Beginning February 28, the sanctuary will be open for limited in-person worship in addition to our online worship. Remember, our protocols (click here) are for limited numbers and masks and social distancing.
New Mind and Heart
1 John 3:1-7 and Luke 24:36b-48
Sunday, April 18th, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
The risen Christ gives his followers their marching orders – to preach repentance, which means receiving a new and higher mind and heart. John spells out that transformation into Christlikeness is what the Christian journey is about.
The Meaning of Love
1 John 3:16-24 and John 10:11-18
Sunday, April 25th, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
There passages are simple and direct, showing how Jesus has forever raised the bar for what it means for us to be human and loving. It means imitating Christ’s example.
Love and Fear
1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8
Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
John makes Christ’s love the measure of human life. We are to be so connected to Christ, who is love, that Christ’s nature becomes our nature. Once Christ’s love nature embeds in us, fear is overcome.
Chosen for What
Acts 10:44-48 and John 15:9-17
Sunday, May 9th, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
In Jesus’ farewell discourse, he tells his followers that he chose them, they did not choose him. Acts records how the Holy Spirit chose to fall upon a Gentile audience before they became baptized and followers. If we are chosen by God, what are we chosen to do and become? John gives us many clues.
Preparing for Change
Acts 1:15:17 and John 17:6-19
Sunday, May 16th, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
Both texts are anticipating change and preparing for it. We too have lived through a year of dramatic change and are preparing for what is emerging. How might these texts guide us in our preparations?
Spirit People
Acts 2:1-21 and Romans 8:22-27
Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
What God is up to in the human experiment is cosmic in scope. It is the personalization of the universe, the manifestation of God’s heart and Spirit in the creation through us. The human future, in God, is for us to become Spirit people.
God is a Verb
Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17
Sunday, May 30th, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
The Trinity witnesses to God’s transcendent mystery and to God’s dynamic nature and its implications for us. An authentic encounter with God changes our lives.
Allowing God
Mark 3:20-35
Sunday, June 6th, 2021 : 9:45 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
Jesus’ call from God took him beyond the allowable scripts written for him by family and culture. How hard it is to break out of the scripts given to us by others. How willing are we to allow God to write the scripts for us and others?
Divine Competence
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 and Mark 4:26-34
Sunday, June 13th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
The story of the choosing of David and the Parables of Jesus assure us that God is at work in ways we do not see. God’s competence can give us confidence to trust.
Don’t Try This at Home
1 Samuel 17:32-49 and Mark 4:35-41
Sunday, June 20th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
Both texts encourage us to trust that we have what we need to deal with what is before us – no matter how daunting. However, we are to find our way, not copy others.
Faith and Despair
Mark 5:21-43
Sunday, June 27th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
These two healing stories show the power of faith, even amid despair. Can we still find access to faith amid our challenges and hurts?
Sunday, July 4th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. Sue Smith
Sunday, July 11th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. Linda Goeddel
The Power of Leadership
Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Mark 6:30-34. 53-56
Sunday, July 18th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
From a biblical perspective, the job of leaders is to be on a journey to God and to help others do the same. The failure of leaders to be genuinely concerned about seeking God is disastrous. A sincere attempt is inspiring. How are we being called to lead?
Seeing Signs
John 6:24-35
Sunday, August 1st, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
There is spiritual and physical hunger, and there is spiritual and physical sight. What Jesus offers is ultimate and eternal, but if our focus is on the physical, we will miss what he has to offer.
A Tale of Two Kings
2 Samuel 11:1-15 and John 6:1-21
Sunday, July 25th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
Jesus was the King who rejected being King. His was a transformative path which offered people true life. David acted like a human King – taking what he wanted and seeking to cover up the truth of his abuse.
Seeing Signs
John 6:24-35
Sunday, August 1st, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
There is spiritual and physical hunger, and there is spiritual and physical sight. What Jesus offers is ultimate and eternal, but if our focus is on the physical, we will miss what he has to offer.
Living As We Die
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 and John 6:35, 41-51
Sunday, August 8th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
Jesus points to an access to that which is eternal through his life and presence. David’s story shows that the gateway to the eternal often passes through the reality of suffering and consequence.
We Are What We Eat
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 and John 6:51-58
Sunday, August 15th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
This is among the most challenging teachings of Jesus about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Solomon asks for wisdom and is blessed by his request and heart’s desire. What do we desire? What are we consuming? We will become what we eat.
The Spirit Gives Us
1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43 and John 6:56-69
Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
The dedication of the temple and Jesus’ teaching bear witness to the spiritual dimension, which Jesus says alone gives life. What role does the spiritual play in our lives? Where do we find life?
The Eye of the Heart
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Sunday, August 29th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
The Song of Solomon lifts up the wisdom of the heart as the way to God. Jesus challenges the legalism of the Pharisees as failing in heart wisdom.
Wholeness
Mark 7:24-37
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 : 9:15 AM
Rev. John W. Monroe III
Jesus is about creating a new humanity, one which is truly whole. One capable of true hearing, true speech, true inclusion, and true faith.