February 8, 2026: Courage to See with the Spirit’s Eyes
1 Corinthians 2: 1-16

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

In 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16, Paul reminds the early church that true wisdom isn't found in impressive speeches or human certainty, but in the quiet, persistent movement of the Spirit. This week's theme -- “Courage to See with the Spirit’s Eyes” — invites us to shift how we perceive the world and one another. Fear narrows our vision, shrinking our imagination to the size of our anxieties. But the Spirit, the very breath of the Holy One, widens our sight until we can recognize possibility where we once saw only limitation.

Progressive faith teaches that God — mysterious, expansive, and ever-unfolding — is not confined to old assumptions. When we dare to see through the Spirit’s eyes, we begin to notice the sacred in places we overlooked: in the wisdom of children, in the resilience of marginalized communities, in movements for justice, and in the quiet courage of everyday people choosing compassion over convenience.

Seeing this way requires bravery, It means loosening our grip on fear-based narratives and stepping into a larger, more generous reality. But as Paul assures us, we are never left to do this alone. The Spirit accompanies us, nudging us toward deeper understanding and clearer vision.

As our series, “Unveiled Courage: Seeing Clearly, Living Fearlessly” continues, may we open ourselves to this wider sight — trusting that when we look with the Spirit’s eyes we glimpse not only what is, but what can be.

Based on 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

 Music this week:

• We Come From the Spirit

• With You

• Consuming Fire

• In the Light

• Holy Spirit Rain Down

• Water, River, Spirit, Grace

February 1, 2026: Courage to Embrace God’s Strange Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1: 18-31

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

As we continue our series, “Unveiled Courage: Seeing Clearly, Living Fearlessly,” we are invited to confront a challenging truth: true courage often appears foolish to the world. We live in a culture that worships the “strong” -- the loudest voices, the most polished resumes, and the most certain conclusions. We are taught that to be safe, we must be in control.

But this Sunday, as we explore 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 we encounter a God who works through a different kind of logic. In a message titled “Courage to Embrace God's Strange Wisdom,” we will examine how the Cross subverts everything we think we know about power. The world sees a cross and sees defeat; God sees a cross and reveals ultimate liberation.

Fear is a creature of habit, It clings to familiar hierarchies and the safety of the status quo. However, spiritual courage invites us to let go. It calls for the bravery to let God unravel our need for worldly validation and reweave us with a grace that centers the “lowly.” the “weak,” and the “despised.”

Following a marginalized Savior calls us to deconstruct our own pedestals and find the sacred in places society ignores. Are we brave enough to be “fools” for love? Let’s gather this week to lay down our armor and embrace the beautiful, subversive wisdom that sets us truly free.

Based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

 Music this week:

• Glory, Glory Lord

• Everyday

• Heart of Worship

• Be Thou My Vision

• Show Me Your Ways

• El Shaddai

January 25, 2026: Courage to Seek Unity
1 Corinthians 1: 10-18

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

In our current series, “Unveiled Courage: Seeing Clearly, Living Fearlessly,” we are exploring what happens when the scales fall from our eyes, and we begin to see ourlife and faith through God's perspective. This Sunday, we apply that “unveiled” vision to the way we live together as a community.

Moving Beyond the Fog of Friction

In 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18, Paul addresses a church blinded by its own internal competition. The believers in Corinth had lost sight of the Gospel because they were too busy choosing sides - —lining up behind their favorite leaders like fans of rival teams.

When we live in fear, our vision narrows. We begin to see our siblings in Christ as competitors for resources or influence. But unveiled courage allows us to see clearly: we are not defined by our “camps,” but by the cross. Courageous unity isn't about forced agreement; it's about the fearless decision to keep Christ at the center, even when we disagree.

Seeing Our Future Together

This Sunday is a significant moment for us to practice this fearless living. Immediately following our worship service, we will transition into our Annual Congregational Meeting. As we pull back the curtain on the year ahead, we will review 2025 and share the hopes and visions that have emerged as we seek to serve our community in the coming year.

When we see clearly, we realize that a budget is more than just a financial document — it is a testament to our shared courage. We invite you to stay and participate as we move into 2026 with a spirit of unity and a heart free from fear.

 Music this week:

• Gather Us In

• Child of Love

• Lord, I Give You My Heart

• Live in Charity

• They’ll Know We Are Christians

• One Bread, One Body

January 18, 2026: Courage to Trust God’s Calling
1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

This Sunday, as we observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we continue our series, “Unveiled Courage: Seeing Clearly, Living Fearlessly.” Our focus shifts to 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9 where we explore the “Courage to Trust God's Calling.” It is easy to look at a monumental figure like Dr. King and see only the finished product of his courage. However, Dr. King's legacy teaches us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the trust that God provides the strength we lack. In his famous “Kitchen Table Experience” in 1956, a young exhausted, and fearful Dr. King sat in his kitchen at midnight, ready to give up. In that moment of deep vulnerability, he heard a divine voice assuring him: “Stand up for justice. and God will be at your side forever.”

This is exactly what Paul unveils for the church in Corinth. Though they were a fractured and messy community, Paul reminds them that they are “enriched in every way” and “not lacking in any spiritual gift.”

Seeing Clearly: We stop looking at our own limitations and start seeing the lavish grace God has already poured into us. Living Fearlessly: We find the strength to act not because we are qualified, but because God is faithful to sustain us to the end.

Join us this Sunday as we learn how to trade the paralysis of “not enough” for the Courage to Trust in God's Calling.

Reflection Question: Dr. King once said “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” As you look at the staircase of justice and healing in your own community, what “first step” is God calling you to take today, trusting that God has already given you the gifts to take it?

Based on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

 Music this week:

• Abide

• I Have a Hope

• Holy Spirit Rain Down

• You Are My Hiding Place

• Calling All Angels

• Hush

January 11, 2026: Courage to Cross Boundaries
Acts 10: 34-43

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

As we step from the glow of Advent into a new year, we carry with us the holy whisper that has guided us through the season: Do not be afraid. Epiphany invites us to discover what that promise looks like in practice. In this six-week series, "Unveiled Courage", we follow the early church's journey of revelation — from Peter's boundary-breaking vision in Acts to Paul's call for unity, humility, and Spirit-led wisdom in 1 Corinthians, to the bold witness of Peter.

Across these scriptures, God unveils truth not simply to open our eyes, but to embolden our lives. We learn that courage is not the absence of fear — it is the willingness to move through fear with clarity, humility, and hope. We discover a God who shows no partiality, a Christ who unravels human wisdom, and a Spirit who teaches us to see beyond what is obvious into what is possible.

As we prepare for our Lenten theme, "Tell Me Something Good", this Epiphany series helps us gather the good news we will soon be ready to proclaim. Together, we will practice seeing clearly and living fearlessly, trusting that God's light still rises, God's wisdom still surprises, and God's love still leads us forward.

So, come, people of God, step into the light that reveals and restores. Come with open eyes and open hearts, ready to see clearly. God calls us beyond fear, beyond division, beyond the wisdom of the world. Come seeking the courage that only love can give. Christ meets us in unexpected places and invites us to follow another way. Come to worship the One who unveils truth and leads us forward over these next six weeks, and beyond. Let us worship God with courage, wonder, and joy.

 Music this week:

• Heart of Worship

• Every Move I Make

• Build My Life

• Everything Is Beautiful

• Give Thanks

• Help Us Accept Each Other

• Peace in Christ

January 4, 2026: Fear Doesn't Stop Us
Matthew 23-12,16-18

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

As we conclude our Advent/Christmas series, Herod remains in power, Christ is born, yet it feels as if the world has not changed. The temptation to give up is strong, especially in the face of violence. But the magi don't let Herod's fear-driven demands stop them from honoring the newborn Christ or returning home by a different way. They model for us what it looks like to be led by hope, moving through fear without letting it paralyze us.

As this series ends and a new year begins, we proclaim our journey continues, and fear won't have the last word.

Music this week:

• While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

• Emmanuel, Emmanuel

• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings

• What Child Is This?

• Home By Another Way

• Let There Be Peace On Earth

Meg Sumowiec led this Taizé service of prayers, songs, silence, and communion as we celebrated Christmastide together in a contemplative service.

Music this week:

• Emmanuel, Emmanuel

• Come and Fill

• Give to Use Your Peace

• Live In Charity

• Come and Pray in Us

• Eat this Bread

• Glory to God

December 24, 2025: Christmas Eve: Good News Is Louder Than Fear
Luke 2: 1-20

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

The Christmas season can be filled with sentimental images of Mary, gentle and mild, holding a calm, sleepy Jesus. But the host of angels proclaims to the skies,"Glory to God in the highest!" What would it look like for us to proclaim the good news loudly, with overflowing joy? In a world that weaponizes fear, where algorithms decide what gets importance, what gets circulated, and what takes up space, let us be disruptive with our joy. Let us be loud and unruly, amplifying the good news like the shepherds running into the streets of Bethlehem. In a world where good news never feels loud enough to drown out fear, let us shout with the angels, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!"

Good news is louder than fear! In the story of Jesus' birth, good news breaks through fear and appears boldly in a chorus of angelic voices: "Glory to God! Peace on earth!" In the nativity story, good news doesn't come in a quiet whisper, a constellation of stars, the smoke of incense, or even a foggy dream. The good news is loud, clear, and unstoppable. For this is a holy night, but not a silent one; the good news of great joy for all people will not be silenced.

Keeping Vigil for Hope through the Longest Night

On December 21, 2025, at 5 p.m., we held the ecumenical Longest Night service here at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where we created a space to acknowledge difficult emotions during the holiday season, especially fears about the world.

December 21, 2025: Advent 4: When You’re Afraid, Give Me Your Hand
Matthew 1: 18-25

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

"Give me your hand" might challenge how we usually respond to fear, but what if fear can build connection instead of causing separation? Joseph faces his fears of rejection and shame to stand beside Mary, protecting her from harm. Their bond makes them both stronger. We don't fulfill our callings alone — our collective thriving depends on each person embracing their calling despite fears. How can we support each other? Where can we reach out when fear makes us feel isolated? When do we need to accept an outstretched hand? And can we, like Joseph, use our power and privilege to stand in solidarity with those whose lives are at risk?

In our theme this week, we're exploring the directive, "give me your hand" from multiple perspectives. We might imagine Joseph speaking these words to Mary, with Mary offering them back in return. We could imagine God whispering this to us, and us saying it aloud to someone in need of solidarity and support. "Give me your hand" functions both as a plea for help and a gesture of support; living in mutuality means that sometimes we are the ones in need and other times we are the ones offering aid.

The goal this week is to prevent fear from dividing and isolating us, instead using it as a catalyst for connection. Many of you, sitting in the pews or listening from home, may see yourselves as those in need of an outstretched hand. Still, I also want to take this message further by emphasizing our responsibility to our neighbors. Action, risk, and solidarity are essential parts of Christian love. How can we use our power and privilege to stand with others? When it's tempting to turn away and isolate ourselves, let us instead embody Joseph's humility, tenacity, and courage by extending an outstretched hand.

Music this week: 

• O Come All Ye Faithful

• Hark the Herald Angels Sing

• What if Love Were My Gift This Christmas?

• Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

• Light of the World

• The First Noel

December 14, 2025: Advent 3: Even In Our Fear, We Are Called Forward
Luke 1: 26-39 and Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

God often calls the unlikely and the unprepared. Jeremiah was just a boy when he was tasked with speaking truth to power, confessing his inadequacy with the cry, “I am only a youth.” Mary was merely a teenager when Gabriel announced she would bear God’s Son, leading her to ask in bewilderment, “How can this be?”

Like them, we often fear that we aren’t enough, that we will be alone, or that we won’t be heard. Yet, the theme “Even in Our Fear, We Are Called Forward” reminds us that stepping out in faith doesn’t require leaving our fears behind. Courage is not always a grand, heroic gesture; often, it is the quiet act of saying “yes” while our knees shake.

As you read Luci Shaw’s poem, “Mary Considers Her Situation”, (see below), imagine the emotions stirring within Mary. What sacrifices did she

weigh? What passions burned within her “like a sun rising”? Despite the social scrutiny and the threats awaiting her, Mary did not freeze. The Gospel tells us she left “with haste” to find Elizabeth — seeking safety and support, yes, but moving forward nonetheless. Even with a trembling voice, she stepped into her calling, and the words of the Magnificat began to form on her lips.

See you after worship on Sunday as we study “Calling All Angels” by Erin Wathen, and on Wednesday at noon on Zoom for the series discussion, “What Do You Fear? Insisting On Hope This Advent.”

Mary Considers Her Situation
by Luci Shaw

What next, she wonders,
with the angel disappearing, and her room
suddenly gone dark.

The loneliness of her news
possesses her. She ponders
how to tell her mother.

But then, part dazzled part prescient—
she hugs her body, a pod with a seed
that will split her.

She nestles into herself, half-convinced
it was some kind of good dream,
she its visionary.

Still the secret at her heart burns like
a sun rising. How to hold it in —
that which cannot be contained.

 Music this week:

• It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

• Angels We Have Heard on High

• What if Love Were My Gift This Christmas?

• While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

• Holy is Your Name (The Many)

• Away in a Manger

December 7, 2025: Advent 2: When We’re Running Out of Hope, God is at Work
Matthew 11: 1-11

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

John the Baptist sends word to Jesus from his prison cell, asking, “Are you the one?” John has spent his entire life preparing the way for Jesus, but from his prison cell, now facing death, the future looks bleak. Like John, even the most confident of us wonders from time to time: Is all this work worth it? Does anything I do matter? Am I on the right path? We can’t always see the results of our efforts, yet God is at work anyway. How might we, like Jesus and Isaiah, point to the places where God is active in our world? How might we keep hope alive?

Traditionally, during Advent, we hear John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness, urging the crowds to prepare the way for the one who is coming, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. In this series, we jump to the end of John the Baptist’s ministry to focus on a moment when deep fear and suffering lead him to question the impact of his life’s work. The Sanctified Arts team chose this passage because far too many of us can relate to John’s frustration. We may also ask: “Have my efforts made a difference? Is God truly at work?” This week, let’s acknowledge these questions but also explore follow-up questions for self-inquiry.

• Is my hope solely dependent upon outcomes, tangible proof, or positive change?

• Can I practice hope even when I don’t see the fruits of my labor?

• Do I trust that God is at work, even if I cannot always see it?

• Might God be at work in ways I don’t expect?

This week in our series focuses on developing a gritty and resilient hope that is not easily shaken by doubts and fears. Dr. Boyung Lee, the theologian for the series, wisely explains: “Hope in the gospel is not grounded in outcomes or visible success. Hope is rooted in perception — in trusting God is still at work, even when systems remain unchanged, even when prophets die behind bars.” Overall, Lee affirms that “hope that trembles is still hope.”

See you Wednesday at noon for Midweek Bible Study on this series, What Do You Fear?

See you Sunday after worship for the book study, “Calling All Angels” by Erin Wathen.

Music this week:

• God’s Love Made Visible

• What Child is This?

• What if Love Were My Gift This Christmas?  v.1,2

• There’s a Song in the Air

• When God is a Child

• O Little Town of Bethlehem

November 30, 2025: Advent 1: In the Time of Herod…
Luke 1: 5-13

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

Our Advent Series, "What Do You Fear? Insisting On Hope This Advent," draws from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Luke begins the story of Jesus with the line, "In the time of Herod..." This detail reveals a world of widespread oppression, economic inequality, uncertainty, and instability — a fearful world not so unlike our own. Yet, amidst this fear, the angels deliver a surprising message: "Do not fear."

In our time, we wonder: Is fearlessness possible in a fearful world? The Advent stories show that figures like Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi did not deny their fears; they moved through them. They held fast to courage, trusted in the good news, and said, "Here I am, Lord." This season invites us to acknowledge our fears while insisting on hope.

The Sanctified Art series takes the angels' message seriously, trusting that Christ's birth is good news of great joy. It examines the terror of King Herod's time and encourages us to reflect on our own present-day fears. Fear can divide and paralyze us, but what if we changed our relationship with it? Can we acknowledge fear without letting it control us? Could we transform our fears into love and action? Naming our fears can help us see more clearly where God is breaking in and at work.

This series softly encourages us to recognize the presence of fear in both the Advent story and our lives while guiding us toward hope with the angels' voices serving as our ongoing reminder.

Every Advent, we light candles and pray because we believe God entered a frightened world to bring good news. We hold onto hope because Christ did come — that is the promise of the season. Our hope is not flimsy; it is gritty, resilient, and endures no matter what we face. Let us insist on hope and trust that good news is greater than fear.

Music this week:

• Prepare the Way of the Lord

• Come, O Long Expected Jesus

• What if Love Were My Gift This Christmas?

• Christians All Your Lord is Coming

• Emmanuel, Emmanuel

• O Come, O Come Emmanuel

November 23, 2025: Be Still
Psalm 46

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

Chaotic. The country feels chaotic. Our lives sometimes seem chaotic too. There is noise everywhere-from the endless scroll on social media and the 24/7 newscycle to the constant pressure to be productive and the inner roar of worry and anxiety. We are all overwhelmed by the sound of "doing."

We are about to enter the most chaotic time of the year. This Sunday marks the end of the liturgical year in the church calendar, with what some churches call Reign of Christ Sunday. Later this week, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, followed bythe full-on rush of holiday shopping. The church year begins again next Sunday with the first Sunday of Advent. There will be programs and celebrations, dinners with family and friends, parties, and worship services that we will plan. We will feel like we barely have enough time to breathe until mid Januaryl

However, one verse in this Psalm, verse 10, encourages us to do just that: breathe. Be still. Recognize that God is the refuge and strength of our lives, even when everything around us seems out of control.

This Sunday, we will have a lot going on, so I want us to breathe and be still.

 Music this week:

• How Majestic is Your Name

• I Have A Hope

• You Are My Strength

• For the Fruit of All Creation

• Be Still

• Jesus, Remember Me

November 16, 2025: We Are God’s New Thing
Isaiah 65: 17 - 25

Note: Our apologies -- we had technical issues with Zoom and the music is not up to our usual standards! We believe we have fixed the issues for future services.

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

"For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)

The scripture for this week is more than just a beautiful poem; it is God's bold declaration of intent to heal a broken world. To the prophet's audience, the "former things" meant the terror of exile and widespread destruction. For us, the "former things" are the systems of sin that we, as a justice minded people, are called to leave behind: the trauma of white supremacy, the heavy weight of economic inequality, and the violence of homophobia and transphobia. We are especially mindful of this as Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19) leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.

This divine act of forgetfulness is an act of covenantal repair, God is clearing the slate, not by erasing history, but by creating a future full of justice and hope that makes the horrors of the past lose their power to define us. As a church committed to being anti-racist, our job is to join God in this creative act dismantling the old foundations of exclusion so the New Thing -- the genuinely equitable and welcoming community -- can emerge.

The promise is that we don't have to wait for a distant paradise. We are called to live this vision right now. Isaiah's blueprint for the Beloved Community is a call for us to co-create in the present moment.

As we dream God's big dream, envision the Beloved Community, and live into God's call for us, what does it mean for you to be God's New Thing?

 Music this week:

• Number 40

• Indescribable

• Start a Fire

• Sanctuary

• Broken Things

• Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ

November 9, 2025: This House of Splendor
Haggai 1: 15b - 2:9

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

Many challenges confront us today, both globally and nationally: wars, poverty, homelessness, and a decline in trust toward political leaders and institutions. This week, we reflect on the ancient words of Haggai, a prophet who addressed a community struggling with disappointment, longing, and the difficult task of rebuilding their world. The passage before us, Haggai 1 15b - 2:9, is not just a historical record — it's a living call to consider what it means to build, to hope, and to embody divine presence in our lives today.

The exiled community of Judah returned to Jerusalem filled with hope and the blessing of a foreign king only to see their rebuilt temple a faint echo of Solomon's former splendor. Their aspirations clashed with reality, elders wept upon seeing the new temple, recalling what once was. Yet, amid their discouragement, God speaks through Haggai: "Take courage. Keep working. I am with you."

This message is not about comparing the past to the present nor about measuring our worth by material splendor. Instead, it is a radical affirmation: God is with us not because of what we build but because of who we are and how we strive together.

Let's think about how the challenges we face personally, politically, economically, and spiritually are opportunities for God's love and justice to prevail.

 Music this week:

• Better is One Day

• Gather Us In

• Create in Me a Clean Heart

• Glory to God

• All Are Welcome

• For Everyone Born

November 2, 2025: Let Us Pray
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-4, 11-12

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

As I write this, I'm in my final week of sabbatical. The past three months have been an incredible time for rest, reflection, and renewal. I'II share what I've learned, experienced, and the connections or themes that tied together much of what I did during the Lunch & Learn after worship, so I won't go into detail here — you'll need to join us for lunch!

There are many things happening in our country and around the world right now, and it can be hard to see where God is at work. However, I believe that God is faithful and that we are called to be the people of God — called to act and speak in ways that bring about justice and peace. We are called to pray. Prayer is not a passive act. It is not sitting on our hands and wishing all the problems would go away. Prayer is actively talking to God, listening for what God is saying, and then acting in the ways God calls us to act. Prayer can be a protest. Prayer can be writing or calling legislators. Prayer changes things.

The early Christians in Thessalonica faced a hostile world. So do we. The specific threats have changed, but the reality of injustice, oppression, and suffering remains. The temptation to despair is strong. But Paul's prayer reminds us that we are not alone and that our hope is not in a future escape from reality but in a God who is active in the world and in us, bringing about restoration.

So let us pray, not for vengeance, but for strength. Let us pray, not for an end to our struggle, but for the courage to endure, Let us pray that our faith grows, our love abounds, and our lives become a testament to the transformative power of Gods grace, And as we pray, let us remember that what we hope for truly shapes what we live for.

 Music this week:

• Let Us Pray

•   There’s a Light

• Day by Day

• O Lord Hear My Prayer

• Plowshare Prayer

• Called as Partners in Christ’s Service

October 26, 2025: Everything
Mark 12: 41-44

Rev. Dr. LaTaunya Bynum, preaching

Note: we had technical difficulties in the first part of the service and the sound is ... not as good as we'd like. Our apologies -- please be patient; the sound improves around 24-25 minutes into the recording.

The story of the poor widow who gives her last coins is given to us as an example of sacrificial giving and it is. But it is also a story of generosity, courage and living with humility and faithfulness. The contrast to the woman is all the people who make a show of giving their offerings. They do not only want to be seen, but they also want to be observed to be righteous.

I wonder what they thought of the gifts they offered.

What were your first lessons about money? Mine were that it was to be saved for special things like Christmas, school clothes, vacations and taxes. It was unwise to borrow or lend. Money was to be used wisely, after all — "a fool and his/her money are soon parted." And a portion of the money we had was to be shared with the church.

I learned that stewardship is not about money, except it is. Congregations, regions, and the general church need our money to provide the opportunities for ministry and mission we are called to offer. It is about supporting the church, paying salaries and bills, except that is not the only point of giving.

I a ma church girl, I have gone to church all my life, and I learned early that stewardship is about responsibility, gratitude, obligation, and giving to something beyond ourselves.

This time of year challenges us to dream God's dream of ministry and mission, justice and peace, joy and thanksgiving.

Based on Mark 12.41-44

Music this week:

• Abide

• Because of Your Love

• Lord, I Give You My Heart

• Give Thanks

• Take My Gifts

• Bread for the Journey

Be Rich
Luke 12: 13-21

Rev. Monica Myers Greenberg, preaching

We are thrilled to welcome as our guest preacher this week Rev. Monica Myers Greenberg, Monica is vice president of the Christian Church Foundation's Mountain West zone and the Canada Region, which includes the area from Colorado to Northern California and north to Alaska.

Rev. Myers Greenberg is a graduate of Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, and Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. Originally from Ohio, she served congregations in the Northern Lights Region for 21 years before joining the Foundation staff in 2021. She shares, "I look forward to partnering with people who love the church and have a passion for ensuring, through their own generosity, that the church's faith and witness will continue for many years to come." Monica resides in Seattle, Washington, with her son and their dog.

Monical also led a Lunch & Learn after the service on the topic "Legacies and Planned Giving.”

Based on Luke 12: 13-21

Music this week:

• Forever Reign

• Holy Spirit Rain Down

• Be Thou My Vision

• Offering

• All The Pretty Things

• Here At Thy Table, Lord

A Waking Dream? Awaking Dream!
Acts 10: 1-17, 34-35

Rev. Melissa St. Clair, preaching

In Acts 10, Peter dreams of a delectable spread of foods he couldn't eat. Once fully awake, he hears the call to visit a man he believed his religious tradition dictated he should disdain. But encouraged by the dream he accepted Cornelius' invitation to preach and welcomed him as a sibling in the spirit. (To that end — thank you for the invitation to preach here this weekend!}

We witness God pushing Peter from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance, Scarcity had narrowed Peter's vision. Fear and suspicion made him limit his sense of who could belong. God gave Peter a dream of abundance, God pointed out abundance where Peter saw scarcity — "All these are good too."

We often portray generosity as the opposite of selfishness. While that's true, in Peter's story, we can also see generosity as the opposite of enmity, Peter's openness to Cornelius speaks to an openness of heart, a commitment to building an expansive community that underlies all the many forms generosity can take in our lives.

How do we limit our thinking about who God is and who is part of God's realm? How has your faith in the God of Jesus Christ expanded your perspective or changed your mind? In what ways do you experience God's abundant generosity through this community of faith? How might God move through our dreams to push us toward more extraordinary generosity?

Based on Acts 10: 1-17, 34-35

 Music this week:

• Dream Small

• Here I Am to Worship

• Build My Life

• Give Thanks

• Help Us Accept Each Other

• Here I Am, Lord

The Courage to be Called Faithful
Luke 17: 5-10

Rev. Dr. April Johnson, preaching

We are thrilled to welcome as our guest preacher this Sunday, October 5, Rev. Dr. April Johnson. Rev. Dr. Johnson recently retired from her position as the Minister of Reconciliation for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She brings a deep passion for racial understanding, justice, and compassion to her work. As Minister of Reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Johnson facilitated the church-wide process of awareness, analysis, and action aimed at healing the fractures within the body of Christ caused by systemic racism. She collaborated with organizer trainers, regional and congregational staff leadership, anti-racism teams, and ecumenical partners in her efforts to guide this work. Rev. Dr. Johnson added mediation to the toolbox of Anti-Racism skills and practices in the church's pursuit to embody a Pro-Reconciling identity, In her capacity as both pastor and administrator, Rev. Dr. Johnson emphasizes the importance of building relationships across differences as one of the critical ways that we actualize God's plan for humanity and creation.

Rev. Dr. April Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, her Master of Divinity from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and her Doctor of Ministry from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. She enjoys writing, expanding her cultural competence through personal travel, and spending time with her growing family, Rev. Dr. April Johnson is a native of Chicago, Illinois.

She has posed several questions to ponder in preparation for her sermon on Sunday:

• How would you describe your faith life today? When you read the Gospel lesson, Luke 17:5 10, what resonates most with your current faith life?

• Do you focus on the characters or the imagery of text? For example, what do you see when you read this scripture?

• A mustard seed is a metaphor for a comparison of size to outcome or the ability to influence or effect change, Does the illustration of the mountain versus the mustard invite you to consider the size of your faith or your commitment to be faithful?

Also, Dr. Johnson led a Lunch & Learn after the service, focused on becoming an anti-racist congregation.

Based on Luke 17:5-10

 Music this week:

• Everyday

• Empty Me Out

• Peace in Christ

• Totally Available

• Courage to Be Kind

• Take My Life

September 2025 sermon series: Journey into Faith
September 28: Part 4: Will and Grace
Selections from Ephesians

Audrey Barton, preaching

Throughout August Jacob helped us to reflect on, and move more deeply into, the beautiful foundational dynamics of our faith. Doing so may lead us to recognize that people often encounter barriers to accepting or fully experiencing the gifts of God such as grace, love, restoration, closeness with God or living our purpose. We may face such challenges ourselves or observe them in those we know who have not yet come into a life with God.

Our September series continues this Sunday by looking at how being saved by grace through faith may seem confusing or challenging, because of issues related to the Ego (whether wounded or prideful, and to our dependence on the Will and our own striving to save ourselves. Come for a time of reflecting on what true freedom and self-contentment are about.Based on selections from Ephesians

Music this week: 

• Calling All Angels

• Better is One Day

• You Are My Strength

• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

• Moses in the Desert

• One Spirit of Love

September 2025 sermon series: Journey into Faith
September 21: Part 3: Will and Grace
Selections from Ephesians

Audrey Barton, preaching

Throughout August Jacob helped us to reflect on, and move more deeply into, the beautiful foundational dynamics of our faith.

Doing so may lead us to recognize that people otten encounter barriers to accepting or fully experiencing the gifts of God such as grace, love, restoration, closeness with God or living our purpose. We may face such challenges ourselves or observe them in those we know who have not yet come into a life with God.

Our September series continues this Sunday by looking at how being saved by grace through faith may seem confusing or challenging, because of issues related to the Ego (whether wounded or prideful), and to our dependence on the Will and our own striving to save ourselves. Come for a time of reflecting on what true freedom and self-contentment are about.

Music this week:

• Child of Love

• Let the River Flow

• Start a Fire

• Create in Me a Clean Heart

• Show Me Your Ways

• Water, River, Spirit, Grace

Audrey Barton preaching

Music this week: 

• Let Everything That Has Breath

• Indescribable

• Holy Spirit Rain Down

• Breathe on Me, Breath of God

• Mystery

• How Beautiful

September 2025 sermon series: Journey into Faith
September 7: Part 1: What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Ephesians 3: 14-19

Audrey Barton, preaching

Throughout August, Jacob helped us to reflect on, and move more deeply into, the beautiful foundational dynamics of our faith.

Doing so may lead us to recognize that people often encounter barriers to accepting or fully experiencing the gifts of God such as grace, love, restoration, closeness with God, or living our purpose. We may face such challenges ourselves or observe them in those we know who have not yet come into a life with God.

Our sermon series in September will take a look at some barriers to faith and what might help folks to keep going forward, including we who have been on the Journey into Faith for quite some time.

Music this week:

• Hallelujah (your love is amazing)

• Your Love Reaches Me

• Make You Feel My Love

• In the Light

• Home

• We See You God

August 2025 sermon series: Faith & Journey
August 31: Part 5: We are Called to Share
2 Corinthians 5: 11-21

Jacob Perez, preaching

In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul reminds us that in Christ we have been made new creations. The old ways of division, self-interest, and fear have passed away, and something entirely new has begun. This transformation is not just a personal blessing; it is also a calling.

God has reconciled us to God's self through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That means we are not only recipients of grace, we are also its messengers.

This Sunday, we will explore what it means to be "ambassadors for Christ" in a world that is often fractured and distrustful. Evangelism, in the way of Jesus, is not about winning arguments or imposing beliefs. It is about embodying the good news through lives of love, justice, and welcome. We will reflect on how sharing our faith is less about delivering a sales pitch and more about inviting others into a relationship with God, with community, and with hope itself.

The message of reconciliation is desperately needed in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. We carry it not because we are perfect, but because we have experienced God's reconciling love firsthand. Together, we will consider practical and compassionate ways to live out this calling so that others can see, hear, and feel the presence of Christ through us.

Join us for our final week of our series, "Faith & Journey," as we discover how God can use our everyday lives, words, and actions to extend the invitation: "Come and see what love has done.”

Based on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

 Music this week:

• Number 40

• Abide

• Lord, I Give You My Heart

• Live in Charity

• Testify to Love

• Come Share the Lord

August 2025 sermon series: Faith & Journey
August 24: Part 4: Fellowship
Acts 2: 42-47

Jacob Perez, preaching

This Sunday we turn to the most beautiful outcome of the Pentecost story that is found in Acts 2. In just a few verses, the Bible describes a community deeply devoted to God and to one another: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers... All who believed were together and had all things in common."

We'll reflect on what it means to belong to a congregation in today's world. Many of us know how easy it is to go through the motions of attending church without truly experiencing life together. Yet Acts reminds us that being part of Christ's body is not just about Sunday worship, it is about building relationships, sharing in one another's joys and struggles, and living with intentional care for our brothers and sisters in faith.

We'll explore two central ideas. First, the value of belonging. The early church grew in joy, strength, and numbers because people found a spiritual home where they were seen, supported and encouraged. Second, the responsibility of fellowship. True fellowship calls us to move beyond comfort and into commitment, bearing one another's burdens and working to ensure no one is left alone.

The invitation this week is to take a fresh step toward intentional connection. Fellowship is both a gift and a calling, and together we can embody the same spirit of love and generosity that marked the first believers.

Come ready to be inspired, challenged, and encouraged as we rediscover the joy of life together in Christ. See you Sunday, bring a friend!

Based on Acts 2:42-47

 Music this week:

• Gather Us In

• Heart of Worship

• Eagle’s Wings

• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

• Day by Day

• Eat This Bread

August 2025 sermon series: Faith & Journey
August 10: Part 3: A Closer Walk with Thee
Psalm 63: 1-8

Jacob Perez, preaching

Life pulls us in many directions, from work to family to commitments and the constant noise around us. In the middle of all this, many of us long for something deeper, something that restores our souls. In Psalm 63, David writes with the language of intimacy, as someone who knows that God's love is not distant, but sustaining.

This week, we explore what it means to walk closer with God in a life-giving relationship that shapes how we live, love and see the world. We'll talk about how closeness with God is both personal and public. Our private devotion naturally flows into acts of compassion, justice, and inclusion. When we abide in God's love, we become more attuned to the needs of others, the beauty of creation, and the call to embody Christ's inclusive grace.

We'll consider practical ways to deepen this walk: building rhythms of prayer, engaging scripture with openness, practicing gratitude, and listening for God in both stillness and struggle. Psalm 63 invites us to make longing for God a regular component of our day, drawing us into joy, purpose and love.

Music this week:

• Step by Step

• My Soul Waits

• When I Think About the Lord

• Hide Me in the Shelter

• Just a Closer Walk with Thee

• Thirsty

August 2025 sermon series: Faith & Journey
August 10: Part 2: The Prodigal Son
Luke 15: 11-24

Jacob Perez, preaching

Our sermon series for the month of August, "Faith & Journey," is an attempt to discuss the core elements of the Christian walk and way of worship and a perfect opportunity to invite friends who might be skeptical about belief or may have lost contact with church over a period of time. I look forward to this series and hope to see you there with a friend!

Faith isn't always a straight path. Sometimes we wander. Sometimes we walk away. And sometimes we are unsure if we can ever really return after wandering.

This week in worship, we'll explore Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about grace. A young man demands his inheritance, leaves home, and loses everything. But the turning point comes not when he fixes his life, but when he remembers there's still a home he can return to!

And while he's still far off, his father sees him and runs to meet him. This is the heart of God: not waiting with judgment but rushing toward us with compassion. No told-you-so's, no conditions. Just embrace, welcome and joy.

The father in the parable doesn't just forgive, he restores. A robe for dignity. A ring for identity. A feast for belonging. It's not about earning love. It's about receiving what's already been given.

As we continue our series, Faith & Journey, this story reminds us that grace is not a reward, it's at the core of our relationship with God. It's one that invites us home no matter how far we've gone.

And in a world that tells us we must prove our worth, Jesus tells us: You are already worthy. Come home.

 Music this week:

• Because of Your Love

• Amazing Grace (Peaceful, Easy Feeling)

• Let the River Flow

• Sanctuary

• I Will Celebrate

• River of Mercy

August 2025 sermon series: Faith & Journey
August 3: Part 1: Grace through Faith
Romans 4: 13-25

Jacob Perez, preaching

This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series for the month of August entitled "Faith & Journey." It is an attempt to discuss the core elements of the Christian walk and way of worship and a perfect opportunity to invite friends who might be skeptical about belief or may have lost contact with church over a period of time. I look forward to this series and hope to see you there with a friend!

This Sunday, we start with the bedrock of the Christian experience: Grace! We'll discuss what grace is and how faith activates it. Our reading is from Romans 4:13-25, and in this powerful passage, Paul reminds us that Abraham's righteousness didn't come through perfection or adherence to some code of conduct, but rather through courageous, persistent trust in God's promise. Abraham believed even when the odds were against him. His devotion wasn't flawless, but it was faithful. What does that kind of trust look like in our own lives today?

Join us as we reflect on what it means to be people of faith... not because we have all the answers, but because we believe in a God who still calls new things into being. Whether you're full of hope, wrestling with doubt, or just trying to take the next faithful step, I hope this message will speak to the journey we're all on together. Come with expectancy for the presence of God!

 Music this week:

• A Song Must Rise

• With You

• Greater Grace

• Surely the Presence of the Lord

• Simple Life

• Grace Alone