Sermons
Most Recent Sermon
How Do We Move a Mountain?
By guest preacher, Lindsay CrouseHow do we move a mountain? I think it’s a question I think we’re all asking ourselves at this moment. In the passage in Matthew the mountain seems huge and impassable, and the mustard seed insignificantly small. But Christ is saying that a mountain can move and we know that the tiniest seed will produce a tremendous tree. Buddha taught that everything is change, everything is changing, that nothing is permanent or fixed. By the measurements of modern science,...
Previous Sermons
Third Sunday of Easter: A Larger Story
What the heck is going on here? I admit it. I’ve nearly lost my patience. I want this to be over. No more pandemic. No more physical distancing. No more uncertainty. No more life upside down. I’ve had it. How about you? Yes, I want to learn from this crisis....
The Power of Forgiveness
Within the first few days of staying at home because of the pandemic, I noticed something about myself that surprised me. And not in a good way. I’m not sure whether it was because of my fear of Coronavirus or fear of its economic consequences for our country; or if...
Signs of Life
She stood near at his death. She witnessed the horrors of his crucifixion. She went to his tomb. Maybe she didn’t believe he was really gone? How could someone who means so much to her have died? When the earth quaked and an angel appeared, she didn’t need to...
It’s Going to Get Worse
It’s going to get worse. It’s going to get a lot worse. Jesus knew this as he prepared to enter Jerusalem, a city we are told in today’s Gospel that is “in turmoil.” And we know this, as public health experts tell us that the peak of the pandemic here is likely...
To See the Glory of God
Today Jesus asks: "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" What does it mean to see God’s glory in the time of Coronavirus? What does the story of the raising of Lazarus suggest about God’s presence with us now? Think about a time...
Overcoming Isolation
Scripture: Psalm 23 and John 9.1-7 When I was younger, I used to think that the worst thing any of us could experience was death. Then I began to observe a phenomenon while working in Hospice that changed my mind. It wasn’t even intense physical pain or struggles with...
In Need
On Wednesday night I had the privilege of serving at the Open Door with a group of wonderful volunteers from our church community. It turns out we were the last church to serve there before their leadership made the difficult decision to no longer allow community...
Born of the Spirit
“God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” One of the saddest comments I hear on a regular basis comes from my 89 year old father-in-law, Neil. Without fail when either my husband, David, or...
Into the Wilderness
For the First Sunday of Lent, here is a sermon that explores how we navigate our wilderness experiences. May these forty of days of self-examination and reflection be a blessing. *** One of the most unexpected decisions I have ever heard from another person came on...
Encountering Jesus
For Transfiguration Sunday, I was inspired to offer this evocative Gospel passage as a guided meditation with a short sermon to follow May these words help you encounter Jesus within. Guided Meditation for Transfiguration Sunday based on Matthew 17. 1-9 Our scripture...
To Walk in the Ways of the Lord
On the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, February 16, 2020, because of my great affection for the Psalms, I chose to preach on the Psalm of the day. You will find some resources for your own exploration of the Psalms at the end of the sermon. SCRIPTURE: These are the...
You ARE the Light of the World
On Sunday, February 9, 2020 I preached my inaugural sermon as the Settled Pastor of the Annisquam Village Church. Here is the Welcome, Gospel passage, and sermon. May these words inspire your light! *** Good morning and welcome to the Annisquam Village Church. My...