Sermons from May 2022

As we conclude our series this week, we find parallel imagery and inspiration in Victor Hugo’s masterpiece alongside the garden’s of sacred text. The bishop who gifts Valjean with silver has a daily practice of walking in a garden. As Valjean raises Cosette, he does so in a home with an unruly garden that he evidently struggles to maintain. Marius and Cosette profess their love to each other in the secrecy of that same garden. Often people associate God with…

This week we consider the young students to whom Cosette becomes inextricably drawn. These idealists call themselves “Les Amis de l’ABC,” an interesting name that seems to indicate that their voices are raised on behalf of others. Do you hear the people sing? Scripture: Habakkuk 2:9-11; Mark 11:1-11 (CEB)

As we continue to explore the story of Les Misérables, we come to a story of love that is inserted in the middle of great conflict–the conflict of Valjean’s ongoing escape and the conflict brewing between Les Amis and local authorities. In the midst of this darkness, a spark of love erupts. Scripture: John 15:9-17 (CEB)

This week we continue our Worship series titled The Grace of Les Misérables, based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. This week we look at the life and struggles of Fantine, a woman who fell in love before finding herself a single mother. Fantine faced unimaginable choices and terrifying realities, and throughout this, is continually judged and continually dehumanized. Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 (CEB)

As we continue our Worship series on Les Misérables, we turn our attention from Jean Valjean to Javert, the police inspector whose rigid sense of justice conflicts with Valjean’s expression of compassionate grace. Scripture: Matthew 5:38-39 (CEB)