This week, we come to the story of the angel visitation to the shepherds. The sky was brighter than usual that night, making it easier to keep track of the sheep. And then it got really bright. You would have thought that all that “glory” shining would have been “the sign.” That’s what most of us look for–great big obvious clues about God’s presence.
But instead, the angel says that a baby… a newborn helpless baby in a feeding trough was it–the sign. In a flash, the message was that #morelove is found where you least expect it and perhaps is already there residing in the ordinariness of your life.
When God offers God’s self in this form rather than that of might and force, we recognize that love is what will save us if we but open
ourselves to each other. And we discover that God does and will use the so-called “lowest” or marginalized to bring the real message of love to the world.
12/15/2024: ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANTATA
No sermon this week, but the message of Advent and Christmas is preached through music in our annual Christmas Cantata, provided by the excellent leadership of Diana Martin as well as members of our Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir and Contemporary Band. There are even some special guest musicians. This service is one that we look forward to every year! Perfect for this Sunday of JOY!
Also this is the day where we receive the annual Christmas Joy Offering. The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. This offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their
families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.
12/8/2024: Angels Among Us: #morepeace
This is week two of our Advent/ Christmas sermon series: Angels Among Us.
Last week, we read that the priest Zechariah freaked out when the other-worldly creature appeared to him. But Mary was simply “perplexed.” Why would such an incredible message come to a common girl just barely a woman? Then her reply to such a foretelling about her purpose in life was also simple: “Let it be so.”
Have you ever struggled with finding your purpose and being at peace with it? Or are you yearning for more peace in your life and relationships? #morepeace in the world happens when all of us feel #morepeace within ourselves and live out that message each day.
12/1/2024: ANGELS AMONG US ADVENT SERMON SERIES
Advent Sermon Series: Angels Among Us
The angels that appear in the story of Jesus’ birth would have been very comfortable in our world of tweets and hashtags. Their messages were often short and to the point — their favorite line being #DoNotBeAfraid.
As we look at the stories of these winged messengers to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds and their reactions to them, we will contemplate what messages we can offer that will counteract a culture of fear and bring #morehope, #morepeace, #morejoy, and #morelove to the world.
This first week of the series, we hear the story of Zechariah. It was just another day at the temple for Zechariah. It was his priestly turn to make sure everything was done properly and in good order. But it turned into something quite different when an angel showed up at the altar. Have you ever had a moment in your life after which you knew nothing would ever be the same? In the midst of great change, hope is always a welcome thing. Advent can remind us that God makes us ready for whatever unknown may come our way and calls us to be messengers of #morehope in an ever-changing world.
11/24/2024: Prove Who You Are (Christ the King Sunday)
Over the last few weeks we’ve been talking about how to cling to our faith and difficult times, how to remain hopeful, even when the headlines conspire to steal our hope away. It’s fitting that we close this series today by turning to what is simultaneously the darkest moment in human history, and the one from which we draw our greatest hope. today is the culmination of the Christian calendar, the climax to which the entire story builds, the day on which we announced that Christ is Lord of heaven and earth.
This king we have come to Crown is unlike any other, and his throne will be a cross — which helps to explain why most of the people around him cannot see him for who he is. In times that test us and show what we are made of, who will we be? Who will the Church be?