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Sermons

Below is a chronological listing of the sermons given during our morning worship service. The files are in *.PDF format; you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view them. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download a free copy from their website.

  • 2009
    Waiting in Faith (Habakkuk 3:16-19) - February 15, 2009
    Can we sing the song of faith when we cannot hear the music? Life is filled with adversity. Can we remain faithful to the covenant--to love God and love neighbor--in difficult times?
    A Gospel Paradox (2 Corinthians 12:1-10) - January 25, 2009
    Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was an impediment and hindrance to his ministry. Nevertheless, he discovered that in his weakness he was strengthened through God's grace. God's grace is most fully experienced through our weaknesses and struggles.
    Solitude and Service (Mark 1:35-39) - January 11, 2009
    If we are to serve our world with compassion and joy, we must make space for times of solitude--to study, reflect, and pray. Only in silence and solitude can we know who we really are and what we are to be about.
    Herod, Chief Priests, Scribes, and Mage (Matthew 2:1-13) - January 4, 2009
    Whenever religious power collaborates with misguided political power the result cannot be good.
  • 2008
    Imagining God (Galatians 4:4-7) - December 27, 2008
    How we imagine God translates into how we relate to God. We need images that capture the richness that is God.
    Kingdom Grace (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:26-38) - December 21, 2008
    God chose Mary not because she was special; rather, Mary was special because God chose her. This same pattern is reflected in the ministry of Jesus and expresses an important characteristic of God's new world.
    Loving Justice (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:46-55) - December 14, 2008
    The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not simply about a social ethic, it is a social ethic.
    The Grace of Forgiveness (Mark 8:1-8) - December 7, 2008
    It's important to realize what forgiveness is and what it is not, because forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel of Jesus.
    Deconstruction and Reconstruction (Mark 13:24-37) - November 30, 2008
    The end of the world is relative to our experience. Any day our world could collapse. Faith keeps us going--serving, praying, and watching--for Christ to come into our lives with healing and grace.
    Grace Inspired Giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-7) - November 23, 2008
    Where does the impulse to give generously, with overflowing joy, come from? What does it mean to experience life as grace?
    Love Without End (John 15:5-17) - November 16, 2008
    God's love that has become incarnate in Christ is unconditional, inclusive, challenging, and sacrificial. We can experience this love by staying connected to Christ.
    Living Out of the Center (John 3:16-17) - November 2, 2008
    We tend to be a circumference people, living on the edges of life, pursuing that which is superficial. We need a center out of which to live an authentic human existence.
    "The Limits of Belief, the Possibilities of Faith" (John 12 37-50) - October 26, 2008
    Many Christians cannot question their beliefs because they are afraid of losing their faith. If we nurture a deeper, stronger faith, then we are free to question what we have been taught to believe. In fact, a vibrant, growing faith requires an evolving system of belief.
    "Out of Death--Life!" (John 12:23-28) - October 12, 2008
    Transformed living requires death to our ego attachments--all those needs and desires that feed and fuel ego-centeredness. Jesus' own death serves as the pattern for our salvation.
    The Hope of New Life (John 11:38-44; 25-26a) - October 5, 2008
    The pain and loss of death, whether physical death or the many other kinds of death we experience in life such as the death of a marriage, dream, career, etc. is part of the human condition. It can bring us to the brink of despair. The living Christ comes to us to bring hope and new life out of the pain of grief and loss.
    The Miracle of Sight (John 9:1-11) - September 28, 2008
    The story of Jesus' healing of a man born blind in John 9 powerfully and beautifully illustrates faith as a way of seeing. Those who presume to see are blind. Spiritual sight, however, requires a much humbler approach.
    The Voice of the Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34;1-6,15-16; John 10:2-5, 11-15) - September 20, 2008
    John's church believed that the living Christ was in their midst like a Good Shepherd and the sheep were able to hear his voice and follow. Do we believe today that the living Christ is here when we gather in his name? And do we come expecting to hear and respond to his voice?
    Judging Rightly (John 7:14-25) - September 7, 2008
    Jesus says: "Don't judge by mere appearances, but rather, judge rightly." What does it mead to "judge rightly," particularly with regard to our sacred Scriptures and also within and outside of our faith community?
    When Christ Offends (John 6:60-69) - August 31, 2008
    Many people think of Jesus as a huge success, but here Jesus teaches in a way that gets rid of most of his followers, and he seems to be intentional about it. Why do people quit following Jesus? Could it be that many of us make Jesus into the Savior we want him to be instead of allowing Jesus to challenge our expectations and reorder our desires?
    Signs of God's New World (John 6:1-14) - August 24, 2008
    In John's version of the feeding of the multitude Jesus tests the faith of the disciples. Having a small amount of faith is not the same as having none at all. Christ is able to use our meager resources in amazing ways when we participate in his love and compassion for the world.
    When Getting It Right Is Getting It Wrong (John 6:1-33) - August 17, 2008
    The crowd's response/interchange with Jesus in John 6 shows how we can get certain things about Christ right, but at the same, completely miss the implications of our faith for life.
    The Bread of Life (John 6:48-58) - August 10, 2008
    What does it mean to say that Jesus is the living bread or bread from heaven? How do we partake of this bread and what are the implications in our lives?
    Encountering the Life of God (John 5:19-30) August 3, 2008
    Jesus, the Son, acting in behalf of the Father is authorized by God to bestow life and to judge. Faith in Jesus as the giver of life involves an active faithfulness to the way of Jesus in the world. What we believe in the core of our being shapes and influences what we do and the person we become. That Jesus, the one who gives his life for the life of the world, is our judge is good news.
    Kinds of Faith (John 4:46-54) - July 27, 2008
    While some form of the word "belief" occurs over one hundred times in John's Gospel faith is never defined. The characters in the stories express different kinds of faith. It is important that we allow the same kind of diverse expressions in our faith communities.
    Can I Get a Witness? (John 4:27-30, 39-42) - July 20, 2008
    Much of the language of the Gospel of John attributed to Jesus is the language of testimony about Jesus--what he meant to the church in Asia at the end of the first century. The church of today needs to be able to talk about our God experiences in a context of love and acceptance.
    Drinking Living Water (John 4:4-26) - July 13, 2008
    Jesus offers the woman of Samaria living water? She doesn't understand the offer, because she initially can only think in literal categories; but Jesus is speaking in metaphors and symbols. We too, like the woman, may need to rethink what John means by "eternal life."
    Born Again (John 3:1-15) - July 7, 2008
    Every newborn child in becoming a separate self develops a self-centered self. We all have a "false self" influenced by the messages of our culture that we internalize. Hence, the need to be born again and again and again. This is God's work, but we can prepare ourselves for it.
    Faith as a Way of Seeing (John 1:43-51) - June 29, 2008
    Jesus' words to Nathanael shatter old assumptions and beliefs and set before him the prospect of seeing greater things. Faith is a way of seeing. If we are to see in ever new and fresh ways we must be willing to allow the living Christ to move us beyond our negative and unhealthy assumptions to more wholesome and positive ways of seeing.
    Finding Life (John 1:35-42) - June 22, 2008
    The invitation of Jesus to "come and see" is an invitation to discover spiritual life that is life transforming.
    Jesus' Nonviolent Atonement (John 1:19-34) - June 15, 2008
    What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? How does Jesus take away our sin? Jesus, through his non-violent response to his enemies, exposes the sin of the evil and hate of the world, in order to break the cycle of hate and violence through forgiveness.
    The Human Face of God (John 1:1-18) - May 25, 2008
    Jesus is introduced in John's Gospel as the Word (Logos) made flesh full of grace and truth. Jesus is the lens through which Christians see and know God. As we draw from the fullness of God in Christ--God's fullness of grace and truth--we appropriate the grace we need to meet every challenge.
    The Path to Contentment (Philippians 4:10-20) - May 18, 2008
    Paul tells that the church at Philippi that he has learned the secret of being content in all situations. We too, can learn the secret of contentment in our discipleship to Christ.
    A Mother's Love (Luke 13:31-35) - May 11, 2008
    Jesus, drawing upon a rich tradition in the Hebrew Bible, describes his compassion for the inhabitants of Jerusalem using the image of a mother hen gathering her little chicks under her wings. Jesus' lament is the lament of a mother whose love has been scorned by the children she loves. Jesus, in his life and death, reflects a mother's love.
    Living Lives of Significance (Philippians 4:1-9) - May 6, 2008
    By attending to Paul's final instructions to the church at Philippi we can learn how to live lives of significance. Paul's final appeal to the church presents some helpful instruction that is as relevant for us today as it was for the church at Philippi in the first century. Loving, trusting, and following are key components in our relationship with God and engagement in the kingdom of God.
    The Being-Saved Community (Philippians 2:12-15) - April 27, 2008
    How we understand "salvation" will depend largely on the presuppositions and perspectives through which we approach it. In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi he instructs them to work out their salvation as a faith community, referring to the church collectively, rather than to members individually. The church is not on its own is working toward completeness in love; God is redemptively at work within the community inspiring desire and empowering deeds of love.
    Developing a Redeeming Outlook (Philippians 1:12-21) - April 20, 2008
    Paul was able to interpret the negative experience of his imprisonment in a positive, redemptive way. God does not will or cause the trials and sufferings we encounter in life, but God is present with us through all of life's experiences, and can help us nurture a redemptive outlook and kingdom perspective regardless of what happens to us.
    The Hardship of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27-30) - April 12, 2008
    The Philippian church faced hardship and opposition because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ. Their allegiance to Christ took precedence and preeminence over all other loyalties. We too are faced with questions of loyalty as disciples of Christ. What is the extent of our commitment?
    Putting on the Mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11) - April 6, 2008
    Paul quotes an early Christian hymn rich in Christology to deal with discord in the church. Paul calls the church to have the attitude of Jesus--to put away selfish ambition and pride, and give attention to the needs and interests of others.
    The Priority of Discipleship (Matthew 28:16-20) - March 30, 2008
    The mission of the church is to make disciples of Christ. The church is not to coerce or manipulate or push Christ on people, but live out the gospel in such a way that creates a desire for God as revealed in the life of Christ. Discipleship is not about dispensing information or getting the doctrine correct; it's about learning from Christ how to live in God's new world. Disciples learn from Christ how to love well.
    The Power of Life (Matthew 28:1-15) - March 23, 2008
    Though Christ is risen, it still feels like a Good Friday world. The evil that was at work in the actors of the crucifixion of Jesus is at work in the systems and structures of our world, as well as our individual lives. The power of the resurrection is the power to liberate us from the evil that enslaves, it is the power of life that sets us free from the power of sin and death.
    Jesus, the Lightning Rod (Matthew 27:32-44) - March 16, 2008
    God did not put Jesus to death, but God put Jesus in a crucifiable position. Jesus bore, not the punishment of God against sin, but the sin--the hate and animosity--of human beings. We crucified Jesus. Jesus interpreted his death as the seal of God's covenant with God's people. At the heart of this relationship is forgiveness--which is the capacity to bear the sin of others.
    The Cosmic Christ (Matthew 25:31-46) - March 9, 2008
    Christ, the ruler of heaven and earth, is the Judge to whom we must all give an account. He is also the one who died for us and revealed God's love and grace. Christ is committed to restorative justice; he is the Redeemer. The criterion of judgment in this Gospel text comes as a surprise to many. It's all about love, especially love offered "the least of these."
    The Clash of Two Kingdoms (Matthew 21:1-11) - March 2, 2008
    Jesus' entry into Jerusalem demonstrates the nature of God's kingdom, a kingdom that stands in direct tension with the kingdom reflected in Pilates procession into Jerusalem about the same time. These two kingdoms represent two ways to live, and each day we must choose which kingdom it will be.
    Surprised by Grace (Matthew 20:1-16) - February 24, 2008
    In the parable of the workers in the vineyard Jesus invites us to enter into the story and to be surprised by grace.
    Christ at the Center (Matthew17:1-8) - February 17, 2008
    Jesus is the lens through which we read Scripture. His death and resurrection constitute the pattern for conversion for all his followers.
    Finding the Way (Matthew 11:25-30) - February 10, 2008
    Jesus intimately knows God and makes him known. But God's truth and will, is not revealed to the intellectually arrogant, but to those who are receptive and humble, like little children. Jesus invites all people to come to him in order to find rest for their souls.
    Apprenticed to Jesus (Matthew 10:16-31) - January 27, 2008
    What does it mean to be a disciples of Jesus? How important is it? What threats do we face? The mission of the disciples to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom is the occassion to take a serious look at what discipleship to Christ involves.
    What Kind of Lord? (Matthew 8:14-27) - January 20, 2008
    When Jesus calms the wind and the waves that threaten to shipwreck the disciples' boat, they respond in wonder, "What kind of man is this?" That question is as relevant today as then. Matthew presents Jesus as a healer and mediator of an inclusive grace. But as the special representative of God's kingdom he also called disciples to a radical commitment. This sermon explores both the comfort of grace and the challenge of discipleship.
    Who Are We to Judge Others? (Matthew 7:1-5) - January 13, 2008
    There can be a fine line between discernment and judgment, and if we are not careful we can easily slip over from exercising discernment to pronouncing condemnation. Jesus tells us to be careful: that the measure we use to judge others will be the measure by which we are judged.
    Loving Your Enemies (Matthew 5:38-48) - January 6, 2008
    Jesus' teaching about loving our enemies is not practical, but it is redemptive, providing the only only hope for eliminating hate and violence among persons, communities and nations. Jesus really does expect his followers to share the heart of God and love their enemies.
  • 2007
    Discovering Your Vocation (Matthew 3:1-12) - December 30, 2007
    John the Baptist was an unusual character. He was heavy on judgment and got right to the point; he didn't worry about hurting feelings. But whatever we make of John one thing is clear: he was real--there was nothing fake or false about John; he was true to himself. In discovering our vocation we must be true to our deepest self; the self God created us to be.
    Saved by His Life (Matthew 1:18-25) - December 23, 2007
    Matthew introduces Jesus as the one who "will save his people from their sins." What does this mean? How does Jesus do that? We have to be familar with Matthew's Gospel in order to know what Matthew means by salvation from sins.
    The Joy of Giving (Acts 20:32-35; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15) - December 16, 2007
    We can discover the blessing of giving as we nurture a lifestyly of generosity grounded in our experience of God's grace.
    What Kind of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7; Matt. 10:34-36) - December 9, 2007
    Jesus comes as both the bearer of God's peaceand the disturber of the peace. Before God's peace can come, our false notions of peace have to go. Jesus disturbs the peace by exposing our superficial notions of the human condition, by confronting our narrow, exclusivist beliefs in God, and by shattering our materialistic view of worth.
    Preparing for Christ's Coming (Matthew 24:30-44) - December 2, 2007
    The "coming" of Christ may speak more to the present than the future. The Greek word "parousia" means "presence" and may refer more to a manifesting of the presence of Christ who is already here, than some future event. How do prepare ourselves for Christ's "coming"? How do we watch for the coming of the presence of Christ into our lives in new, transforming ways?
    Carefree Living (Matthew 6:25-34) - November 25, 2007
    The secular world relentless pursues a course of life that inevitably leads to worry and anxiety. Jesus invites us to step out of the rat race, to trust God with the cares of life, to make top priority God's new world of compassion and justice, and to invest in caring for others, and then watch our worries fade away.
    The Gift of Acceptance (Romans 15:1-13) - November 18, 2007
    If we can trust God's gift of acceptance we can break free from our guilt and fears, and be authentic persons before God. We too, will be able to accept others unconditionally, sharing with them God's love.
    The Triumph of Love (1 Cor. 13:8-13) - November 4, 2007
    Paul describes the coming fulfillment of God's kingdom as the coming "completeness." What does that mean? Love will be the reality that holds it all together and in which everything is gathered up in Christ and in God. But what is personal redemption about? What does it look like?
    Love Is a Matter of Character (1 Cor. 13:4-7) - October 21, 2007
    In this text Paul describes the character of God's love that he expects should permeate the church at Corinth. This is what redemption looks like and constitutes the heart of what the church is about.
    Love Is What Counts (1 Cor. 13:1-3) - October 14, 2007
    This sermon explores the primacy of love. God loves us without conditions, because we are his children. God wants our best--that we would realize our potential to be loving persons. God relates to us the way a loving parent relates to her children. If we are to experience the redemptive power of love we must be willing to see our faults and failures and admit our need.
    The Living Power of Hope (Romans 8:18-39) - September 30, 2007
    The Spirit of God gives us assurance of ultimate victory over death. The Spirit also gives us hope when we encounter the many "little deaths" and defeats of everyday life. This Spirit inspired hope is grounded in the unconditional love of God, from which no power can sever us.
    Grace That is Greater (Titus 2:11-14; Eph. 2:8) - September 23, 2007
    This sermon focuses on the inclusive, transforming power of God's grace. It addresses the questions: Is anyone ever beyond the reach of God's grace? What kind of "salvation" does grace bring? How does one access and appropriate grace?
    Applying the Scripture (Ex. 20:18-21; Hos. 11: 1-4, 7-9) - September 9, 2007
    Their is no single, conherent description of God in the Bible. Their are diverse and sometimes contrasting pictures of God. Applying the scripture involves engaging the scripture text and wrestling with its contrasting pictures of God. The key to a healthy reading of the Bible involves reading it throutgh the eyes of Jesus and with a prejudice of love.
    A Cry of Absence (Mark 16:1-8) - September 2, 2007
    Some people of faith experience God more in his absence than in his presence. This was true for the church responsible for Mark's Gospel. This harassed, persecuted church did not experience the immediate presence of Christ; nevertheless, their faith and hope sustained them in their discipleship to Christ empowering them to worship and serve others.
    Never Alone (John 14:15-21 - August 24, 2007
    Jesus promised his followers his continued presence. We may experience his presence when we are alone, but often his presence is revealed to us when we are gathered in a loving community of faith. The community of faith provides a safe place to acknowledge our failures and risk the changes that love requires.
    The Cure for Troubled Hearts (John 14:1-11) - August 19, 2004
    The central affirmation in John's Gospel is that Jesus uniquely embodied God; to be in the presence of Jesus was to be in the presence of God. Jesus reveals that God can be trusted. We all grapple with anxieties and worries. The key to overcoming a troubled heart is trust; trust lays hold of the truth and life of God that has come to us in Jesus.
    The Way of the Cross (Mark. 10:32-45) - August 12, 2007
    Too often the death of Jesus is emphsized to the complete neglect of his life. In Mark's Gospel the self-giving of Jesus unto death is the climax of a life of self-giving in service to others. Liberation from the need to secure and wield power is experienced, not be believing an atonement theory, but by following Jesus in the way of the cross.
    Rethinking Family Values (Mark 3:20-21, 31-35) - August 5, 2007
    This sermon considers one of Jesus' hard sayings on the family. How did Jesus understand family relationships in light of his passion for the kingdom of God? Was Jesus anti-family? Did he redefine family? Jesus seems to turn traditional family values on their heads.
    Learning How To Pray (Luke 11:1-13) - July 29, 2007
    This sermon explores the subject of prayer in the context of the model prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Asking only makes sense in the context of cooperation with God's kingdom purposes on earth. How different is the posture of prayer reflected in the prayer of Jabez that took American Christianity by storm.
    Being the Body of Christ (Romans 12:3-16) - July 15, 2007
    What does it mean to be a community of faith "in Christ?" We all have gifts to share and all are called to serve each other and our world. In this sermon Pastor Chuck explores the implications of belonging to one another in the body of Christ.
    Reflections of a New World (Gal. 6 12-16) - July 8, 2007
    Paul, in his letter to the churches of Galatia, talks about God's new world ushered in through Christ, but his reaction to teachers subverting hs teaching reflect more of the character of this evil age, than God's new creation. We all live in the tension of what we are meant to be and what we are.
    What Kind of Faith? (Luke 18:2-8) - June 24, 2007
    In the parable of the widow who pleads for justice we see what God cares about. We also learn that persistence is needed, in prayer, service, and spiritual growth, so that we can learn to share God's forgiveness, mercy, and justice in helping to bring God's kingdom on earth.
    A Father and His Two Sons (Luke 15:11-32) - June 17, 2007
    In this sermon the hearer is challenged to see one's self as the father in the story that Jesus tells about a father and his two sons. The focus is on the unconditional love and forgiveness of God and the implications this has for lasting change.
    Awakenings (John 3:1-8) - June 10, 2007
    Jesus responds to Nicodemus' surface understanding by challenging what he thought he knew. Perhaps we need to read this biblical text in a way that challenges what we think we know. My contention is that we do not just need to be born again, but again and again and again.
    Interpreting the Signs (Matt. 16:1-12) - June 3, 2007
    There are no indisputable proofs to confirm our faith in God's goodness and grace; but there are "signs" if we have eyes to see.
    Having Ears to Hear (Mark 4:1-20) - May 27, 2007
    In the parable of the sower and the soil, the different types of soil represents different levels of receptivity to God's word. The challenge is to see ourselves in the story, rather than categorize or label others by the different types of soil.
    Desperate Faith (Mark 5:21-42) - May 20, 2007
    Faith is a matter of trust, not a matter of getting our doctrine correct. It is sometimes born in desperation, and desperation sometimes shatters a shallow faith, making possible a faith with more subtance.
    The Compassion of God (Mark 6:30-34) - May 13, 2007
    God is like a compassionate parent who loves, cares, and nurtures his or her children. We need both feminine as well as masculine imagery to think and speak about God.
    "What Is God Like?" (Luke 4:16-30) - May 6, 2007
    Jesus enrages his friends and neigbhors in Nazareth by his interpreation and understanding of God.
    "The Gospel of Jesus" (Mark 1:14-20) - April 29, 2007
    Jesus embodied and proclaimed the good news of God's kingdom on earth. He called on people to repent and trust the message. He called disciples to learn from him how to live in God's world.
    Bread for the Journey (Deut. 8:1-20) - April 22, 2007
    Every wilderness experience is a test, but certainly not every wilderness experience originates with God. God supplies real substance to sustain us on the journey through the wilderness - the word of God. But what is the word of God? Is it scripture? Or is it more than scripture?
    Easter Faith Includes Good Friday (1 Corinthians 15:12-28; Luke 24:13-35) - April 8, 2007
    The resurrection of Christ must not be made to overshadow the crucifixion of Christ. The church is called to embody both.
    A Thief in Paradise (Luke 24:23-49) - April 1, 2007
    This sermon considers the radical grace given to the dying thief as normative for life in God's kingdom and discusses the confidence Christ gives us in the face of death.
    Getting Rid of the Good Stuff (Phil. 3:4b-14) - March 25, 2007
    In his letter to the Philippians Paul says that he is ready to give up all the things he once considered his valuable in order to know Christ and the righteousness that comes through faith in and obedience to Christ. Will any of us take Christ that seriously?
    Chancing One's Arm (2 Corinthians 5:14-21) - March 18, 2007
    God becomes vulnerable in acting through Christ to reconcile us to himself. God forgives clearing the way and then gives to us the ministry and message of reconciliation.
    Life is Short - Make the Best of It! (Luke 13:1-9) - March 11, 2007
    Jesus suggests that tragedies happen for no apparent reason; there are questions that have no answers. God is not responsible for them. However, every crisis teaches us that life is short and provides an opportunity for us to change.
    God's Motherly Love (Luke 13:31-35) - March 4, 2007
    Jesus reflects Gods motherly compassion in his longing to gather the lost and scattered people of Jerusalem under his wing. What keeps us from being gathered in by God's motherly love and compassion?
    Confronting Temptation (Luke 4:1-13) - February 25, 2007
    Jesus was forced to ask from the beginning, "How will I go about my ministry?" We face the same struggles. Why do we do what we do? Jesus' temptation in the wilderness confronts each of us with the need to reflect on the motives and intentions of our heart.
    The Difference Faith Makes (Or Not) (John 2:23-3:15) - February 18, 2007
    John says that many believed in the name of Jesus, but Jesus did not entrust himself to them, because he knew what was in them. What kind of faith is this? What kind of faith makes a difference?
    Life Worth Celebrating (John 2:1-11) - February 11, 2007
    The transformation of the water into wine at the wedding in Cana is symbolical of the kind of life that is available to each of us in Jesus Christ.
    Redemptive Suffering (Philippians 3:4b-11) - January 29, 2007
    Most of us deal with evil and suffering in unhealthy ways. Jesus shows us how to bear it and transform it, rather than transmitting it to others.
    Come as You Are (Mark 2:13-17) - January 21, 2007
    Christ invites us to come as we are in order to discover whose we are and to become what we are meant to be.
    The Jesus Creed (Mark 12:28-34) - January 14, 2007
    The heart of true religion is to love God with your being and to love your neighbor as yourself.
  • 2006
    A New Spirit for a New Day (Isaiah 65:17-25; Galatians 6:14-15) - December 31, 2006
    The early Christians interpreted the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in light of the belief of two ages - the age of sin and death to be superseded by the age of peace and righteousness. With Christ the new age began and now it is a question of which age will shape our lives.
    Preparing for a Birth, (Christmas Eve Service) (Luke 2:1-20) - December 24, 2006
    Just as the Spirit came upon Mary to conceive in her that holy child, so the Spirit can come upon us to conceive in us the transforming love of God.
    Christmas Joy (Fourth Sunday of Advent) (Matthew 1:18-24; 2:13-18) - December 24, 2006
    The joy that Christ brings is deeper than the sorrows of life. It is grounded in the hope of God's kingdom and the love of God that will one day prevail.
    The Mystery of Christmas (Third Sunday of Advent) (1 Tim. 3:16; 1 John 4:9) - December 17, 2006
    The revelation of God's self in the person of Jesus of Nazareth is full of mystery. And while we cannot comprehend the incarnation with our intellect, we can experience it in our heart.
    The Peace of God (Second Sunday of Advent) (Luke 1.76-79; 2:8-14; Isaiah. 11:6-9; 60:17-19) - December 10, 2006
    Many Christians think of God's peace almost exclusively in personal terms and think of God's redemption as mainly going to heaven. God's peace is a major element of God's kingdom which is envisioned as coming on this earth. We who are followers of Christ have a major role to play in its realization.
    Like a Thief in the Night (First Sunday of Advent) (Matt. 24:32-34, 36, 42-44; 28:16-20) - December 3, 2006
    The early church expected Christ to come back in their lifetime and now it is two thousand years later. What are we to make of it? What is advent hope?
    Hearing God's Voice (1 Samuel 3:1-18) - November 26, 2006
    God speaks to us in many different ways and through various means; the pressing question for believers is - Are we listening?
    Is Faith Enough? (Luke 17:11-19) - November 19, 2006
    Jesus commends a faith that erupts in spontaneous gratitude. What will it take for us to approach life in a way that understands it is all sheer grace?
    God's Dream for All of Us (Romans 8:28-39) - November 12, 2006
    Can we believe that God has our ultimate good in mind in the midst of all the experiences of life? Can we trust that nothing will ever sever us from God's Love? Living by faith in God's dream for our lives dispels fear and enables us live a prayerful life of faith in God and service to others.
    The Wilderness Way (Mark 1:12-13) - November 5, 2006
    Desert experiences are experiences of testing that can also be experiences of renewal. In Jesus' conflict with evil he receives divine help in subduing the demonic. However, the way of Jesus is not the way of conquering power, but humble service. Jesus offers an alternative way to overcome evil - redeem it.
    Christian Hospitality (Romans 12:13-16; Luke 15:16-24) - October 29, 2006
    The gift of hospitality extends God's unconditional love and acceptance and offers people a safe place to grow and become what God wants them to be, not what we want them to be.
    What Is Your Business? (Mark 1:9-11) - October 22, 2006
    Jesus' mission was launched following his baptism where he heard the Voice of God telling him that he was God's Son, beloved and chosen for a special work. We will discover our work when we discover our identity as the daughters and sons of God.
    A Different Kind of Authority (Mark 2:1-12) - October 9, 2006
    The scribes were wrong to think that the authority to forgive sin was an authority that only God possessed; it's an authority granted to each one us. As the men in the gospel story brought their friend to Jesus so might we; but not in the way that is traditionally taught. This sermon presents a kind of evangelism that is different than many traditional approaches.
    Growing Through Failure (Mark 14:66-72) - October 1, 2006
    The sermon looks at Peter's collapse as a true portrayal of the human condition. We can learn from Peter's failure and grow through our own.
    Our Life Together (Romans 12:3-13) - September 24, 2006
    This sermon explores what it means to live in community as the people of God. It is our diversity in community that communicates to the world God's love.
    The Paradox of the Gospel: Power in Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:1-10) - September 18, 2006
    Paul experienced the reality of the gospel he proclaimed through his "thorn in the flesh." Though forced to defend his ministry and message, his real boast is in his weaknesses, because here God's power is revealed. What we learn from Paul is that God's grace is adequate for our need; God's strength is made known in and through our weakness.
    Perfected in Love (1 John 4:4:12; 2:28-3:3) - September 10, 2006
    This sermon explores the reality of God's unconditional love and it's implications for telling us who we are, namely, that we are God's children and empowering us to live who we are by engaging in the acts and deeds of love.
    Enduring Faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) - September 3, 2006
    This sermon draws from the exhortation in the Letter to the Hebrews to keep one's focus on Jesus, and particularly his faithful endurance of the cross as a major motivation not to opt out of the race (the Christian life and the faith community) but to be faithful to Christ and Christ's cause in the world.
    Finding Joy in Life (John 15:9-11; Phil. 4:4-6; 2:1-4) - August 26, 2006
    The joy that characterized the life of Christ and that Paul commands ("Rejoice in the Lord always) is not equivalent to the modern pursuit of happiness; it is not based upon circumstances but on a relationship with God that leads to a life of thankfulness, love, and service.
    Finding Meaning in Life (Selected passages in Ecclesiastes) - August 20, 2006
    The book of Ecclesiastes is a protest against the wisdom theology that was flourishing in ancient Israel as the solution to all problems. And while "all is meaningless" is a constant refrain, the book nevertheless points us toward a life of gratitude offering clues as to the real meaning of life.
    When Life Seems Too Big (1 Kings 19:1-18) - August 13, 2006
    Drawing from the story of Elijah this sermon challenges us to keep trusting God even when God seems distant and we feel alone.
    "The Danger of Not Being a Missionary" (Jonah 3:10-4:3) - July 23, 2006
    The story of Jonah is about God acting in love to redeem a lost people, and a prophet angry at God because God saved them.
    "When Boasting is a Good Thing" (Romans 5:1-11) - July 16, 2006
    In Romans 5:1-11 Paul boasts in God's redeeming work through Christ. We can boast in sufferings that help us to grow; we can boast in hope of sharing God's glory, and we can boast in the assurance of God's love that guarantees our ultimate salvation.
    "Learning to Sing a Cappella" (Habakkuk 3:16-19) - July 9, 2006
    Can we sing the song of faith unaccompanied by the music? Habakkuk challenges us to maintain our relationship with God regardless of the circumstances of our lives.
    "Freedom for All" (Luke 4:14-30; Galatians 3:16, 26-29) - July 2, 2006
    Basic to the principle of religious liberty is its inclusiveness; we cannot fully rejoice in our freedom until everyone else has their freedom too.
    "Responding to the Gospel" (Romans 4:18-25) - June 25, 2006
    This is a sermon that delves into the nature of faith as the means of appropriating the gospel of Christ.
    "How to Read Your Bible" (Matthew 1:18-25) - June 18, 2006
    Did Jesus learn something about reading his Bible from his father, Joseph? What is the key to understanding scripture? This sermon presents a fundamental component in making sense of the Bible.
    "Recovering a Lost Language" (Romans 3:9, 21-24) - June 11, 2006
    This sermon expounds what Paul means by sin as a dominating power and as a state of alienation from God and others.
    "Abundant Living" (Graduation Sunday) (John 10:10b) - June 4, 2006
    In this sermon Pastor Chuck offers several suggestions based on the life of Jesus about living an abundant life.
    "Making Things Right" (Romans 1:16-17) - May 28, 2006
    Here Pastor Chuck tackles Paul's understanding of the righteousness of God (a dominant theme in Paul's understanding of the gospel) and develops it as God's faithfulness to God's covenant with humanity in restoring persons to a right relationship with God, with each other, and all creation.
    "Loved and Chosen" (Romans 1:1-7) - May 21, 2006
    This is a sermon about discovering and realizing God's unconditional love; it's a matter of claiming what has already been given.