Service

We remember them

Summary:

This sermon explores the enduring connection between the living and the deceased, emphasizing how memories and inherited traits keep ancestors present. It suggests that loved ones continue to influence us through shared history, cherished objects, and even physical resemblances. The speaker draws on literature and personal anecdotes to illustrate how reflecting on the past can enrich our present and guide our future. Honoring our ancestors, even with their imperfections, enables us to appreciate their impact and pass on blessings to future generations. The text reflects on the idea of “coming home” to one’s true self through faith, family history, and recognizing the continuity of life across generations. Ultimately, it proposes that remembering and celebrating our ancestors deepens our sense of belonging and purpose.

Service

Surprised by Joy

Summary:

This sermon is about marriage equality and the landmark Loving v. Virginia case. It highlights Mildred and Richard Loving’s struggle against racial discrimination and their fight for the right to marry. The speaker draws parallels between the Loving’s case and the fight for same-sex marriage, emphasizing the importance of fairness and equal rights for all. They celebrate the recent Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage in Virginia and reflect on the congregation’s active support of marriage equality. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to continue advocating for justice and fairness in housing, employment, and other areas.

Service

The Upside Down Church

Summary:

This sermon reflects on a previous sermon about community and encourages the congregation to embrace the church’s potential for conflict as a necessary part of spiritual growth. Using the example of a resort developer’s excessive spending, the speaker contrasts this self-centered ambition with the church’s focus on making a difference in the world and finding deeper meaning. The church is presented as a transformative space, challenging societal values and offering a community where individuals can discover their gifts, practice love, and support each other through difficult times. Forgiveness is emphasized as essential for personal and communal healing, while recognizing the inherent challenges in creating a covenant of mutual support and understanding. The speaker acknowledges the potential for pain and joy as part of a shared spiritual journey and extends an invitation to embrace the “upside down church,” where lives can be transformed through service and connection.

Service

Faith

Summary:

This sermon explores the multifaceted nature of faith, presenting it not just as belief, but also as action and trust. It examines how faith can manifest in different ways, from institutionalized religion to personal experiences. The speaker shares stories, including one about rebuilding burned churches, to illustrate the power of faith in action and the sense of community it fosters. Contrasting intellectual and emotional approaches to faith, it highlights the importance of both head and heart. Ultimately, the sermon suggests that faith, whether connected to God or not, is a form of trust in a greater dream, inspiring action and sustaining individuals through challenges. It underscores the importance of questioning and doubt as companions to faith, and the transformative potential of embracing a dream of equality, compassion, and justice.

Service

Come together

Summary:

This sermon excerpts document a reflection on a three-year interim ministry. The speakers assess the congregation’s strengths, noting its caring nature and commitment to diversity and justice. However, financial struggles and a lack of enthusiasm for change are significant concerns. The speakers encourage the congregation to seek a shared vision of the future by considering how it will best serve its mission and community. They advocate for open communication and introspection. The message emphasizes the importance of embracing change while remaining true to the congregation’s core values.

Service

Becoming Ourselves

Summary:

This sermon discusses finding one’s vocation, drawing heavily on the work of Parker Palmer. It emphasizes the importance of inner listening over willful decision-making, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from aligning one’s deepest longings with the world’s needs. The speaker recounts personal experiences and uses anecdotes from others to illustrate the challenges and rewards of this introspective journey. The process is presented as a spiritual one, requiring both inner exploration and outward action, with community support playing a crucial role. Ultimately, the text advocates for a life lived authentically, finding meaning beyond material success or societal expectations.

Service

Blue Christmas

Summary:

This sermon explores the duality of the holiday season, acknowledging both the joy and the profound grief that many experience, particularly around the anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. It recognizes the pressure to be happy amidst personal loss and heartache. The speaker grapples with traditional religious explanations for suffering, offering a contrasting perspective of a God present in empathy and comfort rather than divine intervention. The message emphasizes finding personal paths to solace during difficult times, focusing on love and connection as sources of strength. It reframes the holiday wish as a hope for “loving holidays,” prioritizing love and remembrance over superficial cheer. Ultimately, the sermon offers a message of hope and resilience, asserting that even in the darkest times, light and love will return.

Service

A Little Piece of Heaven

Summary:

The provided text centers on the concept of building “true community” within a church setting. It draws upon M. Scott Peck’s ideas, particularly the story of “The Rabbi’s Gift,” to illustrate how respecting and valuing each individual can transform a community. The speaker outlines challenges to achieving deeper connection, including individualism, fear of conflict, and skepticism, while also highlighting the importance of showing up, engaging in self-awareness, and assuming good intentions. Ultimately, the text envisions the church as a “school for living,” where members commit to ongoing spiritual growth, embrace diversity, and learn to love one another more fully, thereby creating a “little piece of heaven” on Earth.

Service

Alone with the Alone

Summary:

The sermon explores the concept of existential loneliness, a feeling of being alone even amidst social connections. It suggests this loneliness stems from a longing for something larger than ourselves. The speaker proposes ways to cope with this feeling by nurturing connections with nature, others, and our inner selves, ultimately fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. This involves appreciating the beauty around us, caring for others, and using memory and imagination to reconnect with past experiences and envision future connections. The goal is to cultivate an inner sense of strength and interconnectedness, providing solace and peace even in moments of solitude.