Public and personal chronic shame has a terrible affect on us. We see it and sense in the woman in this story! The power of Jesus’ love and acceptance yields gratitude and freedom. As our graduates head into the ‘real world’ we will send them to be ambassadors of Christ to lift the burden of shame that runs rampant in our culture.    Luke 7.36-8.3

We live sometimes without Easter joy! There is this quiet and sometimes NOT so quiet gap between sorrow that seems to last a lifetime and God’s promise of joy that comes with the morning. Jesus comes and compassionately fills that gap.      Luke 7.11-17

The ‘two men in white robes’ ask an important question at the ascension of Jesus: “WHY DO YOU STAND LOOKING UP TOWARD HEAVEN?” Why indeed…there’s work to be done, witnesses to make!      Acts1:1-11

This Psalm and the New Testament reading are clearly about a wider view! Acts 16.9-15    Psalm 67

Peter’s question was huge: “Who was I that I could hinder God?” God empowered Peter, an ordinary fisherman to have a profound impact on the mission of the church! That’s the way it has always gone down! As we go about the business of the church the world is watching! Can we broaden the table so everyone has a place? Acts. 11.1-18

This text was always about the big show for me! It was about the RISEN Tabitha… It’s really a text about the gift she had…and that the church couldn’t do without it!     Acts 9.36-43

Catherine Kelsey observes: “This Psalm moves from trouble to relief to thanks no less than four times.” Or from OH! to AH! to THANKS! What are the Psalmist’s resources/helps? Can they be ours as well?    Psalm 30

I’ve been pretty hard on Thomas in years past. Bottom line: he deserves some credit! He touches the faithful skeptic in all of us!    John 20.19-31

Experience teaches that dead is dead and that’s the end. The Easter message says that Jesus lives…AFTER DEATH! When such contradictory claims collide, it only makes sense to continue affirming what we already know. The Easter message challenges us to move for our old beliefs to something new! Why is this so hard for so many when so many find it easy in this day and time to believe many outrageous things! Can we get to: WHAT IF IT’S NOT AN IDLE TALE?    Luke 24.1-12

The accolades were short lived. Jesus was hailed as a ‘king’ ever so briefly. The fact of the matter is the crown he would wear would be a crown of thorns! His throne…a cross. Jesus would be a different kind of king. We will explore just what kind of King Jesus was as we walk through his final week on earth.        Mark 11.1-11

We welcome the Rev Paul Bailey.
You’re walking down the street and coming your way is a person who is wearing dirty clothes, probably poor, maybe even smells.  Would you hug them?  Would you give them money, food, coffee or shelter?  Do you dislike them and look away?

Have “YOU” ever been disliked, shunned, left out, had people dislike YOU?   How did that feel?   Robert Smalls did.   Ben Hooper did.

Jesus hugs, cares and will never turn away.
john 4:3-10

 

If Jesus is not in your boat, who will YOU hang onto at night when the waves are 7 feet high? How’s that workin’ for ya? Mark 4.35-41

Most of us can cruise through the sermon on the mount and have plenty of people in mind who need to hear Jesus’ messages…and then comes Matthew 7.1: “Do not judge so you may not be judged..” Ouch, right? This morning we will think together about the struggles we have with judging OURSELVES as well as others. Matthew 7.1-5

Who are the people who pick you up, tear off the roof and lower you to Jesus? Everyone needs people in their lives who can do this. This morning we will explore our circle of ‘stretcher-bearers’ as we explore Jesus’ healing ministry.   Mark 2.1-12

This morning we are beginning a Lenten sermon series that Pastor Bob and his minister colleagues will doing in our churches this season. The series is based on the new material Adam Hamilton has written called The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus and will supplement the Monday evening Soup, Sandwich and Study time we will be having from 6.30-8PM at the church where we will watch a clip each week of Hamilton’s exploration of the Holy Land. This morning’s sermon will consider Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and what he found successful in dealing with those. Hopefully this consideration might help us in our temptations.   Mark 1.9-13

The Love chapter. Is the perfect match Mr. potato head? Rather than “finding” the right person, why not “Be” the right person. I love an emotion or an action? Unconditional love, Agape.   I Corinthians 13

For a wonderful read, check out Switching to a better partner in the Huffington post. This is a perfect example of Being the perfect match.

So…we’ve read through the Bible…NOW WHAT? The spiritual journey is the journey of a lifetime…and worship is for all days and all time and in a of myriad ways.     Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10

This story is about A LOT of things! Some I’ve never thought about before. Maybe you haven’t either! What if YOU could walk on water? Maybe you can!     Mark 6.45-52

Hollywood has always had a thing for weddings! So did Jesus…and the ‘miracle’ here is that he makes it abundantly clear that he provides for our deepest needs!   John 2.1-11

Unlike Nik Wallenda tip-toeing across Niagara Falls in June of 2012, we clearly have to cross THROUGH the waters of life. This text suggests that there is a way to do that as successfully as Wallenda crossed OVER the water!   Isaiah 43.1-7

Sermon

YouTube Nik Wallend over Niagara Falls