Posts from 2024 (Page 2)
Sermon Note: The Time of Singing Has Come
Introduction Welcome to the first Sunday of September, where we begin a new series on Uncommon Wisdom. This week, we dive into the poetic beauty of the Song of Solomon. This week’s text invites us into a celebration of love and the joy of God’s creation. As we consider this passage, we are reminded that there is a time for singing and rejoicing, even in the midst of all that life can bring. Let us embrace this time of renewal…
Get Ready for Book Talk!
Hello, Book Talkers! We are announcing the tentative dates of our 2024-25 meetings and actively searching for presenters from both inside and outside our church family. Please put these dates on your calendars: October 2 (featuring author Scott Mocha), November 6, December 11 (Warwick’s), January 8, February 5, March 12, April 2, and May 7. We kick off the year with a debut book from author Scott Mocha, a friend of Pastor Bob. Scott’s book, A Row with Two Chairs, is currently…
Sermon Note: Sent Out
Introduction We are at the end of our Worship with Rejoicing series. As we conclude we explore 1 Kings 8, where we see the grandeur of the temple dedication and Solomon leading the people in worship and prayer. The Ark of the Covenant is placed in the temple, and the glory of God fills the space. This moment is a powerful reminder of God’s presence among the people. However, Solomon’s prayer reveals that this encounter with the divine is not…
Sermon Note: Benediction
Introduction We are nearing the conclusion of our Worship with Rejoicing series. As we come to the end of a worship service, we often hear the words of benediction—a sending forth, a blessing. But what does it mean to be blessed as we go back into the world? The passage from 1 Kings today recounts the transition of leadership from King David to Solomon, a pivotal moment where wisdom, guidance, and blessing were deeply sought. Solomon’s request for wisdom is…
Sermon Note: Prayers of the People
Introduction As we near the end of our Worship with Rejoicing series, we turn our focus to the “Prayers of the People.” In our scripture passage, we encounter David in a moment of deep sorrow as he learns of the death of his son Absalom. This passage reveals the profound emotions that prayer can express—anguish, grief, and the weight of intercession. It reminds us that prayer is not just about the words we speak but also about the deep cries…
Sermon Note: The Weight of the Word
Introduction In week 4 of our Worship with Rejoicing series, we step into a powerful narrative from the story of King David that reveals the weight and impact of God’s word in our lives. Following last week’s difficult text about David and Bathsheba, the King is confronted by the prophet Nathan. In the narrative, we witness a moment of deep conviction and repentance that underscores the transformative power of acknowledging our failures and seeking forgiveness. The prophet’s confrontation with David…
Sermon Note: Call to Confession
Introduction The call to confession is a vital part of our worship service, inviting us to come before God with honesty and humility. It’s a time to acknowledge our shortcomings and seek God’s forgiveness and grace. In 2 Samuel 11:1-15, we encounter one of the most well-known and troubling stories of King David’s life. David’s actions, leading to the adultery with Bathsheba and the arranged death of her husband Uriah, reveal the depths of human weakness and the necessity of…
Sermon Note: Call to Worship
Introduction The call to worship is an invitation to come before God with hearts open and ready to experience God’s presence. It is a moment that transitions us from our everyday lives into a sacred space where we can connect with the Divine. In 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, we see King David, settled in his palace, expressing a desire to build a house for God. This passage highlights the importance of intentionality and reverence in our approach to worship. As we…
Sermon Note: Gathering for Worship
Introduction Worship is the heartbeat of our faith community. It’s a time when we gather to celebrate, reflect, and connect with God and each other. In the story of King David, we find a powerful example of what it means to gather for worship. As the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem, David leads the people in joyous celebration, dancing before the Lord with all his might. This scene captures the essence of worship as a communal and…
Back to School Backpacks
CCSA Backpack Program Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA) is starting their annual program to provide backpacks for children in need. Information is available at this CCSA website: https://www.ccsasandiego.org/backpack-program Backpacks are prepared for either K to 2nd grade students or 3rd to 9th grade students. You purchase the backpack and then stock it with the supplies on the appropriate list, then drop off the backpacks at the CCSA office in Clairemont, bring them to Sunday service, or deliver them to our…
Sermon Note: In Weakness and in Strength
Introduction In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments of profound strength and times of deep weakness. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, shares a personal testimony of his own struggles and the divine strength that sustains him. He speaks of a “thorn in the flesh”—a persistent challenge that he pleaded with God to remove. Yet, God’s response was not to take away the struggle, but to provide grace sufficient to draw him nearer to…
Sermon Note: This I Call To Mind
Introduction This week we continue a new sermon series inviting us to explore how we live open-heartedly in a risky world and at a contentious time. Many of us experience life as a tapestry, woven with threads of both sorrow and joy. In this week’s text, we turn to the book of Lamentations. The Book of Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in…