Sermons

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

    • May 19, 2019 Choir “Through It All” and Sermon “Love Each Other” Love Feast Sunday.
      • Scriptures: Acts 11: 1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21: 1-6; and John 13: 31-35.
      • It’s a new day. Every scripture on this Easter season Sunday calls us to new life, new outlook, new hope, and a new call to love. Revelation’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth is coupled with Jesus’ commandment that we are to love one another as we have been loved by Christ. As Peter explains his vision that all things created by God are holy and pure, he launches a new vision of the early church, one that will include all who are open to the Spirit’s powerful presence. That Spirit of inclusion is reflected in the psalmist’s celebration that all of creation proclaims God’s praise – a joyous portrayal of the new heaven and new earth promised in Revelation 21.
    • May 12, 2019 Sermon “Arise” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Acts 9: 36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7: 9-17; and John 10: 22-30.
      • Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd – guiding us toward the source of living water, and taking care of us even when we are afraid or beset by enemies. We can trust in the promise of salvation and eternal life when we follow Jesus and trust God’s goodness and grace.
    • May 5, 2019 Sermon “Jesus Lives and Is on the Move”  Rev. Edwin Foster
    • (No sermon 4/28/19 due to Special Music Sunday)
    • April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday Sermon “Seeing is Believing” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Acts 10: 34-43; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15: 19-26; John 20: 1-18; and Luke 24: 1-12.
      • The power of perspective drives the story of Easter Sunday. Are we looking for hope in the message of Jesus the Christ? Are we prepared to discover life in the midst of death? Are we ready to receive faith in the midst of doubt? Even when we aren’t sure what we’re looking for, Christ comes. Christ lives. Christ is present. We are not alone, and both life and love win. This is the victory of the Easter story.
    • (Sorry – technical issues – no video for 4/14/19)
    • April 7, 2019 Sermon “The God Who Saves” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14; and John 12: 1-8.
      • Our Hebrew scriptures remind us to remember the power of God’s mighty deeds in the past as we face trials in the present. For the One who has saved Israel will surely do so again. Our New Testament scriptures tell us that all other considerations must be set aside with considering our relationship with Christ. Paul explains that all the gains he had before are nothing compared to what he has gained in Christ. And Jesus tells his disciples that whatever value that costly nard might bring if sold was nothing compared to the value of the gift of anointing him for his burial. We should draw strength and confidence from the past, but our present is inextricably linked to our relationship with God in Christ.
    • March 31, 2019 Sermon “What is God Like?” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Joshua 5: 9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21; and Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32.
      • On this fourth Sunday in Lent, these scriptures remind us of the renewing power of God’s forgiveness.  Joshua tells us that the Israelites have wandered in the desert for a while, but God is gracious. The people find a land where they are able to restore their relationship with God, settle in long enough to plant crops, and gather in the harvest. The psalmist utters words that can heal hearts. When we come before God and confess our sins, God’s steadfast love and forgiveness leads to new life and new relationships. The epistle vividly portrays becoming a new creation in Christ. And finally, we have the well-known story of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke. A son who wandered away and squandered his entire inheritance, finds forgiveness from his father. May the father’s open arms remind us that God embraces us with loving affection and forgiveness, and sets us on a new path where righteousness, hope, and peace fill our days!
    • March 24, 2019 Sermon “Judgmental Jesus?” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Isaiah 55: 1-9; Psalm 63: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13; and Luke 13: 1-9.
      • Not all food nourishes us; not all drinks quench our thirst. Isaiah reminds the people not to waste their resources on the things that do not satisfy. Together with the words from the psalmist, today’s Hebrew Bible passages affirm that seeking God is the path to fulfillment. The epistle tells us that the same spiritual food and drink that strengthened our ancestors in faith is our food and drink today. We are filled when we listen for the voice of God and when we cling to God with our whole being 
    • March 17, 2019 Sermon “Repent” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Genesis 15: 1-2, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3: 17 – 4:1; and Luke 13: 31-35.
      • Stark contrasts weave these texts together: darkness and light, death and salvation, shame and glory, betrayal and fidelity. But in all things, we are called to wait for the Lord, who is our deliverance and salvation. In terrifying darkness, God enters into a covenant with Abram and promises that Abraham’s yearning for a son will be fulfilled. At the same time, the psalmist calls us to be strong and take heart, for God is our light and our salvation. Adversaries may rise against us in war, but God saves the faithful, turning fear into shouts of joy. The epistle warns that enemies of Christ revel in shame, while true disciples shine in God’s glory. And Jesus brushes off warnings about Herod’s plan to kill him, because nothing will deter him from doing the works of God: healing the sick, preaching the good news, casting out demons. Today’s readings provide rich imagery depicting the need to wait for the Lord and the choices we face in our journey of faith.
    • March 10, 2019 Sermon “40 Days of Preparation” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11; Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16; Romans 10: 8b-13; and Luke 4: 1-13.
      • Lest we be tempted by superficial slogans and simple solutions, Lent invites us to a deeper spirituality, a longer memory of faith, and a wider, more complex witness of scripture and tradition. It invites us, like the ancient Israelites and Jesus in the desert, to recite and to deliberately not forget. 
    • March 3, 2019 Sermon “Let God Shine with Glory”  Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Exodus 34: 29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3: 12 – 4:2; and Luke 9: 28-43a)
      • The mystery and wonder shrouding God’s holiness is central in today’s scripture readings. The psalmist extols the glory and majesty of God – the one who sits enthroned upon the cherubim. And just as Moses’ face was radiant from being in God’s presence, so too Jesus was transfigured upon the mountaintop with Moses and Elijah. The essence of glory is mystery, and the essence of mystery is wonder.
    • February 24, 2019 Sermon by Ed Foster
      • Scriptures:  Genesis 45: 3-11, 15; Psalm 37: 1-11, 39-40; 1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50; and Luke 6: 27-38.
    • February 17, 2019 “God’s Nature” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Jeremiah 17: 5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-20; Luke 6: 17-26.
      • The blessings and woes of Jesus’ sermon on the plain capture the tone and theme of today’s scriptures. Jeremiah and the psalmist contrast the blessing of the righteous, who are like trees planted by streams of water, with the curse of the wicked, who are like shrubs that wither and die in the desert. Likewise, Jesus contrasts the blessings in store for those who are poor and who suffer now with the woes in store for those who are rich and comfortable. These scriptures describe both the blessings of God’s kingdom and the consequences of putting earthly rewards above heavenly blessings. They highlight the blessings gained from trusting God, and the loss incurred when we turn away from God. The epistle argues for belief in the resurrection and does not fit these themes.
    • (sorry – no video due to technical issues 2/10/19)
    • February 3, 2019 “I Formed You” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 71: 1-6; 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13; and Luke 4: 21-30.
      • God is with us and knows us before we are even born. The psalmist proclaims that this God, who took each of us from our mother’s womb, is our rock and our refuge. Jeremiah is called to trust this God to tell him what to say and how to speak – for God puts words of prophecy in the mouths of God’s servants. Jesus knew only too well the effect those words can have on communities, as his hometown almost threw him off a cliff when they heard him speak. And Paul warns that, while God knows us and gives us words to speak, we see only in part. What we share with the world is only part of a much larger truth – a truth that we will never fully understand until we see God face-to-face. It is more important to love well than to speak with the tongues of angels or to unfold all mysteries. This is sobering advice to individual and religious communities that would rather instruct others in the word of God than share with others the love of God. 
    • (No worship on 1/27/19 due to extreme cold).
    • January 20, 2019 “Fountain of Line” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Isaiah 62: 1-5; Psalm 36: 5-10; 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11; and John 2: 1-11.
      • Today’s readings focus on the overflowing love of God. The psalmist praises God’s steadfast love as a “river of … delights” and a “fountain of life” (Psalm 36:9 NRSV). John tells the story of Jesus turning jars brimming with water into the finest wine to please the wedding feasts’s guests. Paul speaks of the Spirit giving Jesus’ followers a full range of gifts that enliven the faith community to God’s wisdom and knowledge (the Greek word for “activates” in verses 4 & 11 is the root of the word “energy”.) These texts convey God’s abundant love – a love that brings joy, comfort, purpose and enlightenment. 
    • (Sorry – no video for January 13 due to technical issues)
    • January 6, 2019 “Lift Up Your Eyes, the King is Here!” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures: Isaiah 60: 1-6; Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3: 1-12; and Matthew 2: 1-12.
      • God is not limited by time or space. The good news of Christ is available to everyone. Like Paul who came to know Christ in a vision, or the Magi who followed a star to the birthplace of Jesus, we are called to witness to the love and goodness of God in every time and place, by caring for all who are in need. 
    • December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve Worship
      • Scriptures: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Psalm 95; Titus 2: 11-14; and Luke 2: 1-10
      • This is a night for rejoicing – a night to sing a new song to God, a night to celebrate the salvation brought through the birth of Jesus, a night to embrace the light that shines in the darkness. God’s light and salvation shine forth through a child who will rule with justice and righteousness. This is a night to sing with all creation the glorious salvation of our God.
    • December 9, 2018 Sunday School Christmas Program “The Working Angel’s Guide to Christmas”
    • November 4, 2018 Guest Speaker Josie Gobel “Be Just, Be Green”
    • October 28, 2018 Special Music Performance by Singer/Songwriter Dan Holmes
    • Easter Sunday, 4/1/18 “He Lives!” Pastor Maribel Celiz
      • Scriptures:  Acts 10: 34-43; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11; and John 20: 1-18.
      • Evil may prevail for a day, but the life and the power of God are stronger than death; indeed, death has lost its sting. The steadfast love of God, spoken of by the psalmist, has raised Jesus from the dead. How ill we recognize our risen Savior? Jesus calls us each by name – a call to discipleship and service. The hymn “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” says it all. Everything else is commentary. 
      • Children’s Message
      • December 24, 2017 Christmas Eve Worship 7:00 p.m.