Recent Sermons

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25th, 2022

The church did not offer a worship service this Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25th).

Christmas Eve Service: Grace in the Ordinary

Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

Saturday, December 24th, 2022 @ 5:00 PM

Rev. Linda Goeddel

The good news of Christmas is that a Savior who was born in stable is likely to show up for you in the least likely places at the most unexpected times.

 

Service Bulletin: December 24, 2022 @ 5:00PM
Poinsettia Insert: December 24, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 123 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (Carol)
Hymn 121 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (St. Louis)
Hymn 122 “Silent Night, Holy Night!” (Stille Nacht)

Christmas Memories & Carols

Meditation: Immanuel: The Ministry of Presence

Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-23

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Dr. Paul J Kirbas

Both our Old Testament passage and our New Testament passage give the promise of “Immanuel”. What does this promise mean, and how can we continue to offer this gift to the world?

 

Service Bulletin: December 18, 2022

 

Hymns and Music:
Hymn 88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (Veni Emmanuel)
Christmas Memories and Carols Insert

Christmas Cantata

Meditation: The Leap for Joy

Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:46-55

Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Dr. Paul J Kirbas

We have certainly heard a lot of news in the last years about the force of contagion. Although it is mostly a cautionary tale, there is something else that is contagious, and it is one of the most positive forces in the world.

 

Service Bulletin: December 11, 2022

 

Hymns and Music:
Hymn 611 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (Hymn to Joy)
Christmas Cantata Insert

The Pygmalion Passages

Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:39-45

Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Dr. Paul J Kirbas

The season of Advent is filled with expectation. Both our Old Testament passage and our New Testament passage lift up this theme. What difference does expectation make? What power does it hold?

 

Service Bulletin: December 4, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 93 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” (Truro)
Hymn 82 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (Hyfrydol)
Hymn 104 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” (Valet Will Ich Dir Geben)

Memorial Service for Cynthia J. VanBrunt

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 : 11:00 AM

Rev. Linda Goeddel

 

Memorial Service Bulletin
Memorial Service Insert

 

Hymns:
Hymn #649 “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound” (Amazing Grace)
Hymn #69 “Here I Am, Lord” (Here I Am (Schutte))

Jesus, the Practical Realist

James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:25-32

First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Andy Kirkpatrick

In his teachings, Jesus says that God is a peacemaker, and since we are God’s sons and daughters, we are peacemakers too, not warmakers. He says that God practices universal nonviolent love, and since we are the sons and daughters of the God of universal nonviolent love, we practice universal nonviolent love, too. There are no exceptions, no justifications for warfare, and no “just war theory.”

 

Service Bulletin: November 27, 2022

 

Music & Hymns:
Prelude: “Russians” (Sting)
Hymn 276 “Sing a New Song unto the Lord” (Sing a New Song – Daniel L. Schutte)
“(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding” (Nick Lowe)
Hymn 757 “Today We All Are Called to be Disciples” (Kingsfold)

Priest, Prophet and King

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79

Christ the King Sunday, November 20, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Sue Smith

On this Christ the King Sunday, we will explore the three-fold Christian vocation of priest, prophet and political, and how we might live these out in our congregational setting.

 

Service Bulletin: November 20, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 347 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (Picardy)
Hymn 82 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (Hyfrydol)
Hymn 134 “Joy to the World” (Antioch)

Endings and Beginnings

Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 21:5-19

Sunday, November 13, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Linda Goeddel

The world is always ending, but God is always building it back up and remains steadfast in the midst of the changes.

 

Service Bulletin: November 13, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 402 “How Lovely, Lord” (Merle’s Tune)
Hymn 815 “Give to the Winds Thy Fears” (Festal Song)
Hymn 546 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” (Sicilian Mariners)

Asking Better Questions

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; Luke 20:27-38

Communion Sunday, November 6, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Linda Goeddel

Sometimes we need to ask different questions to learn what God wants us to know.

 

Service Bulletin: November 6, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 35 “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” (Lobe Den Herren)
Hymn 707 “Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord” (Hall)
Hymn 716 “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” (Beach Spring)

Have Faith

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Luke 19:1-10

Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Yes, much is not right with the world, but if we learn to live by faith, joy will break through.

 

Service Bulletin: October 30, 2022
Litany of Closure Insert

 

Hymns:
Hymn 275 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Ein’ Feste Burg)
Hymn 721 “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore” (Pescador de Hombres)

When Down Becomes Up

Joel 2:23-32; Luke 18:9-14

Sunday, October 23, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

In biblical logic, exile is followed by restoration, humiliation by exaltation. Take heart!

 

Service Bulletin: October 23, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 4 “Holy God, We Praise Your Name” (Slane)
“Fix You” by Martin, Buckland, Berryman & Champion (Coldplay)

Fierce Faith

Genesis 32:22-31; Luke 18:1-8

Sunday, October 16, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Don’t give up on life of the soul. Get in there and fight for it. The fight will bear fruit.

 

Service Bulletin: October 16, 2022
Baptism Insert: Van Philip Shaheen

 

Hymns:
Hymn 450 “Be Thou My Vision” (Slane)
“Easy to Be Hard” by McDermot, Ragni & Rado

Knowing God

2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19

Sunday, October 9, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The human journey is so troubled if we seek to make ourselves our own god. A true knowledge of God changes everything.

 

Service Bulletin: October 9, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 630 “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Crusaders’ Hymn)
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon

In Service of Life

Psalm 137; Luke 17:5-10

Communion Sunday, October 2, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Jesus’ teaching does not land well on our privileged ears. Yet he knew that we only find life when we see ourselves as servants of life.

 

Service Bulletin: October 2, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 401 “Here in This Place” (Gather Us In)
“(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long” by James Pankow (Chicago)

The Easy Trap

Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Luke 16:19-31

Sunday, September 25, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The trap of the lure of wealth and ease is heart disease – hardness of heart. Doctor Jesus offers the cure – compassion.

 

Service Bulletin: September 25, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 339 “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (Lift Every Voice)
“Love and Mercy” by Brian Wilson

Bringing Your Soul to Work

Amos 8:4-7; Luke 16:1-13

Sunday, September 18, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Congregational meeting immediately following service

Rev. John W. Monroe III

In perhaps his most enigmatic parable, Jesus recognizes the mixed motives involved in making our way in the world. For those on a spiritual journey, the call is to learn how to bring our soul into all our dealings.

 

Service Bulletin: September 18, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 20 “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (Royal Oak)
“Love Is the Answer” by Todd Rundgren

Blessed Grace

1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

Sunday, September 11, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Only those who see the futility of the ego’s program for happiness discover the joy of the experience of grace.

 

Service Bulletin: September 11, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 353 “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” (Solid Rock)
“Higher Love” by Steve Winwood

Life’s True Purpose

Luke 14:25-33

Communion Sunday, September 4, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Most of us do not see the true purpose of our lives, which is to pour out our lives, ourselves in love, as God does.

 

Service Bulletin: September 4, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 307 “God of Grace and God of Glory” (Cwm Rhondda)
“The Heart of the Matter” by Mike Campbell, Don Henley, J. D. Souther

Wisdom Jesus

Proverbs 25:6-7; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sunday, August 28, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Wisdom is paradoxical. It knows that as one lets go of self, something much more valuable will be discovered.

 

Service Bulletin: August 28, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 475 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (Nettleton)
“Sound of Silence” by Paul Simon

Note: There was a problem with the audio portion of the recorded service, so we are unable to provide a link to this week’s sermon.

Removing the Weight of Self

Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 13:10-17

Sunday, August 21, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The weight of self-preoccupation keeps us from experiencing the richness of true life which is available to us. In the insight of Meister Eckhart we can experience addition by subtraction – the subtraction of self-obsession.

 

Service Bulletin: August 21, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 14 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
“Nowhere Man” by Lennon/McCartney

Inner Flame

Jeremiah 23:23-29; Luke 12:49-56

Sunday, August 14, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Jeremiah makes a distinction between those who prophesy the deceit of their own hearts and those who speak God’s word. God’s word is like a fire, burning away the attachment to narrative self, so that something of God may come through.

 

Service Bulletin: August 14, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 192 “Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining”
Hymn 721 “These Are the Days” by Van Morrison

Inner Wealth

Luke 12:32-40

Communion Sunday, August 7, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

How valuable would it be to discover an inner capacity enabling one to experience connection to Source in each moment? How much effort would one exert for such a treasure?

 

Service Bulletin: August 7, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 664 “Morning Has Broken”
Hymn 721 “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield

Note: There was a problem with the audio portion of the recorded service, so we are unable to provide a link to this week’s sermon.

True Treasure

Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

Sunday, July 31, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

We are seduced by low-hanging fruit, material wealth. The pursuit of such produces some rotten fruit. Looking for treasure leads to a new self.

 

Service Bulletin: July 31, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 450 “Be Thou My Vision”
Hymn 721 “Desperado” by Glen Frey and Don Henley of the Eagles

Persistent Seekers

Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13

Sunday, July 24, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

There is much more to our lives than meets the eye. Hints of the eternal echo within. Jesus encourages us to become persistent seekers for this unnamable reality.

 

Service Bulletin: July 24, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 175 “Seek Ye First”
Hymn 721 “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”

Learning What Is Ours to Do

Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42

Sunday, July 17, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Our vision is limited to our immediate responsibilities, and we miss the spiritual dimension, which is central, foundational, and majestic. If we can begin to see the spiritual, not only may we become less frantic, but also more clear about what is truly our to do.

 

Service Bulletin: July 17, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 37 “Let All Things Now Living”
Popular Hymn “Two of Us” (Lennon, McCartney)

The Plumb Line

Amos 7: 7-17; Luke 10:25-37

Sunday, July 10, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. David Bowman

Where does God’s plumb line fall today? Looking at the prophetic words of Amos and the teachings of Jesus, we’ll explore the call justice set before us as people of faith.

 

Service Bulletin: July 10, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 407 “Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers”
Popular Hymn “What the World Needs Now Is Love” (Bacharach, David)

Where is God’s Peace?

Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20

Communion Sunday, July 3, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. David Bowman

Looking at Jesus’ charge as he sent out the 70 disciples, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’”, we’ll reflect on what  peace means.   What comes to mind when you think of peace? What does it look like? What shape does it take? Peace does not begin with our behaviors toward each other but with our way of being toward each other, our seeing each other as human beings created in the image and likeness of God.

 

Service Bulletin: July 3, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 409 “God Is Here!”
Hymn 753 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Note: There was a problem with the audio portion of the recorded service, so we are unable to provide a link to this week’s sermon.

Jesus’ Definition of Freedom

Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

Sunday, June 26, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Both readings make clear that Jesus’ definition o freedom is freedom from self-identification and freedom for sharing in the love of God.

 

Service Bulletin: June 26, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 14 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
“(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long” (James Pankow of Chicago)

Defined by Love

Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39

Sunday, June 19, 2022 @ 9:15 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

In Galatians, we are told that we are God’s children. In Luke, we read of a man whom Jesus heals from his possession by the identities and energies of the culture. We are not defined by any human culture. We are defined by God’s love for us.

 

Service Bulletin: June 19, 2022
Ordination and Installation Insert: June 19, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 22 “God of the Sparrow”
“Both Sides, Now” (Joni Mitchell)

Getting in the Flow

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; John 16:12-15

Trinity Sunday, June 12, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Church Picnic immediately following service

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The Greek word for God comes from another word for flow. God is flow. The doctrine of the Trinity helps us to stop thinking about God as an object, and to think of God as a verb, as a flow of creativity and healing in which we participate.

 

Service Bulletin: June 12, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 1 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!”
“Higher Love” (Winwood, Jennings)

Witness

Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21

Pentecost & Communion Sunday, June 5, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Congregational Meeting immediately following service

Rev. Sue Smith

The scriptures today tell the stories of the Tower of Babel and Pentecost. Both stories have a focus of differing languages. What is God’s purpose? Diversity or confusion? How do we respond?

 

Service Bulletin: June 5, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 280 “Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us”
“Come Bear Witness” (Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky)
Hymn 288 “Spirit of the Living God”

Invincible

Matthew 20:25-28; Philippians 2:2-8

Sunday, May 29, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Andy Kirkpatrick

What is something that we directly control that keeps us from living the Word of God?? Grudges. All of us have either been a victim or a perpetrator of their destructive power throughout our lives, and yet we continue to practice this behavior. What purpose do grudges actually serve? Join us as we look at the unintended consequences of this very human phenomenon through the teachings of Jesus.

 

Service Bulletin: May 29, 2022

 

Hymns and Music:
“Invincible” by Watt, Vedder & Klinghoffer
Hymn 438 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”
“Reckless Love” by Culver, Asbury & Jackson
“In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel
“Forget and Not Slow Down” by Matthew Theissen

Our Far Aim

Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29

Sunday, May 22, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

These passages give us a glimpse of where our evolutionary journey is headed, ultimately. Our job is to keep this ultimate aim in mind as we try to live into this aim more fully.

 

Service Bulletin: May 22, 2022
Pennell Baptism Insert: May 22, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 623 “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”
“Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Noah Paul Stookey

The Renewal of Earth

Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

Sunday, May 15, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

God is making all thinks new, including the human heart. A new era is dawning, awaiting new human consciousness to enable it to take root.

 

Service Bulletin: May 15, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 100 “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”
“Love Is the Answer” by Todd Rundgren (covered by England Dan and John Ford Coley)

Jesus’ Mantle

Acts 9:36-43; John 10:22-30

Sunday, May 8, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Peter begins to take on the mantle of Jesus, to perform the same kind of miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus’ work is being passed on. In us too?

 

Service Bulletin: May 8, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 307 “God of Grace and God of Glory”
Hymn 726 “Will You Come and Follow Me”

Nothing Is Wasted

John 21:1-19

Communion Sunday, May 1, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

In his third resurrection appearance, Jesus restores Peter’s inner woundedness. Nothing is wasted in the spiritual life, even our failures.

 

Service Bulletin: May 1, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 250 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” (Click the “Full Text” tab)
Hymn 801 “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want” (Click the “Full Text” tab)

Getting Used to Resurrection

Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

Sunday, April 24, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The Resurrection so explodes our rational minds, that we don’t know what to do with it. In various ways, we hold onto the old and resist the implications of the new.

 

Service Bulletin: April 24, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn 236 “The Strife Is O’er” (Click the “Full Text” tab)
Hymn 233 “The Day of Resurrection!” (Click the “Full Text” tab)

Easter Sunday Service : R.I.P., Death

1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24:1-12

Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The human lineage has lived under the sway of death since Adam, since the beginning. Christ has ushered in a new era of resurrection and with it a new trajectory to the human story.

 

Easter Sunday Service Bulletin: April 17, 2022
Easter Sunday Service Lilies Insert: April 17, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #232 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” (Click the “Full Text” tab)
Hymn #238 “Thine Is the Glory” (Click the “Full Text” tab)

Note: There was a problem with the audio portion of the recorded service, so we are unable to provide a link to this week’s sermon.

Good Friday Service

Friday, April 15, 2022 @ 12:00 PM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

 

Good Friday Service Bulletin: April 15, 2022

Maundy Thursday Service (In person only)

Thursday, April 14, 2022 @ 7:30 PM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

 

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service Bulletin: April 14, 2022
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service Insert: April 14, 2022

Stones’ Concert

Luke 19:28-40; Philippians 2:5-11

Palm/Passion Sunday, April 10, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The Pharisees were into crowd control as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Jesus assured them that if the crowd was made quiet, a concert from stones would break forth. Sometimes, it appears, God is in favor of noise.

 

Palm/Passion Sunday Service Bulletin: April 10, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #196 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (Click the “Full Text” tab)
Hymn #203 “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” (Click the “Full Text” tab)

Love’s Math

John 12:1-8

Sunday, April 3, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

As Mary shows, love is extravagant and doesn’t fit well into spreadsheets. How does love’s extravagance inform our discipleship?

 

Service Bulletin: March 27, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #157 “I Danced in the Morning” (Click the “Full Text” tab)
Popular Hymn: “Over the Rainbow” by Arlen, Harburg & (version by Kamakawiwoʻole)

Our Part in God’s Work

2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sunday, March 27, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Jesus and Paul make clear that the work of God is for reconciliation of all things and people. Are we to have a hand in this work? How are we doing?

 

Service Bulletin: March 27, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #442 “Just as I Am, without One Plea” (Click the “Full Text” tab)
Popular Hymn: “The Heart of the Matter” by Campbell, Henley & Souther

What Does God Expect?

Isaiah 55:1-9; Luke 13:1-9

Sunday, March 20, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

As Jesus looked around, he did not see the kind of fruit produced in people’s lives that he expected. The religion of his day wasn’t transforming hearts. What kind of fruit is God expecting from us?

 

Service Bulletin: March 20, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #721 “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”
Popular Hymn: “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings

Mindset

Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

Sunday, March 13, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Even for people of faith there is a temptation to live by the mindset of the world. Our call is to transcend such an orientation and to develop a capacity to live with a very different mindset.

 

Service Bulletin: March 13, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #215 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
Popular Hymn: “Both Sides, Now” by Joni Mitchell

Addition by Subtraction

Luke 4:1-13

Sunday, March 6, 2022 @ 9:45 AM (Communion)

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Jesus, like all humans, did battle with the self and its desire for preservation. He had the courage to let self go in order to find God within. Addition by subtraction.

 

Service Bulletin: March 6, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #175 “Seek Ye First”
Popular Hymn: “One Tin Soldier” by Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter

Memorial Service for Judith Hoyt Dorn

Saturday, March 5th, 2021 : 1:00 PM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

 

Memorial Service Bulletin

 

Hymns:
Hymn #69 “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”” by Daniel Shutte
Hymn #157 “I Danced in the Morning”” American Shaker melody, text by Sidney Carter

Ash Wednesday : The Journey with Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6,16-20

Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022 @ 7:30 PM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

 

Service Bulletin: March 2, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #166 “Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days”
Hymn #169: “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”

The Future of Humanity

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36

Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday, February 27, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Both passages speak of a transformed humanity, marked by a quality of transparency, of splendor. Our destiny is to see through the density of our material existence into the spiritual dimensions which shine through for those with eyes to see.

 

Service Bulletin: February 27, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #192 “Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining” by Graham Kendrick
Popular Hymn: “Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison

Lord, Have Mercy

Genesis 45:3-11,15; Luke 6:27-38

Sunday, February 20, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

We are called to be merciful, as God is merciful, who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. By practicing mercy, we manifest the energy of God in the world.

 

Service Bulletin: February 20, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #649: “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
Popular Hymn: “The Heart of the Matter” by Campbell, Henley, & Souther

Forgotten Sermons

Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 6:17-26

Sunday, February 13, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Not all sermons are remembered. Some, perhaps, we would rather forget. Are these two included in our list of forgotten sermons?

 

Service Bulletin: February 13, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #339: “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Popular Hymn: “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan

When God Calls

Isaiah 6:1-8; Luke 5:1-11

Sunday, February 6, 2022 @ 9:45 AM (Communion)

Rev. John W. Monroe III

The call of God upon us does not make us comfortable. It overwhelms us and leads us to lives of service.

 

Service Bulletin: February 6, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #69: “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”
Popular Hymn: “Wonder” by Natalie Merchant

What Hallmark Doesn’t Know about Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30

Sunday, January 30, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Both passages show the fierceness of love. Love doesn’t serve the self, it serves others. It doesn’t always make us feel happy.

 

Service Bulletin: January 30, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #215: “What Wondrous Love Is This”
Music: “Love Is the Answer” by Todd Rundgren

Unitive Seeing

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21

Sunday, January 23, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Jesus and Paul were unitive thinkers. Jesus’ sermon announced the inclusion of all, and Paul’s image of the body transcends our human tendency to see separation.

 

Service Bulletin: January 23, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #451: “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
Popular Hymn: “One” by U2 (Hewson, Clayton, Mullen, Evans)

Ordinary Abundance

John 2:1-11

Sunday, January 16, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. Linda Goeddel

We may feel as if we don’t have anything special to offer the world, but the good news is that Jesus uses whatever we offer to bless the world, so offer what you can.

 

Service Bulletin: January 16, 2022

 

Hymns:
Hymn #14: “For the Beauty of the Earth”
Hymn #442: “Just as I Am, without One Plea” (Click the “Full Text” tab)

Knowing Who You Are

Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 9, 2022 @ 9:45 AM

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Life changes if and when we know who we truly are – God’s beloved.

 

Service Bulletin: January 9, 2022

 

Hymn:
Down to the River to Pray” by American Folk Song (as sung by Alison Krauss)

Before Time Began

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 : 9:45 AM (Communion)

Rev. John W. Monroe III

Paul’s vision of our being chosen by God, before the foundation of the world, provides the true context for our lives. What might happen in the new year if we could apprehend this context?

 

Service Bulletin: January 2, 2022

 

Hymn:
Longer” by Dan Fogelberg