It can’t be MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY…there’s room on the road for all of us!   John 17: 20-26

Rob  Bell says, “God is described in Scripture as compassionate.  ‘The Hebrew word is raham. It is also the word for womb.  So God is “womb-like.”  This is a very feminine image for God.”    Job 38: 4-11 Genesis 1: 27 Isaiah 66: 13-14

The video that Pastor Bob references can be listened to and viewed by clicking the link to the right   This is Rob Bell’s video named “She”. You can pause the sermon if you wish and return after viewing or listen at the end.

Rob Bell’s Website is Nooma.com

This side of the crucifixion makes that little word AS pretty important here.  What’s this kind of love look like?  There must be about it some kind of sacrifice.  John 13.31-35

Pastor Bob and Kermit Buckman who chairs our NETwork team will dialogue a bit about our Future Story and present a ppt of potential next steps.   John 14.1-12

God is notorious for choosing and using the notorious!  Take Saul for example…  Acts 9.1-6 7-20

Acts 2:42-47  is the bases for our LOGOS program. The question was brought to our LOGOS children; Who feeds you, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually? How does LOGOS feed you. Today’s sermon are the responses from our children. Listen and learn.     ACTS 2:42-47 John 21: 1-14

Easter Sunday

What are the stones that you need rolled out of your life?  All things are possible with Jesus…the resurrection and the life  Luke 24.1-12

Good Friday

A special thank you to Bill Kennedy

Wiping the Tears Away—Veronica       “And there followed him a great company of people. And of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.”  (Luke 23:27)

Stranger in A Strange Land—Simon of Cyrene         “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross.” (Matthew 27:32)
“And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.”  (Mark 15:21)
“And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”  (Luke 23: 26)

Old Soldier-Longinus

 “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came out blood and water” (John 19:34)

Palm Sunday

Are we ‘riding along’ with Jesus or just ‘going along for a ride?’  What’s the difference?  It’s a matter of life and death!  Luke 19.28-40

John puts several hats on Judas…to show us what he really cared for?  The question is:  what do WE care for and HOW DO WE SHOW IT?  John 12.1-8

Is every disaster such as Haiti or Chili, a wake-up call from God?  Some commentators would think so.  Or is Jesus suggesting that there “is still time”?   Just because there’s still time, doesn’t mean we should push the envelope to see just how much!  Instead, we should know that time, will, run out.  Luke 13.1-9 

Paul clearly states that we are to be imitators.  How does this square with a world that wants innovators?  Philippians 3.17-4.1

Who are you imitating? Who is imitating you?

Jesus models for us the best way for us to deal with the temptations of life.  Luke 4.1-13 

John Ortberg The Me I want to Be “the me I want to be”  God Is Closer Than You Think The Life You’ve Always Wanted

pain  sorrow temptations self-doubt

Everyone longs for a connection…for TRUE LOVE.  What does a connection with Jesus get you?  EXACTLY what you’ve been looking for!  2 Corinthians 3.12-4.2

Link to Google to view images of the Ponte Milvio

The Psalmist calls for intentionality to our Thanksgiving!  Psalm 138

 sonja lyubomirsky the how of happiness University of California

professor of psychology pioneered  increase happiness day  lives

Jesus begins his radical heroism right here…throwing ‘caution to the wind’ and holding onto courage.  Luke 4.21-30

Ever wonder how you can spread the news of your faith without being abrasive or condescending?  This sermon explores some concrete ways to go about that.  Luke 4.14-21

During the 30 second wait, when Pastor Bob references the “image of Jesus” please pause the playback and click the link to view the image yourself.  When the 30 second countdown is complete, continue playing the sermon.

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Jesus Optical

 Illusion Image

The wedding at Cana is really all our transformation.  What needs to be changed in your life?  With Him ‘all things are possible.  John 2.1-11

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Baptism by water and fire. As that similar to being thrown into the frying plan and learning as you go as they say? is it a terrible ordeal? The Fire is actually The “heat” of God’s holiness. These fires don’t consume, they make holy.  It’s like when you site in front of the campfire for a little too long, your face might begin to “glow” a bit, turn a little red. You might even start to sweat a little, take on a little “luster”.  At our baptisms we take on a new luster.  A luster and look of Christ.  luke 3:15-17 21-22

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birth of Christ

What would the Christmas story sound like if it all happened today?  What might “modern day” shepherds be like?  One can wonder…  Luke 2.1-20 

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Universal motherhood. Maternal instinct that they will do anything for their kids. Just like a mother. You are a well loved child with Jesus. What life giving energy makes a flower grow? Jesus is the life force of creation. Are we missing it? If you had 3 minutes with Jesus, what would he speak about you in your life? Is there a distraction in your life that keeps you from loving others?  John 1: 1-13

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 Christmas Eve Sermon

In those days…
Remember, a manger is not a baby bed; it is a “feeding Trough!”
Bethlehem of all places! It’s a, “you’re now entering, you’re now leaving kind of town. Can you say Hicksville?
Jesus was born in the middle of Political unrest, economic depression and religious & social diversity that was just tremendous.

Similar to today?
Don’t we deal with melancholy moments, budgets issues, salary cuts, political and economic unrest?
“Do you just want to be a kid again?”
Hoping for a few great hours where all is eggnog and happiness, and there is no trauma, no issues, nobody wants anything, there is nothing but sweetness and light in my life, for just a few precious hours.
Isaiah 9: 2-7  Luke 2: 1-20

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As it says in Matthew 25:40 – “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” How would you handle meeting the homeless?  What would you do, what would you give or what would you say?  Our church was tested.  Have been tested lately?  Maybe you have been but don’t even know it.   Luke 3: 7-18

We will attempt to contrast Jesus’ first and second advents. The first advent was supposedly a still, silent, midnight-clear event and ‘silver and gold’ and children and smiles…and wide eyed animals looking on.  The second advent, however, does not lend itself to sugarcoating. As Scott Hoezee puts it:  “It’s difficult to imagine Hallmark producing rosy greeting cards about the stars going dark and falling from their orbits. It’s hard to imagine children listening with beatific smiles on their faces to a story about boiling oceans and people everywhere fainting from terror.  Contrasting these two advents is one way to uncover the true nature of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. For if we are unwilling to celebrate and acknowledge advent number two, then the first advent means nothing.  Luke 21.25-36

 When the sermon is at the point wgere Bob says “watch”, pause the sermon and listen to the “Wizards in Winter” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Viewed over 3 Million times on Youtube.

Peter had to decide he had to include what had been excluded!  God seems to be calling us to this kind of moment today. Who are the excluded in our culture today?  Why is that so?   Acts 10: 34-43

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen -
Autobots  Optimus Prime, the Autobot leader.  Bumblebee, the Autobot who befriended Sam Witwicky and disguises himself as his fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.   Mudflap and Skids, also known as the twins.  Ironhide, the Autobot weapons specialist.   Ratchet, the Autobot medic who transforms into a search and rescue Hummer H2.  Decepticons  The Fallen, one of the Dynasty of Primes and Megatron’s master.  Cybertronian “destroyer” aircraft.   Protecting the  AllSpark.

Keys words that a Christianity in Culture Sermon could be built around?  Relative to Romans 12? 

Due to technical difficulties, an audio sermon is not available.  You “can” however read the sermon to see how these Autobots “Transform” Christianity in Culture.  click here to open Sermon

In essence this will be a combo sermon:  slides from the Hubble site and a dialogue w/ science teacher Dan Irby – I am awed by the vastness and beauty of deep space.  Spend some time on the hubble website and see what might arise in your music choices!  Those connected to stars, light, creation, greatness of God are all good bets.  Genesis 1: 1-5   psalm 11:4

Future power point of slides will be here soon.

From wikipedia.com: Oscar-Claude Monet or Claude Oscar Monet (14 November 1840 – 5 December 1926)^[1] was a founder of French impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement’s philosophy of expressing one’s perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscape painting.^[2]  

What are our perceptions when it comes to nature?  Do we have eyes to see “God in all things?”  This sermon will most likely involve some slides from our big family trip in England and Scotland and some slides of Monet’s Trouée de soleil dans le brouillard, Houses of Parliament, London, Sun Breaking Through the Fog, 1904, Musée d’Orsay, Paris   Genesis 1: 1-4    4-25

 Future power point of slides will be here soon.

A good friend of mine has said in essence. “It’s easy to say Jesus is Lord, but actually making him Lord of our lives is the hard part.”  Ben Harper, in many ways tries to do that. Harper is “one”of the most gifted guitarists alive today” and having spent time with the Blind Boys of Alabama he couldn’t help but develop a spirituality that calls listeners to be walking pictures of Jesus.  1 Corinthians 13

Listen to the song on yourtube – Ben Harper – With My Own Two Hands 

God’s majesty reflected in the largeness of the building…symbols…how significant that Washington DC sits in the shadow of this grand building…   1 Kings 6: 1-13

Welcome George Carruth as he discusses a contract vs. covenant, the 1989 Earthquake in Armenia and of ”a Father’s love”. Genesis 6: 17-18   Luke 22: 14-20

Peter was remarkably different after these experiences.  He struggled a bit with faith and fear in his ‘former life’ but filled a new with the Hoy Spirit, he realizes that these 2 elements of living have to co-exist but also that faith trumps fear…and with great faith he confronts those who had arrested him in an orderly, faithful fashion…his faith put him in a good place.  Can we let our faith keep our fear in its place?  Acts 4.5-12

We welcome Damon Gagnier – Setting the stage; i. Naaman’s great wealth and position. ii. Naaman’s great problem. iii. Do you know Naaman? Listen to today’s sermon and uncover the meaning of F-S-T-B     2 Kings 5: 1-15

HERSHEY’S KISSMOBILE Cruiser, the chocolate lover’s dream machine, is traveling to small towns and large cities across North America bringing smiles to kids of all ages and sharing the message that, “Every kid deserves hugs and kisses” especially HERSHEY’S HUGS and KISSES brand chocolates. Two HERSHEY’S KISSMOBILE Cruisers, each accompanied by two Chocolate Ambassadors, will visit over 70 North American cities, driving more than 75,000 miles. (see hershey’s.com)  There are marketing masters and those who are to market the master.  How do we do that effectively?  What is the advertisement of our lives?  Mark 8: 27-38

Kids Questions 3:  Can I have a brother or sister?  Mommy says Santa does not bring them…who does?  Carter Buckman

Kids Questions 2: re “life and death…What is the thing that separates life and death?”  Parker Ventura    Matthew 12.46-50

Kids Questions 1: “Who created God  and How did God make everything in the world?”  Jordan and Carly Devereaux   Genesis 1-2.3

A panel dialogue around the question:  What difference does being a Christian mean to you and how do you talk about that with others?  Matthew 28: 20 1 Peter 3: 15

A panel dialogue around the question:  What difference does being a Christian mean to you and how do you talk about that with others?   Matthew 28: 20 1 Peter 3: 15

A sermon to commemorate John Calvin’s 500 b-day July 10, 1509 Blessed be the Lord forevermore.  In spite of everything faith in God remains steadfast.   Psalm 89:20-37 Isaiah 40.1-11

The psalmist says God is in citadels.  What does it mean to say that God dwells in this place and that.…this thin veil between God and us…where are these for us?  What do we seek when we go there?  Psalm 48

The psalmist waits FOR THE LORD!  This is huge!  May our waiting have this determination to it…even in the midst of darkness.  Psalm 130
Due to technical difficulties the recording for this Sunday is not audible. The word “Wait” appears in the Bible 89 times. How many times does the word wait or waiting appear in your life?  Please read Paslm 130 and take a moment to reflect how the “song of ascents” fits in your life.

“Debrief last week…Faith in Action? Sharing groups” What were the blessings of our doings?  What next?  What now?  FISHBOWL model with walking teams?  James 1.22-27

Does he sound like thunder?  Maybe birds in the spring?  Or… maybe you can “see” him, more than hearing his voice.  Come in and listen.    Psalm 29

Tiny bearers of light, do you remember them?  When was the last time that you saw a “bunch” of fireflies?  How is “your” light?  Do you radiate the light of God?  Be a light bearer for God.  Or are “other” lights drawing you away from your spiritual commitment?  Remember, The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.  The grass is greener, where it is watered.   John 1:1-5 John 8:12 John 12:35-36 Acts 2: 1-21

“There Once Was a CPA in the Wilderness…is this the start of a good joke?” (we welcome Craig Zellar) – Algonquin park canoeing, Ministers of God, time of reflection, time for prayer, viewing his glorious creation from land and water. Near death experience, but Jesus standing on the water reaching out his had. Close your eyes and listen to todays sermon and experience the assurance of God.  Isaiah 43: 1-7

We welcome Jim Krisher – Nicholas Herman had a powerful conversion in the 1600’s. It was through looking at a tree. Where did he experience the presence of God? In the Monastery? During prayer? When in silence with God? When he was cooking in the kitchen? Listen to today’s sermon to find the answer. You may find your answers here too. Mark 4: 30-32

Scripture calls on us to acknowledge and confess our sins before God with a humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart.  Let us come before Him now, together: We confess, God of Faith, that we ask about someone’s background to see if they are like us, but you look at where their heart is grounded. We examine another’s good looks or athletic prowess, while you take notice of how they reach out to those who are different. We gaze at the size of someone’s house, or car, or portfolio to judge how successful they are, and you observe whether or not they have faith the size of the smallest seed. Forgive us, Anointing God, for looking at those around us with human eyes, and not seeing them as created in your image. As you shape us into new people, give us new eyes, new hearts, new lives to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

What does the person of faith look like? Is the faith-filled person someone who exudes a serene confidence, a calmed and hushed and unperturbed spirit? Or is the faith-filled one the active and always-in-motion kingdom worker who is mostly a kind of holy blur of volunteerism? Is faith a set of convictions that could be counted-cross-stitched and hung on a wall or is faith seen best only when it is put into practice out on the nitty-gritty streets of the real world?  John 15.1-8

Tag team sermon with Pastor Bob and David Bailey. David starts the sermon off with “Shepherd’s Song”. One of the famous “I AM” sayings in John. (But if you look closely in John’s gospel, you will discover that following EVERY ONE of the “I Am” sayings, Jesus gets put down, derided, roughed up, sneered at. So also here: Jesus utters a saying of such lyric power that it has made tears leap to the eyes of believers for two millennia now. But when first Jesus said these words, they called him a lunatic, a demoniac, Satan’s little helper.)
We may need to update the imagery a bit but it’s not too difficult to remind people of their ongoing need for Someone bigger, stronger, and wiser to lead them along life’s paths.
John 10.11-18

To life indeed.  WE are Easter people.  Luke 24:36b-48

Mark ends his gospel with silent, fleeing, fearful women.  And we see them and say:  “Now what?  Certainly the gospel can’t end in silence!  Certainly there must be more to the story!”  Maybe…just may this where WE COME IN!  CERTAINLY…this is Mark’s point.  Mark 16:1-8

Jesus mode of entry was meant to be humble…very different from the way society would expect a grand entrance.  Was Jesus somehow preparing us for what came next…Good Friday et al?   Mark 11: 1-11

After all is said done, there is a light that remains.  (The Voice:  The Liberating King is the one who will remain without end.)  Does the cross block out the light for us altogether or can we see that it remains?   John 12.20-36

Martin Luther calls this verse  “The Gospel in Brief.”  And many people are familiar with this verse, and yet so very few recall its original context: namely, Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus…and death and being born again. Most people assume John 3:16 doesn’t need a context–it’s so beautifully concise that it stands alone just fine. But as New Testament people, we know this is not so.  John 3:14-21

Join the party, taste the wine, smell the warm bread, olives and lamb.  See the familiar face in the crowd, ready to snap.  The whip cracks, shouts start, money on the floor and the freezing of time.  ”There must be room in my House”    John 2: 13-17

How intentional are you on following our servant leader?  How often do you say what can I give rather than what can I get?  Some points of interest in this sermon are the Hinge of the Gospel, the Theological Center of the Bible, the fork in the road.  Reading from Mark 8: 31-38

Chaos doesn’t stand a chance when Jesus shows up for the wilderness is his 2nd home.  I challenge you throughout Lent to confront the wilderness in which you live.  Mark 1:9-15

Ash Wednesday – Our ancestors in the faith used ashes as a sign of repentance, a symbol of the uncertainty and fragility of human life.  Like them, we have tasted the ashes of hopelessness; we have walked through the ashes of our loss and pain; we have stood knee-deep in the ashes of our brokeness.  God of our lives, out of the dust of creation you have formed us and given us life.  May these ashes not only be a sign of our repentance and death, but reminders that by your gift of grace in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, we are granted life forever with you.  Amen.  <To listen, click on the Cross>  Readings from Mathew 6: 1-6, 16-21

It all comes down to simple arithmetic – Jesus + Christ = Glory. Mark 9: 2-9

The Greek word for Pity or Compassion is “splanknizomai”. This is how Jesus was moved to minister to the Leper, to those who sufferd, to you and I. Mark 1: 40-45

What do we bring with us to worship?  Worship is about meeting God and when we do and he shows up anything can happen.  The people were amazed, the text says.  Are we?  reading is Mark 1.21-28

Paul speaks in the Areopagus of the “unknown God”. Discussion on post modern culture which is all around us. Readings from Acts 17:16-31

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation”. Readings from Mathew 28: 19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:27, Acts 1:9, John 20:21

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.”  1Cor. 12.4

Christmas Eve – Isaiah 9.2-7, John 1.1-5 Imagine being in such darkness you cannot even see your hands in front of your face and someone strikes a match!  “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness DOES NOT OVERCOME IT!”  Praise God! <To listen, click on the Manger>

Luke 1.26-38 Can we imagine what was going on in Gabriel’s brain as he brought this news to Mary?  (Was he nervous about how Mary would take it?) Frederick Buechner thinks you might be able to detect a little trembling beneath Gabriel’s wings!  Hmmm!

John 1.6-8, 19-28 Commentator Don Juel says that John ‘is not the light.  He is not the Christ…he his not Elijah, he is not the final prophet.”  So what did he come to do?  (see verse31!)  Is there a way for our lives to point to the One everyone is waiting for?

Mark 13.24-37 The Apocalypse from the Mark 13 reminds us that our state of being between the first Advent of Christ and his second is to be one of watchfulness.  What does this mean?