Sermons

Worship services are recorded weekly. Please click a date below to view the service.

    • Drive-Up Communion Palm Sunday
    • April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday Sermon by Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Matthew 21: 1-11; Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29; Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31: 9-16; and Philippians 2: 5-11.
    • March 22, 2020 Sermon “God is With Us” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16: 1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5: 8-14; and John 9: 1-41.
      • Go to “Music” and select “Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone” from 9/8/19.
    • March 15, 2020 Sermon “Trusting in God” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures:  Exodus 17: 1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5: 1-11; John 4: 5-42.
      • We thirst for God, and God’s presence is always with us, ready to quench our thirst. In each of today’s readings, God is ready and waiting, present and available. The Israelites doubted God’s presence and felt parched, as did the Samaritan woman, and perhaps even the church at Rome. Even so, God’s grace was right there – as it always is – ready and waiting to quench our troubled souls and nourish us with life ever after.
    • March 8, 2020 Sermon “God So Loved the World” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Genesis 12: 1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17; and John 3: 1-17.
      • The readings from Genesis and the Gospel of John speak of God’s blessings, that we might be a blessing to others. If Abram will set out in faith, God promises to bless those who bless him, and to curse those who curse him. (Genesis 12:3) And John assures us that God’s Son was not sent into the world to condemn the world, but to save it.” (John 3: 17) How can our response to God be anything less than extending that blessing to others? Psalm 121 makes it clear that the one who helps us and keeps us from evil is the same God who created the heavens and the earth.
    • March 1, 2020 Sermon “To Whom Do We Listen? Rev. Edwin Foster
      • Scriptures: Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5: 12-19; and Matthew 4: 1-11.
      • Today’s scriptures highlight the reality of temptation in human life. Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation, whereas Jesus did not. Whether or not we accept Paul’s suggestion that death entered the human condition through Adam’s transgression, most Christian theologians post that we have the power to avoid our own temptations. To avoid robbing this Sunday of its theological depth, we must take seriously scripture’s claim that Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Feeding people is good. Demonstrating God’s power to rescue us is good. Having Jesus rule the world with righteousness would be good. But focusing on these goods would have kept Jesus from his higher purpose. The temptation to choose a lesser good because it is easier than pursuing a great good is something we all can relate to.
    • February 23, 2020 Sermon “Climb to the Mountaintop” by Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Exodus 24: 12-18; Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1: 16-21; and Matthew 17: 1-9.
      • God blesses us with high points in life, to help us bear the lows. Like mountain peaks that attract our eyes and lift up our heads, God’s blazing light shines for Moses on Mount Sinai, and through Jesus at his Transfiguration. In both cases, an unforgettable vision will help God’s sojourners find strength to endure future trials. Second Peter includes a unique first-person account of the Transfiguration, while Psalm 99 strikes a fitting chord of awe and praise.  May the mountaintop of this Sunday enable us to traverse life’s valleys and to proceed with courage as we enter Lent.
    • February 16, 2020 Sermon “Walking With God” by Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20; Psalm 119: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9; and Matthew 5: 21-37.
      • In this season of Epiphany, today’s scriptures remind us of the blessing it is to choose the ways of God. In these scriptures, we hear the invitation to follow God’s commandments. In Deuteronomy, we are instructed to “choose life.” The psalmist encourages us to be blameless and walk in the ways of God. Paul reminds us that it is God who gives growth and empowers us to be servants. And Matthew offers us commandments to follow that lead to life.
    • February 9, 2020 Sermon “You Are the Light of the World” by Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Isaiah 58: 1-12; Psalm 112: 1-10; 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16; and Matthew 5: 13-20.
      • In Judaism, there is a notion called “tikkun olam” which is often translated “the repair of the world.”  According to Jewish tradition, there are divine sparks of light scattered throughout creation, and when we act with justice, righteousness, and kindness, the light shines, and the world is healed. In this light-filled Epiphany season, today’s texts from Isaiah, Psalms and Matthew remind us that our light shines when we follow God’s commandments and are “merciful, compassionate and righteous.” (Psalm 112: 4b)
    • February 2, 2020 Sermon “God Has Shown Us the Way” by Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Micah 6: 1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31; Matthew 5: 1-12.
      • Today’s scriptures focus on states of being or doing. How shall I come before the Lord? How must I live my life if I am to abide in the tent of the Lord?  Is it better to be wise in the eyes of the world or a fool for God? Finally, from the Gospel: What about the times when I feel poor in spirit?  Blessed! What about when I am mourning?  Blessed! Persecuted for my faith? Blessed!  No matter what our state of being, we seek right relationship with our creator.
    • January 19, 2020 Sermon by Pastor Maribel Celiz
    • Sunday School Christmas Program “Sleepover at the Stable” December 15, 2019
    • November 17, 2019 UMW Sunday
    • October 27, 2019 (No sermon – Dan Holmes Musical Presentation (see Dan Holmes under Special Music)