This Sunday’s Worship: September 13
(Sunday, September 13 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Exodus 14:10-16,21-31; Romans 6:3-11
Hymns: God the Sculptor of the Mountains; Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain; How Firm a Foundation
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “A Way Through the Waters” by Rev. James Reisner
Walter Brueggemann describes the Israelites passage through the Red Sea waters as the “primal saving event.” It sets forth the idea that God calls people from bondage to freedom, that God provides, that God will never abandon, and that, therefore, we will not fear. All these ideas find expression in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This Sunday’s Worship: September 6
(Sunday, September 6 at 10 AM, Communion Service, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Exodus 10:1-20; II Corinthians 4:5-12
Hymns: All People That on Earth Do Dwell; When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land; Bread of the World in Mercy Broken; All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “Faith in a Time of Plague” by Rev. James Reisner
It is hard to explain what might be in the heart of a tyrant. How can we understand the irrational and harmful acts of a national leader in a time of plagues? The challenge of comprehending evil has been difficult for every religious tradition. Why does God allow suffering? Where is God in a pandemic, or the subjugation or enslavement of one people by another?
This Sunday’s Worship: August 30
(Sunday, August 30 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15; Colossians 1:15-20
Hymns: God You Spin the Whirling Planets; O God, in a Mysterious Way; God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery inside an Enigma” by Rev. James Reisner
Shortly after the end of World War II, Winston Churchill referred to Russia as “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” That phrase can easily be applied to what experienced in the hills of Midian when Moses came upon a bush that was on fire yet not being consumed by the flames. When Moses attempts to familiarize himself with the One speaking to him, he says, in effect, what do I call you? God’s response is: “I AM WHO I AM. Tell the Israelites ‘I AM’ has sent you to them.”
This Sunday’s Worship: August 23
(Sunday, August 23 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Exodus 1:8-2:10; Luke 20:20-26
Hymns: Live Into Hope; Precious Lord, Take My Hand; How Great Thou Art
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “Creative Resistance” by Rev. James Reisner
The Book of Genesis ends with the 12 sons of Israel and all of their kinfolk relocating to Egypt during a famine. As the Book of Exodus begins, the deeds of Joseph are long-forgotten, and Pharaoh perceives the many Hebrews living in Egypt as a threat. Pharaoh calls for the midwives of Egypt to kill the Hebrew male babies at birth, but the midwives resist. In the midst of this resistance, we hear the story of the birth of one Hebrew baby, Moses, and how this baby comes to grow up in Pharaoh’s own household.

This Sunday’s Worship: August 16
(Sunday, August 16 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 8:26-39 (sections)
Hymns: You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim; If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee; Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “What God Intends for Good” by Rev. Jim Reisner
We continue with the Joseph narrative this Sunday. Joseph has become the second in command in all of Egypt. The prosperity and then famine that he predicted in his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream has come true.
This Sunday’s Worship: August 9
(Sunday, August 9 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Genesis 41: 15-32, Philippians 1:3-14
Hymns: The God of Abraham Praise, Open My Eyes, That I May See, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “A Vision for the Future” by Rev. Jim Reisner
From Genesis we hear about Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. From the story of 7 healthy cows being devoured by 7 unhealthy cows, Joseph divines that there will be 7 years of prosperity followed by 7 years of severe famine. He is appointed commerce secretary of Egypt and prepares them for the challenge to come.
This Sunday’s Worship: August 2
(Sunday, August 2 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31; Matthew 14:13-21
Hymns: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above, Fight the Good Fight, Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “Wrestling with God” by Rev. Jim Reisner
We invite you to prepare your own table for communion. Find a piece of bread, fill your cup, and join in the celebration of the sacrament.
This Sunday’s Worship: July 26
(Sunday, July 26 at 10 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Psalm 8; John 9:1-41
Hymns: Oh for a Thousand Tounges to Sing, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Amazing Grace
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon: “Could God Be Up to Something?”
Guest Preacher: Rev. Steve Eastman
Worship Leader: Rev. John Seaman

This Sunday’s Worship: July 19
(Sunday, July 19 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed on Zoom)
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43; Romans 8:14-25
Hymns: When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise, Once to Ev’ry Man and Nation, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
Service Preview (Online):
Homily: Rev. Eugene Eastman
Homily continued with Reflection and Sharing in Small Groups
This will be a special service co-created by members of the Committed Racial Mindfulness Ministry, mixing the old with the new.
This Sunday’s Worship: July 12
(Sunday, July 12 At 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 5:43-48
Hymns: When Morning Gilds the Skies, Help Us Accept Each Other, I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
Sermon Title: “Weird Christianity”, Rev. Michael Lindvall
This Sunday's Worship: July 5
(Sunday, July 5 At 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)
Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:17-21; Matthew 5:43-48
Hymns: Lord, You give the Great Commission; Eat This Bread; Here in This Place
Sermon Title: "Mañana…tomorrow…” by Rev. Carolyn Tilley
We invite you to prepare your own table for communion. Find a piece of bread, fill your cup, and join in the celebration of the sacrament.

This Sunday's Worship: June 28
(Sunday, June 28 At 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)
Scripture: Psalm 13; Romans 4:13-21
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon Title: "How Long?” by Rev. Jim Reisner
“Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things – the weather, human relationships, the economy, the political situation and so on – will get better. Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God’s promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.” – Henri Nouwen
“Hope dies last.” – Studs Terkel

This Sunday's Worship: June 21
(Sunday, June 21 At 11 AM,, Live-Streamed On Zoom)
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10 ; John 15:1-9
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon Title: "Like a Tree" by Rev. Jim Reisner
"They are like trees planted by streams of water." -- Psalms 1:4

This Sunday's Worship: June 14
(Sunday, June 14 At 11 Am, More Light Sunday, Live-Streamed On Zoom)
Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-2, 6-8 ; Acts 11:1-18
Service Preview (Online):
Sermon Title: "When God Wants Something Done" by Rev. Jim Reisner
God is in the sending business. When God wants something done, God sends a person. God sent Moses to Egypt so that Pharaoh will let God's people go. God sent Jeremiah to Babylon to promise that at long last God will bring people home. God sent Elijah to undo Ahab and David to take down Goliath. God sent Peter to Cornelius to include the Gentiles in the early church. God sent Luther, Calvin, Knox and Wesley to their moments in time to bring about reform in the church. God sent Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Desmond Tutu, Rick Ufford-Chase, and Jane Spahr because God wanted to get something done.

This Sunday's Worship: June 7
(Sunday, June 7 At 11 Am, Pentecost Sunday, Live-Streamed On Zoom)
Scripture:
Psalm 46 ; Matthew 7:21-29
Sermon Title: "The Art of Listening" by Rev. Jim Reisner
At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers some caution to people who might too easily use the Lord's name to promote their cause. Jesus says not everyone who prophesies in the name of the Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven…