Sermons from 2022 (Page 5)

The Greatest of These

This week may hone in on our overall focus; this may be the “why” for us as people of The Way. The song suggests that “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” A very different song asks, “what is love?” Is it romantic? Is it fraternal? Is it parental? Is it self-serving? Is it selfless? Should we love God? Should we love our neighbor? The thirteenth chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth is likely the most…

We Are the Body

This Sunday as we continue our Worship series, we learn that there is beautiful diversity in God’s creation and even within our unity. Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth draws a powerful illustration, reminding us that we are beautifully unique with individual gifts that make our union in the Spirit profoundly strong. Because of our diversity and because of our unity, we are more than the sum of our individual parts. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (CEB)

Many Gifts

Just as we began last week at the beginning (with Baptism and Holy Communion), our first section of Paul’s letter starts with the Holy Spirit. Before we can talk about how we’re connected, before we can talk about the importance of love, before we can talk about what we bring to our faith community, we must first explore what connects and empowers us: the Holy Spirit. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (CEB)

Well Pleased

This Sunday we begin a new series called The Body of Christ: Learning & Re-Learning How to Be a Christian. This is also the time in the Christian year that we conclude Christmastide and Epiphany and begin Ordinary Time (sometimes called “season after Epiphany”). But this time is anything but ordinary! And so we seek comfort from the true source of comfort and goodness, the One who claims us and names us and loves us. Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (NRSV)

The Light of Home

Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, both Pastor Bob and Pastor Derek were prevented from being in Worship, and instead our South District Superintendent, the Rev. Sandy Olewine, brought a message of light and hope. Our Scripture this week comes from John 1:10-18.  It is the second half of the prologue to John’s Gospel. For the author of the Gospel of John, Jesus is the Word of God and the light that gives life.  Yet the truth is, no matter how…