Click the photo to learn more (PDF) about Pastor Sandy
Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have made lots of headlines lately, but the Bible also has some intriguing and courageous women characters — and they are the subjects of this sermon from August 24.
Courageous Women
Exodus 1:8 – 2:10 Romans 12:1-8
If I remember correctly, when I was in high school we talked a lot about conformity. We all agreed that it was not a good thing. Conformity was what made you follow the lead of other people
My sermon today was not about a highway bridge, but about Biblical bridges — one between two great narratives of the Hebrew Scriptures, and one between two ancient cultures.
Bridges
Genesis 45:1-15 Matthew 15:21-28
Joseph was generous. Joseph was forgiving. Still, Joseph wasn’t a particularly nice guy.
Rev. Karen Smith Sellers (UCC Minnesota Conference Minister) attended UCC today to present Sandy with the Leyseth Award. Sandy was given the award at the conference in June, but Karen came to UCC today to share this announcement with our congregation. The Layseth Award is given to a person who lifts up the role of women in ministry, provides new life in the church and community , and who continues to grow through further education. Rev. Karen Smith Sellers was introduced by Molly Woehrlin the chair of the Congregation, Minister Relations Committee (MCRC).
Today was also Sandy’s birthday and we celebrated with cake and ice cream after worship.
In today’s text, Jesus calls Peter to walk on the water of the Sea of Galilee — and he does! I’m taking the opportunity to talk about people who called me to leave the safety of my routine and dare something new — and a few people who just shoved me out of the boat! (By the way, I should probably have changed the title of this sermon…)
Don’t Look Down
Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b; Matthew 14:22-33
Three things have shaped my sermon for today. First are the three cottage meetings we have had so far this summer, where church members and I have shared stories of how we came to be part of this congregation in Northfield. The part of my own story that often provokes questions is the part where I leave my job and my home in Seattle and head for seminary.
For most of us, church is a physical place, a building we go to when we worship, attend meetings, or participate in programs.
But for a growing number of people, church can also be a website called i.ucc.org
There are Bible studies, an online prayer service every evening, educational resources of several kinds, plus many blogs, forums, and other electronic conversations.
Who “attends” i.ucc.org? Lots of different people: UCC members who want to widen their circle, UCC folk who don’t have a UCC congregation near by, and perhaps most importantly, people without a church connection who have somehow been drawn to the particular ministry of the United Church of Christ: No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.
Take a look at this online community, then let us know what you think about it! Just click on the title of this post, then scroll down to the comment section.
Please click on the August 2008 Chronicle for church news and interesting events happening at First UCC this month!
Today I tried to tie together two very different stories: Jacob wrestling with God and Jesus feeding the 5000 with only five loaves and two fish. The connection: both stories start with someone who is afraid …
Scoundrels and Saints
Genesis 32:22-31 Matthew 14:13-21
The cover of this morning’s bulletin may have been a clue to you about my reflections on the Biblical texts for this week: two illustrations of different styles sitting next to each other, but not really connected. The two stories we just heard – one about Jacob wrestling with God, and one about Jesus feeding a crowd of 5000 people with five loaves and two fish – these stories are remarkably resistant to being woven together into a single sermon. What they do share, curiously enough, is a focus on fear.
