Signs and wonders

Signs and wonders (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Acts 9:36-41
May 12, 2019

Oh, my!  That’s what I said to myself when I saw that this was the lectionary text for this Sunday.  Oh, my!

Peter said, “Get up,” to the dead woman … and she did.

Oh, my!  What are we going to do with this?… Continue reading ...

You are Job

You are Job (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Job 38:1-41
October 21, 2018

You are Job.

You are Job, living in a world filled with suffering and mystery, with bewildering grief and distressing uncertainty, a world you can never fully understand and a world that often breaks your heart.

You are Job, living in a world that doesn’t follow the rules, where the righteous are not always rewarded, a world where doing the right thing is no guarantee of success or praise or love.… Continue reading ...

Still running the race of faith

Still running the race of faith (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Hebrews 12:1-2
Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
March 11, 2018

Happy anniversary!

We are glad to be invited to help you celebrate the 27th anniversary of Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.  We were here two years ago on a Sunday morning to celebrate your 25th anniversary. … Continue reading ...

Life in all its fullness

Life in all its fullness (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
John 10:1-10
May 7, 2017

Jonathan Yarngo has made his home among us.  He was born in Liberia, but he has lived for twelve years now in the United States, in Minnesota and in Iowa.  Four years ago, Jonathan became a naturalized citizen of this country.

Jonathan Yarngo has made his home among us, the members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ family. … Continue reading ...

The man of Nazareth

the man of Nazareth (Click
on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 15:21-28
March 12, 2017

I am not the same person I was 22 1/2 years ago.  Are you?  I’m not the same minister I was 22 1/2 years ago.  I have changed, significantly, since I have been here among you.  I don’t think in the same way. … Continue reading ...

May the Lord spare you an untested faith

May the Lord spare you an untested faith (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Genesis 22:1-14
June 29, 2014

Some time later God tested Abraham …

God tested Abraham?  Why?  Hasn’t he been tested enough already?

Asked to leave home, family, everything that was familiar, to go to a new land that God would show him …

Made a promise of many descendants, but waiting and waiting, waiting until he was a very old man before Isaac, the son of the promise, was born …

Already having to give up one son, already losing Ishmael …

Why test Abraham again?… Continue reading ...

By faith alone

By faith alone (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Philippians 3:4-11
October 5, 2014

Let’s begin with a quiz.  I will give you a quote and I want you to tell me if it is from the Old Testament or New Testament.

The Lord is merciful and loving, slow to become angry and full of constant love.

It’s from the Old Testament, from the Psalms.… Continue reading ...

Fear not!

Fear not! (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Luke 1:5-16
December 7, 2014

Fear is the default.  Fear is the default human attitude, which means that we respond to the challenges of our lives out of fear, unless something is done proactively to change our hearts.

We began our Advent last week with that claim.  Fear is the default. … Continue reading ...

Your faith has made you well

Your faith has made you well (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 10:46-52
October 25, 2015

Bartimaeus was loud.  I am quiet.

Bartimaeus was aggressive.  I am restrained.

Bartimaeus was demanding.  I am acquiescent.

Bartimaeus was impudent.  I am polite.

Bartimaeus was blind.  I can see.

Bartimaeus had faith.  And I ……  Maybe I am the one who cannot see.… Continue reading ...

He is coming

He is coming (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Jeremiah 33:14-16
November 29, 2015

Once upon a time …

That’s how all the good stories begin!  Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived …

… a dragon, a big bad wolf, a jealous queen, a wicked step-mother,

… a pale-skinned princess, a boy made of wood, a homely duckling, a girl with a red cape,

… a woodsman with a axe, a puppeteer, a jester playing a flute, an old man spinning straw, a fairy godmother with a wand, a half-dozen or so dwarves with pickaxes and shovels,

… and you! … Continue reading ...