(Sunday, November 22 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Luke 17:1-9

Hymns: We Gather Together; Let All Things Now Living; Now Thank We All Our God

Sermon: “Thanksgiving” by Rev. James Reisner

Memory is at the heart of Thanksgiving. When I sit down to Thanksgiving dinner I am always aware of Thanksgivings past. I can visualize my parents and grandparents, my uncles and aunts, those with whom I once sat at table who are gone.

In this most unusual year, many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a different way, apart from family and friends. As we sit at smaller tables this year, let us remember other years and larger tables and give thanks for the people with whom we have shared the feast which is this life.

(Sunday, November 15 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Selections from Job chapters 38 & 42; Mark 8:34-38

Hymns: Gather Us In; Take up Your Cross, the Savior Said; We Give Thee but Thine Own; Take My Life

Sermon: “The Art of Losing Graciously” by Rev. James Reisner

The Bible is filled with people who contend with God. Jacob wrestles with an angel in the night. Job argues against his harsh circumstances and asserts his righteousness before God. The Psalmist often laments her condition and pleads to God for redress of her complaints.

In the Bible, and in our faith, it is appropriate to contend with God. We are allowed our complaints, and God counts them as prayers. Yet, the end and aim of all our wrestling with God is to lose.

(Sunday, November 8 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Amos 5:14-15,21-24; Mark 4:34-41

Hymns: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee; My Shepherd Will Supply My Need; Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Sermon: “The Storm Outside; the Storm Within” by Rev. James Reisner

We have all been tossed to and fro this week with the changing landscape of the election. God is both dynamic and constant amidst all the many changes of this life. One thing I know about God is that God has the capacity to still the storm in my own heart.

(Sunday, November 1 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-7, 18-24; Matthews 5:1-12

Hymns: The Church’s One Foundation; When Memory Fades; For All the Saints

Sermon: “Blessed” by Rev. James Reisner

“When we can reach beyond our fears to the One who loves us with a love that was there before we were born and will be there after we die; then oppression, persecution, even death will be unable to take our freedom,” wrote Henri Nouwen. No matter what happens this coming Tuesday, we still belong to God.

(Sunday, October 25 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-4; Romans 1:16-17, 3:19-24

Hymns: I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art; Our God, Our Help in Ages Past; A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Sermon: “What's Your Motivation” by Rev. Jim Reisner

One of the theological principles of our Reformed tradition is the doctrine of total depravity. That sounds kind of bleak, doesn’t it? What it means is that we are all screwed up. We’re all screwed up but God loves us anyway. The upside of all this is that since there is nothing we can do to affect our own salvation, then the only response is gratitude.

You can do a whole lot worse than if your purpose in life is gratitude.

Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (live-streaming)

Scripture: Leviticus 19 (selections); Luke 10:38-42

Hymns: God is Calling through the Whisper; For All the Faithful Women; The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound

Sermon: Happiness Isn’t a Room without a Roof

In the well-known story, the sisters, Mary and Martha, welcome Jesus under their roof. Hospitality is an important and time-honored practice in both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. The heat and rugged terrain of the Middle East took its toll on travelers. How longed-for was a roof or a tent that could offer some relief from the noonday heat in a weary land.

(Sunday, October 11 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Psalm 2; Matthew 5:38-48

Hymns: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian; Why Do Nations Rage Together; In an Age of Twisted Values

Sermon: “Praying for Pharaoh” by Rev. Jim Reisner

I have had several conversations lately about how hard it is to pray right now. Our anger and outrage make it hard to pray for people who are doing harm to the poor and the refugee families. How do we pray for the oppressor? How do we pray for Pharaoh?

(Sunday, October 4th at 11 AM, World Communion Sunday Service, St. Francis of Assisi Day, Live-Streamed on Zoom)

This Sunday is also Invitation to Dream Sunday for our Capital Campaign.

Scripture: Isaiah 58:4-13; Ephesians 3:14-21

Hymns: O For a World; Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken; In Christ There is No East or West

Service Preview (Online):

Sermon:  “An Invitation to Dream” by Rev. James Reisner

When the nation of Judah returned to Jerusalem after years of captivity in Babylon, they began to rebuild their devastated cities.

The restoration of Israel was about rebuilding walls, yes, but even more so, it was about restoring justice, decency, humanity, joy, faith, hope, love. A commitment to rebuilding our roof is all about everything that happens under that roof.