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Sermons and Children’s Message
Worship services are recorded weekly. Please click a date below to view the service.
July 8, 2018 Sermon “Wisdom From Above” Pastor Maribel Celiz
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10; and Mark 6: 1-13.
Godly leadership is measured in terms of justice, righteousness, and service. When David remembered this, he lived into his calling, both as king of the Israelites and as a child of God. When Jesus’ gifts and leadership were rejected in Nazareth, he moved on, heading to other towns and villages. In doing so, he fulfilled his service to God and taught his disciples to do the same. When Paul reflected on his calling, he saw that his weakness required him to put his trust in Christ, which in turn allowed God’s power to lay claim on his life, as he served in Christ’s name. Even the “city of God”, whether the historic Jerusalem or the “new Jerusalem” of Revelation 22, is called to be a city of justice and righteousness in service to God and neighbor. We all are called to such servant leadership – leadership that brings justice and righteousness to God’s world.
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17: 1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49; Psalm 9: 9-20; 2 Corinthians 6: 1-13; and Mark 4: 35-41.
We have each been given gifts with which to serve God and God’s world. It takes a certain kind of courage to recognize and claim this truth. Today’s scriptures invite us to find our courage so that we have not “received the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6: 1b). David used his slingshot and his courage to defeat a giant. Jesus used his confidence and his centeredness to silence a storm. He then questioned why his disciples did not do the same. It takes courage to recognize and claim our gifts. It takes faith to serve God and to trust we are doing God’s will. These themes of courage and faith flow through today’s scriptures. May they flow through our worship plans as well.
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 8: 4-20, 11: 14-15; Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4: 13 – 5:1; Mark 3: 20-35.
Rethinking relationships is never easy. Yet today’s scriptures challenge God’s people to do just that. A king may make a nation feel powerful in the midst of other nations, but God warns that the Israelites will one day feel disempowered by the powerful king they so adamantly demand. A birth family may support and nurture us, but sometimes that same support and nurture tries to pull us back into the nest, rather than pushing us out into the world where God needs our ministries to fly. Jesus experienced this, and proclaimed his calling clearly when he reminded his birth family that his ministry family was larger than the household in which he was raised. Rethink your relationships and watch how your perspective changes.
Scriptures: Isaiah 6: 1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8: 12-17 and John 3: 1-17.
From the mysterious nature of the Trinity, the Spirit enters in. Being born of the Spirit brings new life – a life of adoption into God’s family, a life of unity with the Holy Spirit, a life of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus. And so the gift of Pentecost continues, for the Spirit comes, not only at the birth of the church, but at each and every instance of spiritual rebirth in our lives. Just as God’s Spirit blows where it will, so it is with our spirits. Whether we consider ourselves unclean, born again, or simply confused, God’s Spirit is with us and within us. However you understand this Holy One, and with whatever names you call on, give thanks to God!
Scriptures: Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26; John 17: 6-19; Psalm 1; 1 John 5: 9-13.
Fulfilling the scriptures, following the law of God, and abiding in God unite these readings. In Acts, Judas fulfilled the scriptures through his part in Jesus’ arrest, and now another apostle must be chosen to take his place. The psalmist proclaims that those who delight in God’s law are like trees planted by streams of water. The epistle warns us that God’s testimony is greater than human testimony: we find eternal life in God’s Son. In the Gospel, Jesus prays that his followers may all be one, and that by becoming so, may find joy. This is possible only by abiding in Christ as Christ abides in God. The early Christian community was not complete without a faithful apostle to replace Judas, and we are not complete until we are one in Christ.
(No Children’s Message)
May 6, 2018 (No sermon video due to technical issues)
Jesus is the one who fulfills the promises: we are beloved children of God who sin no more. Where do we find ourselves? Where do we find peace and healing? These questions help us find our way.
Scriptures: Acts 4: 5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3: 16-24; and John 10: 11-18.
The good shepherd and the shepherding love of Christ is the focus of today’s readings. While Acts focuses on the unique saving ability of Jesus, John adds that other sheep are part of God’s fold. The familiar words of Psalm 23 become fresh when interwoven with the words from John 10 and 1 John 3. Though not in today’s readings, 1 Peter 2 adds rich imagery for the shepherding power of Christ.
Scriptures: Acts 4: 32-35; Psalm 133;1 John 1: 1 – 2:2; and John 20: 19-31.
These readings focus on the fullness of life experienced by believers. In Acts, followers of Christ share everything in common. In Psalm 133, everlasting life is a blessing from God. In the epistle, eternal life is found in God through Jesus Christ when we reject the works of darkness and live in the light. In the Gospel of John, Thomas needs to see in order to believe and proclaim his faith, even as we are told that it is in believing that we have life in Christ’s name. This is a day to embrace life and touch eternity in the here and now.
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.
Scriptures: Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 and John 20: 1-18
Despite appearances, death does not have the last word. The truth of God’s love is revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; in the life of the Church ;and in our lives today.