Sermons

This morning’s scripture is dense- there is a lot of input in a short span. It reminds me of a logic puzzle- do we have any fans of those here? Let’s give it a try: you may want to jot down your answer Logic Puzzle: Five people were eating apples, A finished before B,...

Sermon by Tara Olsen Allen | Jan. 12, 2020 I love that we begin each new calendar year during the liturgical season of Epiphany. I ask you to look at the stars hanging around the sanctuary for a moment- take in their shimmer and shine and listen to these words, 1...

“When we do justice we are set free from the bonds of injustice and we show God that we love God by working to see that all have what they need

When we love kindness we are embracing compassion, mercy and grace. We are set free from the bonds of fear anger and hatred. WE show God that we love God by sharing kindness and compassion, mercy and grace with every one we meet.

When we walk humbly with our God, we not only embrace humility but we let go of vanity and pride. We love God by living simply, honestly and authentically.”

Forgiveness is more about a realization on our part and a letting go in our heart of the sin/debt/transgression that needs to be forgiven.
This work is also empowering work. Work that frees us from carrying burdens and holding grudges.

“Bringing people together in the name of Christ is a beautiful powerful thing. However, embracing diversity includes naming the ways we are different and honoring them. We need to be careful that we do not assume we know where another person is coming from. We need to do our best to listen to each other’s stories, to hear where each other is coming from.

This is tough stuff. This passage is challenging us AND empowering us to live boldly into Christian community with one another. Whether we look alike or smell different. Whether we dress the same or think differently. Whether we come from the same background or are spread out on the political spectrum.”

I want you to take a look at the front cover of your bulletin- these are the exact words that are on the Be the Church banner and they will be the focus of our worship services throughout the summer months- Live out your faith in some very specific ways- Last week we...

Why do we come to church?  Seriously- why do you come to church? A few weeks ago, I was working in my office and I noticed a gentleman outside of the building taking pictures and looking at the rainbow banner we have on our building. I went out and asked him if I...

This morning, I had a whole sermon prepared about music and singing to further honor our musical folks and the importance of music in our lives, but then this week happened and my heart has been breaking into little pieces with each news story I see. And I thought,...

In the lectionary last week and this week we have two stories of call- last week we heard Isaiah’s vision of being called to be a prophet of God by a larger than life being with angels and smoke swirling around him. This week we hear a different call story. This week...