|
|||||
 |
Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33 Starting Small The prayer hymn we are going to sing when I finish preaching is probably a better sermon than the one you are about to hear. So I’d like to begin by asking you to turn Most of the year I pay no attention to bicycle racing, but in July I sit glued to my television watching the Tour de France. There is something about the combination of extraordinary athleticism, cunning strategy, powerful tradition, and beautiful scenery that is mesmerizing. I have been trying to find a spiritual message [...] Did you sing “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” when you went to camp? Did you know that the ladder was part of a dream that Jacob had when he was running away from a feud with his twin brother? Wait .. there’s more to this story … Stone Pillow Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Several years ago a sociologist of religion, Kirk Hadaway, wrote a book called Rerouting the Protestant Mainstream about the qualities of congregations that were thriving in spite of the overall drop in membership and attendance in Protestant churches. One of those qualities that has stayed with me was this: in a thriving church, people expect God to be present in worship. I thought of this observation when I read the words of Jacob in today’s lesson:
We have yet to find a real ‘cottage’ in Northfield , but reminiscent of [...] Members and friends of all ages gathered on July 2 to eat fresh strawberry shortcake and listen to piano and flute music. If you missed the Strawberry Festival, you’ll enjoy these pictures. Here are Jean Parsons, Patte Rhodes, and Barbara Crouter.
The kitchen crew had fun, too [...] Today’s political reporters often ask candidates trick questions that are designed to trap them into saying something controversial or unpopular. The Pharisees did the same thing to Jesus, but he was pretty adept at out-tricking them … Trick Questions Matthew 22:15-22; Psalm 100 They were out to trick him. It was as simple and timeless as that. They wanted to ask him a question that would incriminate him no matter how he answered it. It was the first century equivalent to “When did you stop beating your wife?” They hoped that offering some compliments before the question would put him off guard. “We know you are sincere …” they said … even though they, themselves, were not the least bit sincere. Jesus wasn’t fooled by any of it. Please click on the July 2008 Chronicle for church news and interesting events happening at First UCC this month! Fighting Apostles go to bat for CAC An inspired Fighting Apostle squad accepted the Church Softball All-Star Game Challenge and delivered in full measure, pounding out another 17 runs in a 17-5 win over New Covenant last Sunday. For those participating in the challenge, the Apostles recorded 34 runs in the last two games [...] |
Rev. Cindy Mueller and Rev. Dr. Bob Griggs
Click here to make a monetary donation to First UCC.
 |
|||
|
Copyright © 2012 FIRST UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST - All Rights Reserved |
|||||
United Church of Christ (national site)
In a world where “bigger is better,” it is hard to remember that most things — from skyscrapers to symphonies to prayers — begin small. Consider the mustard seed and the portion of yeast, for example …