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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and 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
Music and Hymns:
“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?
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.
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
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
Hymn Inserts:
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
Music: “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
Music: “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg