Sermon: “Heart-Deep”

"Heart-Deep" (March 22, 2015) God promises to write God's covenant on our hearts, but what does that mean? What does it really look like to learn God's love and grace by heart? (Jeremiah 31:31-34) --- This sermon describes an event from early in my ministry that was challenging and disturbing. Trigger warnings: death, murder, violence,…

Sermon: Subversive Salvation

"Subversive Salvation" (March 15, 2015) God's grace has a mysterious way of turning upside-down our expectations and subverting the things of pain and loss into opportunities for transformation. Rather than take from us the pain of life, God transforms pain into hope. Where are we in need of that promise today? (Numbers 21:4-9)

Sermon: Prohibitions and Promises

"Prohibitions and Promises" (March 8, 2015) Not only do we tend to resist being told what to do, but we strip faith of its power when we reduce it to a series of do's and don't's. What if, instead, we viewed the Word of God as a promise and a vision of who we are…

Sermon: When All is Lost

"When All is Lost" (March 1, 2015- 23rd anniversary of the burning of Lebanon UMC) Church member Jeanette H. remembers the burning of the church more than two decades earlier, and the congregation that worked together to rebuild afterward. As we reflect on loss, we hear again God's promise of hope-- sometimes the hardest promise to…