Sermons

“The Very Worst Thing That Can Happen” by Pastor Carmen Horst Okanya Luke 19:29-40 – I was drawn to the religious leaders’ request to Jesus to “make it stop!” Their protest was a strong reaction from their own fear of future loss. This is my attempt to humanize the Pharisees and to increase our grace for them, for really they are us. And Jesus goes relentlessly toward the cross for us all.

Isaiah 43:16-21 – “Forget the prior things” – even the good things that God has done. Because God is making a new way. It will not look like what God has done in the past (making a dry path through a watery sea). It will be something we could not imagine without help: watery streams through a dry desert. Praise the Lord! “Just Forget It” by Jonathan Landis, Minister of Music

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – The Lost Son is Jesus’ story of the good news that God is the one who is on the side of the lost! There are so many ways to be lost, but, as Pastor Stan reminded us, the church is a place where all who feel lost can be found and celebrated. Let’s get celebrating! “A Running God” by Pastor Stan

Isaiah 55:1-9 – What hungers do we have? Relational hungers? Spiritual thirst? Gnawing, physical hunger? God initiates a relationship with people who have hungers of all kinds. God offers satisfaction and nourishment to all who are bruised and beaten, struggling and searching. It costs nothing! And it will take all you have to accept God’s invitation! “Hey, You!” by Pastor Stan Shantz

Luke 13:31-35 – Jesus compares himself to a mother hen who knows the dangers out there, who spreads her wings longingly to save her chicks and never lifts them up,even though she may lose her life. “Hens and Chicks” by Pastor Carmen Horst Okanya