Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (live-streaming)

Scripture: Leviticus 19 (selections); Luke 10:38-42

Hymns: God is Calling through the Whisper; For All the Faithful Women; The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound

Sermon: Happiness Isn’t a Room without a Roof

In the well-known story, the sisters, Mary and Martha, welcome Jesus under their roof. Hospitality is an important and time-honored practice in both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. The heat and rugged terrain of the Middle East took its toll on travelers. How longed-for was a roof or a tent that could offer some relief from the noonday heat in a weary land.

(Sunday, October 11 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Psalm 2; Matthew 5:38-48

Hymns: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian; Why Do Nations Rage Together; In an Age of Twisted Values

Sermon: “Praying for Pharaoh” by Rev. Jim Reisner

I have had several conversations lately about how hard it is to pray right now. Our anger and outrage make it hard to pray for people who are doing harm to the poor and the refugee families. How do we pray for the oppressor? How do we pray for Pharaoh?

(Sunday, October 4th at 11 AM, World Communion Sunday Service, St. Francis of Assisi Day, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

This Sunday is also Invitation to Dream Sunday for our Capital Campaign.

Scripture: Isaiah 58:4-13; Ephesians 3:14-21

Hymns: O For a World; Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken; In Christ There is No East or West

Service Preview (Online):

Sermon:  “An Invitation to Dream” by Rev. James Reisner

When the nation of Judah returned to Jerusalem after years of captivity in Babylon, they began to rebuild their devastated cities.

The restoration of Israel was about rebuilding walls, yes, but even more so, it was about restoring justice, decency, humanity, joy, faith, hope, love. A commitment to rebuilding our roof is all about everything that happens under that roof.

(Sunday, September 20 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15; John 6:31-41

Hymns: Morning Has Broken; Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak; Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

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Sermon:  “Manna from Heaven” by Rev. James Reisner

“And the whole congregation of Israelites complained.” (Exodus 16:2)

(Sunday, September 13 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-16,21-31; Romans 6:3-11

Hymns: God the Sculptor of the Mountains; Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain; How Firm a Foundation

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Sermon:  “A Way Through the Waters” by Rev. James Reisner

Walter Brueggemann describes the Israelites passage through the Red Sea waters as the “primal saving event.”  It sets forth the idea that God calls people from bondage to freedom, that God provides, that God will never abandon, and that, therefore, we will not fear. All these ideas find expression in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(Sunday, September 6 at 10 AM, Communion Service, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

Scripture: Exodus 10:1-20; II Corinthians 4:5-12

Hymns: All People That on Earth Do Dwell; When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land; Bread of the World in Mercy Broken; All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly

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Sermon: “Faith in a Time of Plague” by Rev. James Reisner

It is hard to explain what might be in the heart of a tyrant. How can we understand the irrational and harmful acts of a national leader in a time of plagues?  The challenge of comprehending evil has been difficult for every religious tradition. Why does God allow suffering? Where is God in a pandemic, or the subjugation or enslavement of one people by another?

(Sunday, August 30 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15;  Colossians 1:15-20

Hymns: God You Spin the Whirling Planets; O God, in a Mysterious Way; God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand

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Sermon: “A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery inside an Enigma” by Rev. James Reisner

Shortly after the end of World War II, Winston Churchill referred to Russia as “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” That phrase can easily be applied to what experienced in the hills of Midian when Moses came upon a bush that was on fire yet not being consumed by the flames. When Moses attempts to familiarize himself with the One speaking to him, he says, in effect, what do I call you? God’s response is: “I AM WHO I AM. Tell the Israelites ‘I AM’ has sent you to them.”

(Sunday, August 23 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-2:10;  Luke 20:20-26

Hymns: Live Into Hope; Precious Lord, Take My Hand; How Great Thou Art

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Sermon: “Creative Resistance” by Rev. James Reisner

The Book of Genesis ends with the 12 sons of Israel and all of their kinfolk relocating to Egypt during a famine.  As the Book of Exodus begins, the deeds of Joseph are long-forgotten, and Pharaoh perceives the many Hebrews living in Egypt as a threat. Pharaoh calls for the midwives of Egypt to kill the Hebrew male babies at birth, but the midwives resist. In the midst of this resistance, we hear the story of the birth of one Hebrew baby, Moses, and how this baby comes to grow up in Pharaoh’s own household.