarming vision from above and beyond during worship leads to sacred calling for Isaiah, and Jesus goes above and beyond the traditional bounds of thinking, confusing a leader of tradition. Two great stories push believers into new dimensions of thought and understanding. Take the journey in the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT - from Sunday, May 20, 2018

Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit! But wait, it's been around from the beginning, hasn't it? So we briefly look at the gifts of the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit ... and toss those lukewarm lists aside. What's next? Click here to view the sermon video ... and find out what's up with that awful graphic.

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SANCTIFIED AND SENT - from Sunday, May 13, 2018

Jesus prays for his followers just before his arrest in John 17. Jesus asks God to sanctify them. He admits that they are like him, of the word, not of the world, and therefore they, too, will be hated by the world.  Why? And how are we doing with that? Click here to learn more from the sermon video and downloads.

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THE NEW COMMUNITY: LOVE'S MANDATE - from Sunday, April 29, 2018

God is love, and that means baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch as a child of God, brother to the Lord, and recipient of the promise of new life. Wait! This is shocking! Read on and watch the sermon video to find out why you should be shocked by clicking here.

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THE NEW COMMUNITY: SHEPHERDS AND THE SHEEP - from April 22, 2018

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep - John 10. So, when Jesus is gone, who's the shepherd? And who are the sheep? We like to think we're the sheep, but we should take another look. Click here to read more, to view the sermon video, and access the downloads.

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THE NEW COMMUNITY: NEW AND SACRED RELATIONS - from Sunday, April 15, 2018

​Continuing to explore the primary values among the earliest Jesus followers, we find a healing is more than a magic story in Acts 3, and that being right - as in being right with God - has nothing to do with correctness in 1 John 3, but everything to do with children and family. Discover more in the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE NEW COMMUNITY: NEW IDENTITY - from Sunday, April 8, 2018

The (post) Easter season features readings from the book of Acts, giving us insights to the new community forming after Jesus. Sweep away any notions of what you think the church is and start from scratch. Get some insights by clicking here to read more and check out the sermon video.

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HE IS GOING AHEAD OF YOU - from Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018

The good news of Jesus' resurrection comes with instructions. Did anyone get the message? That message remains for the faithful today. Hear the good news in the sermon video by clicking here.

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POWERS PLAY - from Sunday, March 25, 2018

When "the powers" get ruffled, the vitriol comes fast and furious. Palm Sunday is when the powers-that-be start getting anxious about Jesus. But our text in Mark 14 shows a host of powers stirred, while Isaiah's "suffering servant" gives witness to the power of faith against the powers. Get it all in the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE TIME IS COMING - from Sunday, March 18, 2018

The time is coming - a line that can be hopeful or dreadful. How about both? Jeremiah talks about a new covenant to the broken people of God as Jesus realizes that his ministry is coming to its climactic conclusion. ​Find out how this works out in both passages in the sermon video by clicking here.

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SNAKES AND SALVATION - from Sunday, March 11, 2018

SNAKES! How on earth did we get the Numbers 21 passage on the attack of the poisonous snakes on God's people at the end of the Exodus? Why does Jesus reference the snake-on-a-stick when talking to Nicodemus in John 3? We can work this out. See how by clicking here for the sermon video and more.

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THOU SHALT BE DIFFERENT - from Sunday, March 4, 2018

You're different; I'm different; we're all different. But there's a special difference that's supposed to characterize people of faith. The lessons can be found in the Ten Commandments, and further learning occurs with Jesus's Temple cleansing.  Read on and watch the sermon video by clicking here.

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PROMISE ALIGNMENT - from Sunday, February 25, 2018

Alignment off? It's a bad ride. Alignment off from God's promises? It happens all the time. Abraham falls over and busts a gut, and Peter goes from hero to scoundrel in record time, all problems in promise alignment. Click here to continue and learn more from the sermon video and downloads.

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HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF COVENANT - from Sunday, February 18, 2018

On this first Sunday of Lent, we consider the juncture of the sacred and the profane. Lent can be the time to get back on track, finding balance. We go back to God's covenant with Noah, and listen to Jesus warn about abusing spiritual disciplines for profane purposes. Click here for more on this plus the sermon video and downloads.

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PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION - from Sunday, February 11, 2018

Good magicians get you to pay attention to what they don't want you to see. God's big, dramatic displays can also cause us to miss the point. Elisha's succession to Elijah amid flaming chariots and horses, and Jesus' transfiguration need our close attention. Click here to view the sermon video access the downloads.

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STRENGTH FOR THE POWERLESS - from Sunday, February 4, 2018

Powerlessness is a terrible feeling to have. In Isaiah, God promises strength to those who feel powerless. In Mark, Jesus brings strength to the powerless and confronts those who have made them powerless.  There's lots more  - click here for the sermon video.

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THE ADDRESS OF SACRED AUTHORITY - from Sunday, January 28, 2018

Authority may be granted, but how is it recognized? Particularly in matters of faith? God's promise of a prophet in Deuteronomy and Jesus' casting out an unclean spirit in a synagogue in Mark lead us toward some answers. Click here for more, to view the sermon video, and access the downloads.

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ODD FELLOWS TURNING - from Sunday, January 21, 2018

Are you ready to make a big change in your life right now? I didn't think so. It's the odd fellows who respond to God's call and repent, or turn in a new direction. Jonah's peculiar tale and the stunning call to fishermen by Jesus help us explore turning to God. Click here for more, plus the sermon video and downloads.

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THIS CALL IS FOR YOU - from Sunday, January 14, 2018

​"Who is that?" you wonder when the phone rings. Young Samuel wondered the same thing when he heard his name called. When Nathanael was called by Jesus, he was stunned, but Jesus told him there was a whole lot more coming. Are you listening? Read more and check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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CREATING WITH THE SPIRIT - from Sunday, January 7, 2018

Creating is something most folks enjoy. The opening verses of Genesis reveal the work of the Spirit and the creation of light. The Spirit and its light are big players in Jesus' baptism, too. We explore light, Spirit, and baptism as Epiphany arrives and Jesus is revealed. Explore Spirit, light, and baptism by clicking here to read more and view the sermon video.

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VISIONS OF SALVATION - from Sunday, December 31, 2017

A new year starting can inspire visions for our future and a new life. We consider the visions for God's people as God's promise of salvation comes to them. We also ask about our own hopes, for salvation means new life for us, too. Continue this and check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON THEM - from Sunday, December 17, 2017

The Spirit of the Lord is ... always busy! The Spirit of the Lord was upon Third Isaiah proclaiming God's new covenant rooted in justice for God's little people. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Mary, and we know what happened! But the Spirit wasn't done; Mary got radical! Click here to check out the sermon video and downloads.

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A NEW WAY COMES - from Sunday, December 10, 2017

While the culture around us is into "Christmas," the church is doing Advent. How out of step? Yet Advent reminds us that a new way comes. Isaiah declares it and John the Baptist proclaims it. Does God have a new way for you? Click here to watch the sermon video and access the downloads.

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AWAKE AND ALERT AMID DARKNESS - from Sunday, December 3, 2017

Advent begins a new church calendar year. Advent begins in darkness, but is immediately challenged by the light of God's promise. The darkness is there in the prophet Isaiah and in Mark 13's portents, but so is the light to signal God's presence. Click here for the message of God's promise in the sermon video.

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WITHNESS TO BROKENNESS  from Sunday, November 26, 2017

In Mel Brooks' History of the World, playing a French king, he repeatedly declares, "It's GOOD to be the King!" But Christ the King? That's going to be very different. What characterizes his Kingdom? And if you would serve this king, what would you do? Read more on this and view the sermon video by clicking here.

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COMPLETE COMMITMENT - from Sunday, November 12, 2017

We like to hedge our commitments. You never know what might come up. But divided loyalties can occur in personal relationships and faith relationships. Two stories of compromised commitments pose the challenge to us about the compromises we make in our lives. What do we worship exactly? Explore this in the sermon video by clicking here.

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HOLY HYPOCRISY! - from Sunday, November 5, 2017

Hypocrisy is in great supply, and is most plentiful among the religious. When high principles meet the grit of reality, something happens. Both Micah and Jesus chastise the religious establishment of their day and hypocrisy gets revealed, but not as you might think, with lessons for today. Click here to read more and access the sermon video.

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THE UNFINISHED LEGACY - from Sunday, October 29, 2017

Feeling old? I am. Even my bank told me I'm "elderly." Sheesh. Age and other limitations may cause us to think that we don't have much to contribute any longer. There are helpful life lessons about that as we consider the ministries of Moses and Paul. Check out the rest of this post - neat quotations - and the sermon video by clicking here.

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COUNTING ON WHOM? - from Sunday, October 22, 2017

The one that you're counting on can surprise you. I relate the children's story of "Big Wolf and Little Wolf." Moses counts on God, and vice versa. Then Jesus shows how covenant works by using a coin trick. It's all about how important the other is, and how relationships make us better. Watch this sermon by clicking here.

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CONFLICT RESOLUTION - from Sunday, October 15, 2017

Avoid conflict. In today's polarized world, that almost means don't talk to anybody about anything of importance.  But avoidance doesn't address an issue. How do you deal with conflict ... or not? Get the whole story by getting the rest of this post and accessing the sermon video by clicking here.

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SOUR GRAPES HARVEST - from Sunday, October 8, 2017

God creates an awesome vineyard, giving it everything needed, even the right amount of rain. Yet at harvest time, all that comes out are sour grapes. How could this be? What went wrong? What does it mean for us? Click here to check out the sermon video and downloads.

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RELIGIOSITY OR RIGHTEOUSNESS - from Sunday, October 1, 2017

Who is the "good Christian? Is it the one who goes to church regularly, but does next to nothing that Jesus wants? Or is the one who never goes to church, but does all kinds of things that Jesus wants? What is God 's priority anyway? Sort this out by clicking here to keep reading and see the sermon video and downloads.

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GRACE: NOT WHAT'S DESERVED - from Sunday, September 24, 2017

You get what you deserve. Okay, not really. We've learned that. But at least God should be fair, right? Our expectations are dashed again with Jonah and Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard. Get the whole story by clicking here to keep reading this post, see the sermon video and access the downloads.

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GETTING PRICE CONSCIOUS - from Sunday, September 3, 2017

Do you go to the dollar store or the diamond store for your faith? In other words, when there is a cost to being faithful, what is in your shopping cart? Moses finds out from God as does Peter from Jesus. You can find out more by clicking here and checking out the rest of this post and the sermon video.

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BY WHAT AUTHORITY? - from Sunday, August 27, 2017

Whose voice and view matters? The one with authority, of course. But do we recognize authority in sacred and spiritual affairs, and how? A couple of Hebrew midwives and Peter show us how it's done. Get the full story in the sermon video - click here.

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YES, EVEN THEM - from Sunday, August 20, 2017

Is God serious about this? Embracing eunuchs and foreigners? And did Jesus get his comeuppance and have a stranger teach HIM something? Last Sunday's scriptures are stunning, radical calls to inclusiveness. Get the full, fascinating scoop in the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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FLIPPING FEAR TO FAITH - from Sunday, August 13, 2017

Fear is real, and it can be paralyzing, even for the faithful. As gets revealed in Elijah hiding in the cave and Peter walking on the stormy waves, fear can overwhelm us and take us away from the promise of God. How to overcome fear and regain purpose in faithfulness? Click here for the sermon video and downloads and find out what this is all about.

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HAS GOD GOT A NAME FOR YOU? - from Sunday, August 6, 2017

God is eager to bless the faithful, but are the faithful striving to gain it? Jacob earns the blessing in his night-long wrestling match, outlasting his opponent and getting a new name. But the disciples drop the ball when Jesus tests their mettle. God has a name for you. What is it? Click here to view the sermon video and learn more.

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WHAT'S IT WORTH TO YOU? - from Sunday, July 30, 2017

We ask the title question of ourselves all the time. Yet on faith matters, we think it's all free - no bother, no burden, no expectation. (Thanks Jesus!) But the faith relationship, like any relationship, does have expectations. Now, what's it worth to you? How much? Check out the sermon video by clicking here.

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FAITHFUL AMID WEEDS - from Sunday, July 23, 2017

Can you tell the wheat from the weeds in this picture? Look, pretty flowers! Standing strong in faithfulness to God amid the weeds is not so clear cut. To gain some insight (and perhaps some clarity), click here to continue with this post, view the sermon video and access the downloads.

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SEEDING KINGDOM AMID EMPIRE - from Sunday, July 16, 2017

You don't have to be a smart farmer to know to sow seeds in good soil. Why is God such a lousy farmer? If God's word doesn't return empty, as Isaiah says, what's going on with Jesus' parable of the sower? Find out in the sermon video by clicking here to learn more and get the downloads.

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WEIGHING YOKES AND BURDENS - from Sunday, July 9, 2017

Yokes return for a second look this week. Last week, it was the yoke of punishment in Jeremiah. This week Jeremiah has a yoke of covenant while Jesus claims an easy yoke with a light burden. Really, Jesus? Let's look at the sermon video and see how that works - click here.

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SUSPECT POPULARITY - from Sunday, July 2, 2017

What's popular isn't always what's needed or helpful. A competition between two prophets, and oddly phrased comments from Jesus in the First Commission Discourse, point out how problematic and unpopular God's word can be. Click here for the sermon video, downloads and new insights.

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IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?  - from Sunday, June 18, 2017

Wild promise or weak faith? Ask Sarah about becoming pregnant at an elderly age. Ask disciples told to do like Jesus did, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the unclean, and drive out evil. 'Who me?' you guffaw loudly. Yes, you. ​ Find out what else Jesus may be expecting of you: click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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DISTRACTIONS FROM DISCIPLESHIP - from Sunday, June 11, 2017

Distractions take our eyes away from a focus on what's important. In matters of faith, whole theologies can consume the faithful with distractions. On Trinity Sunday, a doctrine that is in itself a struggle, we can review some great distractions. Get the whole picture and click here to check out the sermon video and downloads.

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NEW IDENTITY IN THE SPIRIT - from Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017

The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost marks a new identity for the followers of Jesus. They are to become new people in the Spirit of the Lord. What does that mean? Seeing that God and the Spirit know who we are, do we know how we would be seen in the Spirit? Click here to check out the fruits of the Spirit discussed in the sermon video.

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SHARING WORLDS APART - from Sunday, May 28, 2017

We can experience different worlds quite often. Ever heard of dabbing? Ask a kid - in their world, it's commonplace. We're in different worlds. The disciples must negotiate carefully between the sacred and the common. How do you negotiate between the sacred values of the Kingdom and the more profane values of the world? Click here for the sermon video.

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FINDING GOD CLOSE - from Sunday, May 21, 2017

I am not God or Jesus or the Spirit, yet each is close to us, we're told. What does it mean when scriptures say God is close by, or when Jesus promises the Counselor and tells disciples that he is in them? And what trap awaits if we fail to understand what this means? Learn more by clicking here to see the sermon video and downloads.

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CHANGED DIRECTION - from Sunday, April 30, 2017
 
Are you headed in the right direction? Once we realize that everything has been changed by the resurrection, we share the original disciples' dilemma. What now? Then we realize that God has been changing peoples' direction quite regularly. Find out where this is headed - click here for sermon video and downloads.

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QUEST OF QUESTIONING - from Sunday, April 23, 2017

Asking questions helps build understanding. Joining "doubting Thomas" and his questioning, we learn anew that seeing is believing. And what does that mean for us in the church as contemporary witnesses to the resurrection? Pursue this with the sermon video and downloads - click here.

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WHOM DO YOU SEEK? - from Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017

The stone is rolled away to reveal the empty tomb of Easter morning. Jesus is not there. Yes, death cannot hold him, but where did he go? The angel asks Mary and us: Whom do you seek? Explore this further, and learn where Jesus may be found by clicking here for the sermon video and downloads.

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FAITH'S FULFILLMENT - from Sunday, April 9, 2017

Little faith is needed to attend church, or to put a check in the collection plate. Genuine faith pulls us away from comfort and security, and thrusts us into uncertainty and vulnerability where God becomes all that's worth our trust. Find out how this plays out with Isaiah's suffering servant, and Jesus' entry into Jerusalem - click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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PROPHESY LIFE - from Sunday, April 2, 2017

Images of death haunt the scriptures - Ezekiel's valley of dry bones vision and the Lazarus story in John's gospel. There is no disputing God's agenda for life for God's people whether the death is physical or not. What brings life out of death here? Read on and see the sermon video and get the downloads - click here.

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BLIND TO WHAT GOD IS DOING - from Sunday, March 26, 2017

Having a vision for the future can be easy since we (think we) understand current realities and realistic probabilities. Recognizing God's vision is another matter entirely. Typically we're blind to what God is doing, and the scriptures make that clear in two familiar stories. Click here to test your vision with the sermon video and downloads.

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THIRST FOR NEW LIFE - from Sunday, March 19, 2017

While thirst may be for water, there are other kinds of thirst. A lack of connection, meaning, and purpose reflect a thirst. In God's people, being part of the covenant of new life, to taste "living water" drives the stories from Exodus and John's gospel. Click here to see what kind of thirst may be driving your search with the sermon video and downloads.

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A VISION FOR STARTING OVER - from Sunday, March  12, 2017

Starting over is no fun. There is the admission that you aren't where you need to be. Then there's the realization that you need to change your location, change your focus, and change a whole lot more. Up for that? Click here to delve into this topic and these scriptures as you check out the sermon video and downloads.

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THE GOD TEMPTATION - from Sunday, March 5, 2017

Temptation can get trivialized. However, it is anything but trivial when we consider the nature of events in the Garden of Eden and in Jesus' wilderness temptation. Do you think this is a temptation for you? I'm betting it is. Click here to find out if this applies to you: the rest of this post, sermon video and downloads.

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MESSAGE ON THE MOUNTAINTOP - from Sunday, February 26, 2017

The mountaintop can change everything. Then again, maybe not. It depends if the message gets heard and remembered. Largely, it's an individual experience, and it can be pivotal. But whatever existed before you went up the mountain will be waiting for you when make the descent. Click here for the whole story with sermon video and more.

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WHAT MORE ARE YOU DOING THAN OTHERS? - from Sunday, February 19, 2017

Compare yourself to others? Jesus is. Jesus wants to know what makes you so special that you stand out as the obvious faith person. Are you different from John Q. Atheist? Jesus expects so. God does, too. Click here to check out this post, the sermon video, and downloads.

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RADICAL CHOICES - from Sunday, February 12, 2017

We've seen how God and Jesus flip the script on the faithful who seem so self-assured of their solid standing before God. That self-assurance gets pushed and pushed. God throws down an ultimatum. Jesus is teaching crazy talk. 'Wake up and realize what this faith life means!' they demand. Find out more and click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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BE SALTY SALT AND BRIGHT LIGHT - from Sunday, February 5, 2017

Again, God doesn't like the worship and devotional practices of God's people, just like Micah last week. Is there a different answer coming from Isaiah about 200 years after Micah? Then Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount about salt and saltiness, and light hid under a bushel. Is Jesus speaking to us? Click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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WHAT GOOD DOES THE LORD EXPECT? - from Sunday, January 29, 2017

Micah 6:8 is familiar: "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." But do you know the context? This was the sacred answer from the prophet to a challenge made by God's people. It isn't some disconnected piece of wisdom; it speaks to us today. The context is ... find out by clicking here for the sermon video and downloads.

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UNITED IN GOOD NEWS FOOLISHNESS - from Sunday, January 22, 2017

There are lots of divisions in our society and in the church. There are just as many ways we try to paper them over and make them either go away altogether or not seem so bad, a faux unity. Getting united to what God is doing in the world can be hard. Foolishness? Wisdom? Sort this one out! Get help and click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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HIDDEN IN THE QUIVER - from Sunday, January 15, 2017

Hidden from view, yet in plain sight? You search high and low and can't find what's right in front of you. Somehow our perceptions and awareness get distracted. God admits to hiding his servant, in the shadow of his hand, in his quiver. How do we get our sight on track? Keep learning by clicking here for the sermon video and downloads.

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BECOMING THE GOOD NEWS VOICE - from Sunday, January 8, 2017

We hear all kinds of voices on any given day, some familiar, others not so much. The Chosen One of God is called to have a specific voice, a good news voice. What does that mean? Is this a voice we can hear today? Is it one that we can vocalize ourselves? Learn more and view the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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CALL TO THE UNEXPECTED SERVANT - from Sunday, January 1, 2017

Waiting through Advent for the Promised One of God, we may be discover a servant now who is quite unexpected, and also quite unwelcome. Isaiah's "Suffering Servant" and Matthew's dark story of political intrigue and death squads show that the Chosen One of God is not without controversy. Click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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THE EMMANUEL CHILD - from Sunday, December 18, 2016

The image of a special child being born to lead God's people into God's promise has a long history. Think of all the biblical women who had surprise children! The Chosen One would be known as Emmanuel - literally in Hebrew "God with us." Good news? It should be, but you decide. Click here to learn more with the sermon video and downloads.

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LIBERATING LOVE - from Sunday, December 11, 2016

The good news of new life in Jesus should be recognized as a message more to those in the struggling class than most of us in the comfortable class. For them, the message is how God's love brings liberation from bondage, and hope amid despair that anything could ever change. It's a powerful message for all. Click here to check out the sermon video and downloads.

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PRESUMPTION AND PREPARATION - from Sunday, December 4, 2016

We take a lot for granted, and we make our preparations guided by those presumptions. What happens when we're wrong? Do we double down, or change and plan accordingly? Our Advent scriptures confront us with the new things God is doing, and it's going to upset some folks. Click here for more plus the sermon video and downloads.

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IN POSITION FOR THE COMING - from Sunday, November 27, 2016

Getting positioned for success is considered a key factor. Consider how football teams carefully align themselves for each play. Scriptures regularly challenge how the faithful are positioned. As we enter the Advent season - the beginning of a new year for the church - we're challenged to be positioned for the coming promise. Click here to learn more.

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HOLY EXTREME MAKEOVER - from Sunday, November 13, 2016

With the election over, we can now expect the Great American Makeover will begin. While the political vision for the nation remains a mystery, we know that God has a vision for his creation, and Jesus has a vision for his disciples. There are holy extreme makeovers ahead! Click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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GOD'S PROMISE AWAITS - from Sunday, November 6, 2016

While this has certainly been a dismal election season, there is no reason to think that governance or democracy is ready to resume after the election. The dysfunction of the past is likely to ramp up to new heights, regardless. Hopeless? Scriptures say God's promise awaits just beyond our field of vision. Click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH - from Sunday, October 30, 2016

Getting to the right place is a journey that involves endurance, determination, and even sacrifice. Faith leads the way, helping us to go from strength to strength, discovering that surprising blessings unfold.  Pursue this journey as blessings are revealed along the way by clicking here for the sermon video and downloads.

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REND HEARTS, NOT GARMENTS - from Sunday, October 23, 2016

We know (pretty much) how to deal with dumb stuff we do that hurts relations with other people. But how do we make amends for our sinfulness to God? Religious answers quickly pop up, but ritual get stale, rote, and empty. What now? Find out by clicking here and checking out the sermon video and downloads.

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RELENTLESS FAITH - from Sunday, October 16, 2016

Much of what faith truly requires seems like an endless struggle. Do things ever change? Is there even any progress? We may enjoy celebrating heroes of scripture, but more often we're witnessing the long struggle of relentless faith in action. That's a key quality. Learn more by clicking here to see the sermon video and get the downloads.

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REMEMBERING GRATITUDE - from Sunday, October 9, 2016

Hardship and gratitude seem like unlikely partners. How do we deal with serious difficulties, and is there room for gratitude in the mix? What might adding gratitude bring along the way? Find out how this works out by clicking here to see the sermon video and obtain the downloads.

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INCREASE OUR FAITH! - from Sunday, October 2, 2016

It's impossible! It's too much! Help, Lord! There are such high expectations from the faithful, yet we-faithful don't seem to be getting any special powers to meet those expectations. What's up with you, God? To get some answers, check out the rest of the post, the sermon video, and the downloads - click here.

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OFF THE CHARTS: KINGDOM INVESTING - from Sunday, September 25, 2016

Blessings come to us in many ways, but dealing with our finances sometimes enters its own "sacred" realm. The world's idea of investing is very different from Kingdom investing, and the faithful are challenged by this week's scriptures. Learn more about this wacky Kingdom investing in the sermon video and downloads - click here.

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FLIM FLAM BLESSINGS - from Sunday, September 18, 2016

I think we all find tricksters, schemers, scammers, and frauds loathsome and contemptible. How is it that these con artists get the blessing in scripture? A fun look at flim flammers and the maddening tales of their divine blessings awaits. Find out what these con artists are all about in the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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FLAWED, FAILED, AND PRECIOUS - from Sunday, September 11, 2016

The Bible is minces no words in its criticism of God's people; they're lousy covenant partners. Of course, we fit right in as contemporary flawed and failed believers. How does God regard us? The golden calf episode and a couple of Jesus' parables tell us a great deal more. Discover some new insights in the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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 THE POTTER IS WORKING - from Sunday, September 4, 2016

Lives are always changing. Do we recognize the Potter at the wheel? Are we finding it possible to remain faithful, to grow in spiritual maturity? Can we change our attitudes and directions as events and circumstances change us? To pursue this further, check out the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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KEEPING FAITH WITH GOD THE STRANGER - from Sunday, August 28, 2016

We treat strangers with some doubt and suspicion. Yet the greatest strangers of all are God and his Son Jesus. Faith means trusting in the unknowable. Estrangement - a broken relationship - has consequences for all. Find out what this means by clicking here to continue this post, check out the sermon video and  downloads.

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SABBATH FOR HEALING - from Sunday, August 21, 2016

Busy, busy, busy. Busy people are important and valued in our society. But God invites us to Sabbath, to rest, reflect, and get re-oriented to Kingdom ways as we enter sacred space to seek the presence of God in our lives and in our world. Learn more about Sabbath and transformation - click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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DECISION AND DIVISION - from Sunday, August 14, 2016

Relationships showcase the best and worst of people. You may come to decision time and decide to break off a relationship. That's likely to spark conflict as it creates division. The Kingdom relationship can create lots of problems, too. To find out what's happening,  click here to look at the sermon video and get the downloads.

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WHAT'S WORTH WORRY - from Sunday, August 7, 2016

Worry is sometimes seen as opposing faith. Truly, it has its rightful place, but the question is what we worry about. Scriptures point us in a direction that we typically don't regard as a priority concern. To find out what this could be, check out the sermon video and downloads by clicking here.

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WHAT'S WORTHY WEALTH - from Sunday, July 31, 2016

Got wealth? Is it worth anything? For how long? What is worthy wealth? After reading Ecclesiastes and the parable of the rich fool in Luke, what exactly is worthy wealth? Gain some insights by clicking here checking out the rest of this post, the sermon video, and the downloads.

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BETTER BARGAIN BLESSING - from Sunday, July 24, 2016

Everybody likes a good deal. But deal-making with God gets frowned upon. Yet Abraham does it, and Jesus has something to say, too. Might God have a better deal? Find out what this wheeling and dealing is all about - click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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WELCOMING GOD'S PROMISE - from Sunday, July 17, 2016

Hosting guests can produce a frenzy of activity. Can you miss the point if you aren't focused on receiving the blessing they offer? You betcha. What happened with laughing Sarah and busy Martha? Check it all out and click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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SEVEN DAY FAITH - from Sunday, July 10, 2016

Religion can give a sense of comfort and security. However, that comfort and security can become too much of a good thing. In that state, we can end up with a one day faith, neglecting or forgetting the mystery and unique sovereignty of God and Kingdom. Click here to check out the sermon video and access the downloads.

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LETTING GO, MOVING FORWARD - from Sunday, July 3, 2016

God's creation is ever changing, and our lives, too. Letting go of what has been and moving forward into the unknowns ahead is an exercise of faith. Click here to keep reading the post and check out the sermon video and access the downloads.

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WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? - from Sunday, June 19, 2016

The title question is more than a question of location, but an issue of purpose. Are you where you need to be? Are you doing what you need to be doing? If not, why not? ​Click here to keep reading (sorry, no sermon video this week) and access the downloads.

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WITHIN THE LAW? GREED, GRATITUDE, AND GRACE
     - from Sunday, June 12, 2016

What is lawful and legal is not necessarily just and fair. Scripture stories this week tell about greed and gratitude, and emerge into grace. Click here to keep reading, view the sermon video, and access the downloads.

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THE INVITATION - from Sunday, June 5, 2016

Disciples are called in every era as scripture reveals. While Jesus was known as a "party animal," the invitation to follow him is a critical summons to a new life. It involves submission, sacrifice, and service, not the kind of invitation many will pursue. Click here for the rest of the post and to see the sermon video.

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SACRED AUTHORITY SHOWDOWN - from Sunday, May 29, 2016

Everyone loves the showdown scene. But the showdowns in scripture are really a fun sideshow. The real questions are: who is God for you, and whose gospel do you embrace? Explore this challenging notion and click here for the sermon video and downloads.

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THE PARACLETE: ADVOCATE, COUNSELOR, WORKER
​     - from Sunday, May 22. 2016

The person of the Holy Spirit in the doctrine of the Trinity is a difficult one to grasp. Take a good look at the Holy Spirit in scripture and you'll find out some surprising stuff. And yes, this will mess with your assumptions once again! Go for it - click here for the sermon video and downloads!

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THE SINGULARITY VS. THE SPIRIT - from Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2016

The empowerment of humanity happens differently between human-originated empowerment - power for its own sake - and spiritual empowerment like what we see at Pentecost. The difference is striking, setting "the singularity" opposite the Spirit of God. See if you can figure this out - click here to get the sermon video and downloads.

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RESURRECTION WITNESS: LIBERATION FROM CAPTIVITY 
     - from Sunday, May 8, 2016

Being a volunteer inside prison provides insight into an explicit form of captivity. Less clear are the ways we're held captive in our daily lives, in our common attitudes, and in our routine expectations. Resurrection witness reveals liberation in so many ways. Travel this twisting, revealing path by clicking here for the sermon video and downloads.

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RESURRECTION WITNESS: MOVING WITH THE SPIRIT
       - from Sunday, May 1, 2016

Much of what we do is instinctive and routine. The idea of being led by the Spirit sounds nice, but it meets a significant challenge in getting us out of our rut. Scripture from Acts 16 and John 5 give us plenty to consider. To get the whole story, click here to get the sermon video and downloads.

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RESURRECTION WITNESS: LOVING FAMILY
        - from Sunday, April 24, 2016

We're great at labels, division, and exclusion, but lousy at things Jesus taught like reconciliation, peacemaking, and inclusion. The earliest church struggled, too, but Jesus reminds all disciples of the priority. To learn more, click here to get the sermon video and downloads.

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RESURRECTION WITNESS: FOLLOWING ONE VOICE
       - from Sunday, April 17, 2016

When you think about it, there are hundreds of voices trying to get our attention every day. There are few that we actually pay attention to. Jesus says that his sheep know his voice and listen. ​Click here to read more and check out the sermon video and downloads.

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RESURRECTION WITNESS: RISKY FAITH - from Sunday, April 10, 2016

​Risk and Christian faith seem to have been divorced since the church's earliest days. How risky is your Christian faith? Yet scripture won't let us forget that faith and risk go hand-in-hand. Click here to read more, and see the sermon video.

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RESURRECTION WITNESS: SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT
​      - from Sunday, April 3, 2016

The church and believers have been struggling to figure out the resurrection since it was discovered, as the stories about Mary and Peter attest. As we share that struggle in a new era, we can recognize several things about the resurrection worth noting in coming weeks. Click here to read more, and see the sermon video.

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   IDLE TALE? MIRACLE? MORE?
           - from Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016

The report to the disciples from the women at the tomb was met with derision - "nonsense" [NIV], "an idle tale" [NRSV]. We may accept it as an article of faith, but our understanding of Easter's meaning shows that there's plenty with which we still struggle. Click here to read more, and see the sermon video.

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CELEBRATION OF DISRUPTION - from Sunday, March 20, 2016

Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus disrupting and confronting the Empire and the Jewish religious leaders. Everything is contrasted: Empire and establishment vs. Kingdom and good news. It's conduct and behavior that's sure to bring an arrest, and Jesus knows it. Click here for the rest as well as the sermon video.

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REFLECTING GRATITUDE - from Sunday, March 13, 2016

Gratitude should be easy, right? But what if we received something that we didn't really want or ask for? In the scriptures, God's people ignore blessings. They focus on what they want versus what God provided. Click here for more, like the sermon video.

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REFLECTING GRACE - from Sunday, March 6, 2016

Grace is one of those things that is utterly confounding. While it seems to make no rational sense at all, it is completely necessary, a reflection of the divine that's most challenging. No sermon video this week, but click here to see more and get the downloads.

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POPPING DELUSION'S BUBBLE - from Sunday, February 28, 2016

Our lives occur within a box or bubble that we've created for ourselves. It's nice and safe and predictable. It's also a trap. Lent calls us to step out from it in order to explore and discover the promise of God. Click here to see the sermon video and learn more.

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AWAITING GOD'S PROMISE - from Sunday, February 21, 2016

The idea of waiting upon the Lord can be vexing if the wait goes on too long. We want it NOW! Patience is not only a virtue; it's a gracious blessing of God. There are lessons for us as we seek to grow better in discerning God's promise, recognizing that our desires are not the same as God's promise. Learn more - Click here for more including the sermon video.

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WILDERNESS OF TEMPTATION - from Sunday, February 14, 2016

Temptation is nothing new; the first couple "discovered" it in Paradise. Through all this time, we have struggled with temptation. With the Lenten season having begun, we confront this tough subject for every believer. Go in-depth on this subject by checking out the sermon video and downloads: click here.

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LUMINOUS SPIRITUALITY - from Sunday, February 7, 2016

Have you ever had a "mountaintop experience," even without the actual mountain? That spiritual connection can transform the individual and their encounter with life around them thereafter. Learn more from the sermon video and downloads: click here.

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GOD'S PROBLEMATIC WORD - from Sunday, January 31, 2016

God's Word is the source of assurance, consolation, reconciliation, hope, and peace. Yet, it is more typically problematic, running against the common grain. And that may be what it's supposed to do. Learn more from the sermon video and downloads: click here.

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FROM WORDS TO GOD'S WORD - from Sunday, January 24, 2016

To a person without faith, the Bible is simply a book, like any other, only a rather strange one. In our tradition, God's Word is not simply the words of the Bible. There is more to it. Find out what happens by checking out the sermon video and downloads: click here.

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A DATE WITH A NAME - from Sunday, January 17, 2016

​Everyone has a name, but you're known in other terms. Is there another name for you waiting to be unveiled? In scripture, God has names for his people, different from what the world uses. Does God have a name for you? Check out the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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PASSING THROUGH - from Sunday, January 10, 2016

Just passing through? As in a rather meaningless piece of a journey to a destination? Passing through means much more in scripture, and we look at two instances. Check out the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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GIFTS AND THREATS - from January 3, 2016

While we celebrate the gifts and blessings of God, like the Magi who seek the Promised One of God, there is the other response to the acts of God from those like Herod. Gifts for some are threats to others. When God acts, things change, and some will resist violently. To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY - from December 27, 2015

Child-likeness is given as a description of the proper attitude of the faithful. We can see how that is so in Sunday's scriptures, and realize that it provides an encouraging lesson to take into the new year.  To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD OF PEACE - from December 20, 2015

Intuition says 'meet violence with (greater) violence.' But what about faith in God and hearkening to Kingdom values? They're typically counter-intuitive, and strike us as wrong. Can we get an answer to that question about the Prince of Peace coming amid a world of violence, destruction, and death? To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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BEARING FRUIT THAT'S WORTHY - from Sunday, December 13, 2015

The third candle of the Advent wreath represents joy, yet there seems little that's joyful in John the Baptist's message. How we understand joy and relate it beyond self-interest or self-serving to a just society that is compassionate and generous is key to bearing fruit worthy of repentance. To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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PREPARE PEACE - from Sunday, December 6, 2015

The second candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes peace as Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Hey, that's something we could certainly use these days. So, why isn't religion part of the discussion about the violence we see? ​ What about the messenger who is to guide us into the paths of peace? To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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THE DAYS ARE COMING - from Sunday, November 29, 2015

The notion that 'the days are coming' comes amid dark times. 'The days are coming' expresses the promise of God's future, but on God's calendar. If we can get past the arcane, even silly pretensions of popular signs of the apocalypse, we can find a ready message as we enter the Advent-Christmas season. To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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STRANGERS TO THE KINGDOM - from Sunday, November 22, 2015

Reactions to accepting 10,000 Syrian refugees have been stunning in their ugliness. Christians should know that care of the stranger or alien is a priority for God in the Old Testament, and echoed by Jesus. On Christ the King Sunday, we consider the starkly different values of the Kingdom. To get the sermon text download (no video), click here.​

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INSINCERELY YOURS - from Sunday, November 15, 2015

We have all experienced insincerity, and it stinks. Okay, maybe we’ve practiced it once or twice. It still stinks. Despite our personal experience, the insincerity of the people of God toward their God and toward what God values can really raise divine ire. Yet it isn’t simply the act itself that’s so condemned. To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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DOING WHAT FAMILY DOES - from Sunday, November 8, 2015

Family can be a very mixed bag; good for some, not so good for others. Ideally, family represents a special place of acceptance, belonging, support, love, and grace. The boundaries of "family" get stretched . We're called to transform the bounds of family into the bonds of family.  To get the sermon video and downloads, click here.

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CELEBRATING SAINTS - from Sunday, November 1, 2015

Celebrating saints for us is different from other Christians who have special status for "saints." But it does give us more to celebrate - the saints are US! Being God's chosen doesn't mean you're too special. God's elect can get in trouble. But we also hear how God's promise abides. "God will wipe away every tear." To read on and get the downloads, click here.

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JUDGE FOR YOURSELF - from Sunday, October 18, 2015

If you're qualified, your skills and knowledge have likely been tested. The scriptures point out how we believe in our skills and knowledge related to God and Jesus, yet they can fail any testing quite easily. Concluding Job's story and checking out Paul's predicament with Corinth can point us to the priority focus.  To read on and get the sermon video and  downloads, click here.

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SHOEBOXES READY TO GO - Thursday, October 15, 2015

Members of the congregation have been busy collecting a host of items for the Shoebox mission since early summer, and they're finally done - all 105 shoeboxes! Read all about this program and this fantastic and faithful effort by our congregation - click here.

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SEPARATION ANXIETY - from October, 11, 2015

Separation anxiety is common in children, dogs, and even parents. It arises from a sense of abandonment which provokes fear and anxieties. Consider what happened with Job and how he dealt with his situation, and the marked contrast that emerges in looking at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. To read on and get the downloads, click here.

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JOURNEY TO DISCOVERY - from Sunday, October 4, 2015

Jigsaw puzzles can be maddening entertainment. The picture emerges as different pieces come together. Our understanding of life's experiences often means remaining clueless for long periods until the pieces (hopefully) come together and the picture emerges with clarity. To read on, see the sermon video, and get the downloads, click here.

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MISSING THE MISSION? - from Sunday, September 27, 2015

In sports, the best team focuses on what they produce together, not obsessing with individual performance. In matters of faith, we can miss the mission, obsessing over matters of little import to the real mission, God's will and Kingdom. To read on, see the sermon video, and get the downloads, click here.

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SERVANT: GREATNESS IN HUMILITY - from Sunday, September 20, 2015

With humility not a value built into most peoples' lives, its true nature can remain unexplored. Looking at the expectations of the servant, with the "capable wife" of Proverbs 31, and in Jesus' teaching to the disciples, we can see the depth of this orientation that can be empowering. To read on, see the sermon video, and get the downloads, click here.

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WISDOM ALERT - from Sunday, September 13, 2015

With age, we're confident in our vast amount of wisdom. Yet that storehouse of wisdom can be our undoing. Would you recognize the challenge of sacred wisdom, or double-down on your own, like Wile Coyote consulting his Acme Catalog? To read on, see the sermon video, and get the downloads, click here.

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FAITH IN SYNC - from Sunday, September 6, 2015

Getting head, heart, and hands in faithful synchronization is no small task. Both scriptures ask how to live faithfully, keeping things in sync. Although their concerns are different, responses are quite close. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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TRUE INTEGRITY, TRUE WITNESS - from Sunday, August 30, 2015

When beliefs and actions conflict, do we change, double down, or ignore it? God provided his people with the Torah, but Jesus found the Torah-Law had been exploited by the powerful. True integrity for a true witness takes effort. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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TRUE SECURITY, TRUE FAITH - from Sunday, August 23, 2015

Security concerns are a big business, from computer to car to home. How about for the faithful citizens of the Kingdom? You betcha! But we're people of faith. How far will you take that? To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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TRUE WISDOM, TRUE HUMILITY - from Sunday, August 16, 2015

Wisdom is a precious item in any age, but its absence in today's complex times may leave us with a longing for a healthy dose. What did Solomon know about wisdom? How about Paul? Maybe they can guide us, instructing amid good and bad ways of wisdom. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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TRUE STRENGTH, TRUE LIFE - from Sunday, August 9, 2015

The strong are seen as physically muscular types. But we miss the nature of true strength. Samson and the lame man at the pool at Bethesda teach that it's about living a faithful life, not  your next workout at the gym. (Yes, you still need to go to the gym. Sorry.) To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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TRUE WORSHIP, TRUE MISSION - from Sunday, August 2, 2015

Worship services are a form of identity for churches. They're the first thing most new congregations organize. Worship attendance is a barometer for a church's health. But is this what God is seeking from us? Is this our best witness to the Kingdom of new life? To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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SECOND GUESS TO FAITHFULNESS - from Sunday, July 26, 2015

Second guessing is, well, second nature to us. Sometimes it's warranted, but they say your first choice is the right choice. In Sunday's scriptures, we find lots of second guessing , and we discover some key reasons. We also get answers to help in the future. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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YOU'RE BUILDING WHAT? - from Sunday, July 19, 2015

Some things are easy to build, and there are plenty examples of just plain strange buildings, like the ossuary church mentioned in the beginning of the sermon. But there are also things that defy construction. We explore what we're building in Christian ministry. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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DANCE LESSONS - from Sunday, July 12, 2015

Dance from any era can be a beautiful expression, but the modern dance era ushered by Martha Graham has injected high energy and actively stretches to embrace the passions of human life. Dance features prominently in both scriptures, and there are lessons for us. To read on, get the sermon text (no video, sorry), click here.

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY - from Sunday, July 5, 2015

Bruce had this Sunday off. Dale Stewart was the guest preacher and the sermon video is below. It includes, at the end, a brief solo sung by Ryan Chance. (Typically the video recorder does a lousy job with audio, but this time, it worked nicely.) Check it out and click here.

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TREASURED OUTCASTS - from Sunday, June 28, 2015

Many in scripture find themselves outcast from their community, their family, their standing, etc. Consistently, we find God is ready to intervene on their behalf. Understanding the outcast and ministering to them is typically a challenge for the average person who is accepted, secure, and unaffected. As God ministered to such outcast folks, so did Jesus, bringing them the promise of new life. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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THE ODDS ARE AGAINST IT - from Sunday, June 21, 2015

Besides official oddsmakers like insurers, we're always sizing up matters, weighing the odds of things that come across our daily lives. If we don't like the odds, we're may walk away and forget it. Sometimes that is no option. The scriptures give familiar stories of facing a menacing giant and getting caught in a ferocious storm. The odds weren't good in either case, but the players found an equalizer. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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GOD'S KINGDOM INSURGENCY - from Sunday, June 14, 2015

The big actors on the stage of history are often pretty small types. Bible students know that God often goes in a direction that others don't see coming, and couldn't even imagine. God can do great things with small players, advancing the kingdom values of love, new life, peace, justice, and compassion into the sinful world that has no time, no interest, and no serious commitment to such values. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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AMID THE HOUSE DIVIDED - from Sunday, June 7, 2015

When something carries over from one setting or application to another, it makes life quite easy. Of course, that doesn't happen always. In fact. we can find ourselves divided from our best purposes by such inaccurate assumptions. On faith matters, this can reveal how we live in a "house divided" and our challenge is to be clear about the sacred and spiritual. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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THE WAKE UP CALL - from Sunday, May 31, 2015

"You're in sleepy land," said Joseph Campbell, the late author and star of the acclaimed late 1980s PBS series, "The Power of Myth." Campbell was describing how a guide would confront the would-be hero of a master story. The guide's task is to wake up the character to their life's mission, tapping their potential - their God-given gifts - that can fulfill their personal promise and the sender's mission. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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OF SIN, JUSTICE, AND JUDGMENT - from Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015

On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Twelve - the birthday of the church so to speak. The Holy Spirit should be seen as the key ingredient in the transformational work of ministry carried forward by Jesus' faithful disciples. It is a stunning confrontation with what the world offers, transforming the worldly with the power of the sacred.  To read on, get the sermon text (sorry, no video this week) and Fairfielder download, click here.

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UNITY IN A BROKEN WORLD - from Sunday, May 17, 2015

Salvation is commonly seen as a individual matter. Our Baptist friends may anxiously ask if you've been saved, for example. Even Presbyterians with their Calvinist-Reformed doctrine of election frame the question on a personal basis. However, if we scratch the surface, we discover that the individualistic dimension is far less important, and may even be somewhat irrelevant, when seen through the Lord's eyes. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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LOVE AND JOY AMONG FRIENDS - from Sunday, May 10, 2015

Knowing the critical importance of relationships in the social fabric can help us appreciate the special relationship Jesus describes in John 15 when he calls the disciples "friends," not servants or slaves to their Lord. What kind of friendship is this? It isn't the casual friendship with which most of us are familiar. It definitely isn't the superficial Facebook "friend." This is a different order of friendship, a whole other level of relationship to Jesus and to others. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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IS THERE ROOM ON THE VINE? - from Sunday, May 3, 2015

You may be familiar with the imagery of the vine and the branches in Jesus' monologue in John 15. But who is rightly attached to the vine? Jesus doesn't say. The expectation is made very clear that the branches are to bear fruit. In reading the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, things get really interesting. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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SHEEP AMONG WOLVES - from Sunday, April 26, 2015

What about those wolves? We need to be mindful that the wolves are there, among us, not unlike the old cartoon of Ralph the wolf and Sam the sheepdog pictured left. It's just another day on the job both for the wolf and for the one who stands with the sheep. We find the direct opposite of the wolfish role in the theme of loving one another, the priority for followers of Jesus, imitating the love - the sacrificial love, agape love - of Jesus for his sisters and brothers. That's a tough one. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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YOU ARE WITNESSES - from Sunday, April, 19, 2015

We rely on the testimonies of others. If you shop online, you know how invaluable the reviews and comments of consumers are in evaluating products. This testimony by first hand users can greatly influence our decision-making. For people of faith, it is the testimony of the faithful, their living witness in spiritual practice, that keeps the tradition vigorous, relevant, and effective. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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FELLOWSHIP OF THE LIGHT - from Sunday, April 12, 2015

Fellowship is perhaps the most under-appreciated, taken-for-granted aspect of church life. It's more than a Pot Luck. No, really; it is. In fact, it is at the center of faith life in bringing forth the challenges and advances for the faithful in embracing the scope of the good news of Jesus Christ. Max Lucado has a great way of describing this powerful aspect of congregational life. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus on the cross - April 9, 2015

We are sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. This is the fifth one which was composed by Mary Reynolds. Click here.

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GETTING THE GOOD NEWS - from Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015

Most folks would say that it's important for them to get the news. Yet most would bemoan the typical media offering of the news. It tends to be mostly bad news. Folks seeking the news end up with sensationalism, gossip, and a lot of useless stuff that gains them very little new knowledge, understanding or awareness, like the item being reported in the picture. Do we get the good news, particularly on Easter? To read on and get the sermon text (sorry, no video this week), click here.

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GIVING EMBRACES THE PROMISE - from Sunday, March 29, 2015

Following up the previous week of giving (remember the potlatch?), we encounter individuals who give themselves and their prized possessions in faithful service to God and Kingdom. Their giving makes profound statements, and reveals for us the contrast between worldly values of "getting" and sacred values of "giving." Jesus' stunning entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday sets the stage for the confrontation of worldly values opposite sacred values that gets played out through Holy Week. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus praying - March 28, 2015

We are sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. This is the fourth one which was composed by Lou Petty. Click here.

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SURRENDERING FOR THE PROMISE - from Sunday, March 22, 2015

The potlatch tradition among northwest American Indians focused on surrendering and sacrificing possessions of greatest value - pictured. It served to keep the richest from dominating, to reinforce community standing, and emphasize the importance of the web of social relationships in one's well-being and success. What would you be loathe to surrender or sacrifice? Could something stand in the way of your embrace of God's promise for you? To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus and the sheep - March 21, 2015

We are sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. This is the third one which was composed by Martha Richardson. Click here.

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RENEWING FAITHFUL BEARINGS - from Sunday, March 15, 2015

Things change over time. Our assumptions start leading us rather than first principles. Why? Those assumptions have become old familiars, unquestioned while growing along on their own path. Lent is a season when we can check our drift from what matters and get re-oriented to where we should be in our faith lives. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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STAINED GLASS WINDOWS - THE PROJECT STORY - March 14, 2015

The suggestion to add stained glass windows to the sanctuary was offered by Elder Fred Gatrell during a June 1997 Session meeting. At that time, the plan was to enhance the sanctuary by replacing the old windows on either side of the altar where the piano and organ were positioned. Click here to read the rest and learn about all of the dedications.

FAITHFUL IS DIFFERENT - from Sunday, March 8, 2015

Did you know that Tracfone distinguishes between Android minutes and basic phone minutes? It provides an odd vehicle for seeing how the faith commitment takes what's commonplace and makes it different. The Ten Commandments and Jesus' clearing of the Temple market emphasize how faithful is different. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus knocking at the door - March 6, 2015

We are sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. This is the second one which was composed by Eula Kidd. Click here. 

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CONTRARY EXPECTATIONS - from Sunday, March 1, 2015

I told about my extreme frustration with my cell phone, and the way every reasonable expectation that I had had was redefined. Confounding our plans, desires, and agendas, contrary expectations and outcomes awaken us to a powerful dynamic of the faithful life. We're reminded of whose we are and whom we serve, awakening to realize that it is God's way to advance the Kingdom. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus and the children - February 25, 2015

As noted in the last blast email, we will be sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. This is the first one which was composed by Ryan Chance. Click here. 

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WATERS OF THE NEW LIFE PROMISE - from Sunday, February 22, 2015

The first Sunday of Lent has our journey begin with the waters of promise and covenant. The journey starts in these primal, baptismal waters and ends at the cross of crucifixion on Good Friday, and its transformation to new life in the resurrection on Easter. The rainbow of Noah and the baptism of Jesus show the Spirit of God leading God's people into the sacred promise. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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WAITING TO THROW DOWN - from Sunday, February 8, 2015

'Throw down' - short for "throw down the gantlet," like the posture taken by this penguin from the animated movie "Madagascar." As noted last week, God is always challenging authority, worldly authority, that is. This week, the throw down continues toward worldly success, worldly empires and conqueror heroes, and even traditional religious institutions, like ours. To read on, see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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AUTHORITY: EVERY GENERATION'S QUEST - from Sunday, February 1, 2015

Authority gets challenged in every generation as we struggle to decide who or what should have authority. The wrestling continues in our faith and in the church. This quest has been happening since the Garden of Eden. It happens continually throughout scripture. But we learn quickly that the one who is challenging authority is God. What God challenges is worldly authority.To read on and see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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SHOWING UP TO SERVE - from Sunday, January 25, 2015

Woody Allen famously said, "80% of life is showing up." There is truth to that, of course. When God expects you to show up, that may be all that's required as God works out whatever God intended. It may mean being led into new discoveries by the work of the Holy Spirit, or it may seem like a total bust that hardly mattered at all. This week's readings show how important simply showing up can be. To read on and see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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AND NOW, A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR - from Sunday, January 18, 2015

Last week, it was disruption; this week seemed to be about interruption. Like TV ads that take me away from my favorite TV show, there are few instances when it doesn't get me steamed. God interrupts faithful servants the same way, pulling them away from their ordinary lives, sometimes in amusing ways, and bringing the word of promise, the word of the Kingdom. To read on and see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BOOK OF ORDER - January 15, 2015

The proposed amendments to the Book of Order include a proposal that would permit same sex marriage. A blog post offers a download of the proposed amendments and some explanation about the process. Further, the Presbytery of St. Augustine is holding "town hall meetings" to allow for explanation and discussion. The two nearby locations for us are listed there. To read more and get the download, click here.

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WATER AND LIGHT ... DISRUPTION - from Sunday, January 11, 2015

Disruption! It's a plague on our tidy, well-ordered lives. We loathe it! I spent a lot of time on Sunday discussing the enterprises of Elon Musk, the disruptive entrepreneur extraordinaire, showing that disruption can be quite positive. And the biggest disruptor of all: God. So, why is the church so aggressively set on being staid, traditional, and stable when God is disruptive? Hmm. To read on and see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here. 

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FIXED ON GOD'S PROMISE - from Sunday, January 4, 2015

We've begun a new year, and we will find many things tugging at us, yearning to gain our attention and esteem. But not all things are worthy. Indeed, many (most?) things are simply distractions. When we're pre-occupied by distractions, we can miss the important stuff. You may have seen someone like the master of distraction pictured at left. In bigger life terms, we can end up focused on futile nonsense rather than being fixed on God's promise. To read on and see the sermon video and get the downloads, click here.

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RECOGNIZING THE MESSIAH - from Sunday, December 28, 2014

The Messiah has come! Let all rejoice! The good news is sung in jubilant celebration! Not long after, does anyone recognize the Messiah? Recognizing not only the Messiah, but also what this means for us, can be neglected with stunning results. Some seem to recognize Jesus in a very distorted way, like the guy in the fun house mirror to the left. No sermon video this week, but you can read further - click here.

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LOVE FOR THE UNLOVELY - from Sunday, December 21, 2014

Do you think this is an appropriate rendering of the Virgin Mary? Kind of tough looking, huh? As we look closely at Mary and the way God calls people into unique roles, we can sweep aside most of our traditional biases about Mary. We should realize that the key message of the season is God's love for the unlovely, even Mary, people who are sinful, unfaithful, unworthy ... folks like us. To see the sermon video, click here.

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AWAITING THE SACRED SURPRISE - from Sunday, December 14, 2014

Not what you expected? That's typical of what God provides his people. God seems to love surprises. Advent is all about the big surprise, the sacred one from God. Are you ready for God's sacred surprise? To see the sermon video, click here.

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PREPARE THE WAY - from Sunday, December 7, 2014

Preparing? We're doing it! The Christmas tree is up and all that. Yet the second Sunday of Advent's readings declare, "Prepare the way of the Lord." So, are we preparing for the right thing? Will our spirits be ready for the good news, or just thankful the hubbub of this season is over? To see the sermon video, click here.

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COME ON DOWN! - from Sunday, November 30, 2014

Advent began on Sunday. It is the season before God acts for God's people, a time of expectation and anticipation. In Isaiah 64, we hear the prophet repeat his prayer request for God to "come [on] down." Like Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right," Isaiah wants God to start playing the game, to get involved, to make things happen. As we watch and stay alert for coming of the Lord, what might we more readily observe than what's suggested? To see the sermon video, click here.

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CHRIST THE SHEPHERD KING, HIS MISSION, AND OURS - from Sunday, November 23, 2014

Christ the King Sunday. It's the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus Christ, the establishment of a righteous reign. But what does that mean? Jesus makes it so simple to understand what is expected, not the hot mess that organized Christianity has made it. Then a surprising thing happens when we look over at Luke to see how Jesus dealt with the same question about the end times. Can we live the coming Kingdom? To see the sermon video, click here.

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FOUR SUPERLATIVES ABOUT CHRIST - from Sunday, November 16, 2014

Rev. Lamar Hunt was guest preacher on Sunday. He shared a powerful message about the long arm and healing power of Jesus to reach anyone at any time or place. He also points out Jesus' instructions to the healed man to not follow him, but go and share the good news with others in witness to his new life. To see the sermon video, click here

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KEEP THE LIGHT ON - from Sunday, November 9, 2014

When do you put the light on? When you need to see better in whatever action you're taking - the key word being action. Keeping the light on means keeping the action or activity going. When the light is off, there's darkness. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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THE SERVANT LIFE - from Sunday, November 2, 2014

The servant is expected to take care of the needs of others, and the servant of God is supposed to take care of God's people. Yet we often encounter servants who are more self-interested than servant-interested, like some well-known celebrity pastors. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE - from Sunday, October 26, 2014

Following that old saw from New England, the old Yankee who was asked for directions replied, "Ya can't get theyah from heyah." So it seems as we get older and life changes. It's as if we run into roadblocks, detours, and get an implicit message not to bother any longer. That may not be right. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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GUIDANCE COUNSELOR - from Sunday, October 19, 2014

In times of decision, we may feel alone, trying to find our way when there are no good clues about how to proceed forward. People of faith have come to rely on the presence of God in one form or another to be their guidance counselor. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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WHO IS HOSTING YOUR PARTY? - from Sunday, October 12, 2014

If you received an invitation to attend a party at the place on the left, you would probably do everything possible to attend. That's the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace, by the way. What makes this one special is the host, the royal family. What makes any party special is the host. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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CURING THE VINEYARD BLUES - from Sunday, October 5, 2014

What can go wrong in the vineyard, like when churches lose focus on what God and Christ and faith are really about? The prophet Isaiah gave us the stunning imagery of the vineyard provisioned with loving care and great expectation that only produced sour grapes. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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CHANGING MINDS - from Sunday, September 28, 2014

It's true; it's tough to teach an old dog new tricks. And we're old dogs. Changing the minds of difficult people is on display in both scriptures. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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GOD'S UNFAIR GRACE - from Sunday, September 21, 2014

Grace is a wonderful subject, having spent a few weeks on it now. Yet grace can seem quite unfair, being so undeserved, unwarranted, and frankly unhelpful in being a freebie giveaway. So, is God unfair? To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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HEALING GRACE - from Sunday, September 14, 2014

Grace stands at the center of Christian life and Presbyterian doctrine. The power of grace is transformational. It starts with God's grace for his creation and its creatures, particularly the humans who as a species have figured out how to sin with stunning persistence. To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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PAINFUL DECISIONS REQUIRED - from Sunday, September 7, 2014

Some decisions are easy and unmemorable - jelly donut or Boston creme? Others are the kind that we'd like to avoid altogether. But avoidance really isn't an option either. What to do? To continue reading and see the sermon video, click here.

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READY TO SERVE? - from Sunday, August 31, 2014

Blog post from Sunday's worship service includes sermon video and Fair-fielder answers:
     We know from experience that taking on a big challenge requires preparation, training, study, and even some experience in order to be successful. That knowledge makes us wonder about God's criteria (and Jesus's) for calling the odd collection of servants to advance the Kingdom. To continue reading, click here.

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BEARING THE KEYS - from Sunday, August 24, 2014

Blog post from Sunday's worship service includes sermon video and Fair-fielder answers. Click here.

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GETTING STARTED WITH DESIGN

Tells about this new version of our web site under development, explains what's happening, and solicits your comments! Click here.

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