This week, we kick off our Fall. It is Rally Sunday! All our programs are restarting now, we have a great big picnic after church thanks to our Deacons. We even have a baptism. It is a joyful day.

We also begin a short Fall sermon series based on the Revised Common Lectionary Texts. The series is called NO OFFENSE.

In our polarized world today, it takes almost nothing to light a spark of outrage that turns into a fire of division and hatred. It seems harder than ever to get past places where we disagree and misunderstand and find our way to genuine community with those who are different than us. Yet, Jesus operates differently too. Jesus was considered a stumbling block because His message was so counter to everything we have been taught. How can we meet offense head-on in our world with the grace that Jesus calls us to as His followers?

LINK TO READABLE SERMON PDF

This week, we come to our final question of this series: WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?

This question echoes (or foreshadows) one that Pastor Dottie preached on a couple weeks ago with the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000+ people with just a few loaves and fishes. While His disciples were panicking, Jesus urged them to share what they had and trust God for the rest. Similarly, in this story, God has called Moses out of his simple, quiet life to do something unbelievable–to confront the most powerful ruler in the land and demand freedom for his people. Naturally, Moses has many objections and excuses to this intimidating calling, and God amazingly accommodates those, but also asks Moses a question. What is that in your hand? What is in his hand is an ordinary, everyday tool; an unremarkable shepherd’s staff. But what can God do with our small and ordinary things? We ask God many questions, but God also has questions like this for us. How will we respond? Will we let God work through us?

Link to readable sermon PDF

This week, we are blessed to welcome Rev. Dottie LaPenta (a frequent guest preacher at COA) as our pulpit supply during Pastor Jessie’s vacation. She continues on with this summer sermon series “Great Questions of the Bible”, and today the focus will be on

This week, we are blessed to welcome Rev. Dottie LaPenta (a frequent guest preacher at COA) as our pulpit supply during Pastor Jessie’s vacation. She continues on with this summer sermon series “Great Questions of the Bible”, and today focuses on

This week, we come to a question in one of the most quoted and beautiful chapters of the Bible in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul is towards the end of his missionary career, and has been through a great deal of trial and tribulation. Christians too are receiving his words in times of persecution, division and violence. Paul offers tremendous reassurance that having faith does not prevent these hardships in life, but still that NOTHING can separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ. Sometimes WE can push God away, but God always seeks relationship and room to work in our lives. How can we find ways to connect more with this love that will not let us go? How can this promise help us to better navigate the inevitable difficulties of life? Let’s meditate together on this incredible promise!

Link to readable sermon PDF