Rev. Timothy J. Ensworth
Irony (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Luke 19:28-40
April 14, 2019
We stand at the head of Holy Week, a week that begins with hosannas of Palm Sunday and ends with the hallelujahs of Easter, a journey from joy to joy.
But it is not an easy journey. We get from here to there, we can only get from here to there, by way of Maundy Thursday, by way of the shock and betrayal and abandonment of Maundy Thursday. … Continue reading ...
Filled with alarm (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 10:32-34
March 18, 2018
Jesus and his disciples were now on the road going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of the disciples, who were filled with alarm …
Jesus was ahead, ahead of them on the road. He did not hesitate. His mind was made up. … Continue reading ...
Only one thing to say (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Ecclesiastes 11:9 – 12:14
November 26, 2017
There is only one thing to say …
After all this, there is only one thing to say …
Useless, useless … It is all useless …
“Hebel,” הבל. The Hebrew word is הבל. We translate it “useless” or “vanity” (“vanity of vanities, all is vanity”) or “emptiness.” … Continue reading ...
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 ...
That you may have life (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
John 20:30-31
April 23, 2017
That you may have life …
That through your faith in him, through your faith in Jesus, you may have life. Then or now? Someday or today? After you die or here and now?
The gospel makes no distinction: that you may have life, then and now, someday and today. … Continue reading ...
Our crucified and risen Savior (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 16:21-26
March 19, 2017
If any of you want to come with me,
you must forget yourself, carry your cross,
and follow me.
For if you want to save your own life,
you will lose it;
but if you lose your life for my sake,
you will find it.… Continue reading ...
For whether we live or whether we die (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Psalm 90:1-12
November 16, 2014
Teach us how short our life is,
so that we may become wise.
How short is our life?
We last no longer than a dream …
We are like a dream … vivid and real, while it lasts … full of wonders and marvels, while it lasts … but when the dawn comes, when we are awakened, the dream is gone, remembered maybe for a short while, but soon forgotten.… Continue reading ...
It’s not fair (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Isaiah 53:6
March 22, 2015
Life isn’t fair.
The University of Northern Iowa Panther men’s basketball team had a better won/loss record than Iowa State, a higher national ranking, and fared equally well against two common opponents, and yet the NCAA selection committee awarded Iowa State a “No. 3” seed and UNI a “No.… Continue reading ...
Be the church: enjoy this life (Click on the sermon title for a pdf copy)
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
May 17, 2015
Be the church …
Protect the environment
Because it is God’s handiwork and because it is precious to God.
Care for the poor
Because they are God’s handiwork and because they are precious, especially precious to God.
Forgive often
Because God has forgiven you.… Continue reading ...
Love is happy with the truth (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 7:13-14
February 5, 2017
So, what is it that is on everybody’s mind today? I’ll give you a hint. It’s not a football game.
I am used to over-the-top Super Bowl hype, all Super Bowl, all the time, news coverage of every little detail. What is Tom Brady eating for breakfast on the big day?… Continue reading ...