Sermons
Listen to or read Deacon Nancy Crawford’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More”
The first of the two recommended readings from the Old Testament is today’s reading of Jeremiah’s call from God. And while my classmate, Tracey and I, at our ordination to be deacons, would have preferred a Scripture reading of a young girl answering God’s call, we found Jeremiah’s humble reluctancy fitting to our calls to ordained ministry, where we, too, each felt like an unprepared child.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the third Sunday after Epiphany by clicking “read more.”
Our first reading today comes from the Book of Nehemiah. We do not hear much from the Book of Nehemiah in the three year Sunday lectionary. I'm pretty sure, although I did not double check this, that this is the only Sunday we get a reading from Nehemiah in the lectionary. I could be wrong about that, but I'm not far off. This is a very rare book for us to read.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the Second Sunday after Epiphany by clicking “Read More.”
In today's reading, the sign at the wedding at Cana of Galilee, by lifting up the miracle that allows the party to continue, we see that God cares about our joy, about pleasure, about fun. All too often we think about religion as serious business. It is, but one of the things that God seriously cares about is joy.
I’ve learned the names of thousands of students over my 22 years of teaching. There’s something very powerful about being able to call someone by their name, to recognize them. As a teacher, this was crucial, especially to know who to “call out” for behavior that was not appropriate, to know who was or wasn’t present or sitting in their assigned seat, to be able to talk to colleagues about students who needed help, to greet students by name in the halls, at lunch, at athletics, performances, or other events. To know someone’s name is a powerful thing, to recognize them, to see them and to acknowledge them.
Listen to or read Ryan’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More.”
We are at the threshold of a new year, at the beginning of something new. We also sense that we are at the threshold of a new world. It’s not just a new year, it’s a new era. And we are filled with trepidation.
The story of the epiphany is a threshold story. King Herod hears that the wise ones from the East have seen a new star rising, the star of the Messiah. Herod hears this and he is frightened, he is greatly disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him. And we know from history, that when Herod was disturbed, he was dangerous. He killed all the innocents in an attempt to kill Jesus.
Listen to or read Christine’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More.”
In Jesus, we learn what God is thinking. As we remember Jesus's story, we remember that God cares about justice, and God cares about mercy and compassion, and God cares about grace. We learned that God isn't just interested with the rich and the powerful, but God is close to those that we sinfully dispose of and push to the margins. God cares about them and God gets close to them.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the Sunday after Christmas by clicking “Read More.”
Merry Christmas! Our Advent journey has come to its end. We have arrived in Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph to welcome the birth of their son Jesus. Like the Shepherds, we have come to the manger to see this thing that has taken place. Whatever preparations we need to get done during Advent in order to celebrate Christmas--time's up. It's here. What has been done has been done, what has not been done has not been done. It's time to let it all go and simply savor this moment.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for Christmas Eve 2021 by clicking “Read More.”
