Most weeks, our worship leader offers a 15–20 minute sermon based on the Scripture texts for the day.
Our regular preacher is pretty versatile. She’ll tell stories, pull together different ideas, lead a meditation, give the congregation an “assignment” to talk about in twos or threes, show a slide show or video, or sometimes even sing to the congregation. The sermon functions to deepen our reflection on the Scripture themes of the day, and often leaves us with a challenge or a question.
Scripture texts are outlined in the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Ark of the Covenant
The text this week is 2 Samuel 6:1-23, the moving of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a complicated text that includes celebrations, trumpets, cakes, blessings as well as a death, some fear, and a spousal disagreement. In the sermon this week, Lydia focuses on the death of Uzzah, exploring the meaning of the…
Astheneia
In 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Paul declares, “power is perfected in weakness,” and “for when I am weak, then I am strong.” These are confusing phrases, yet powerful ones. This week, Lydia considers how weakness (“astheneia” in Greek) implies “unravelling.” How can unravelling give us strength? How can untangling ourselves lead to wholeness and new life?
The Hem of God
This week, Lydia preaches on the stories of the woman with the hemorrhages and the healing of the young girl in Mark 5:21-43, two “wonder” stories that go against the typical wonder-story structure. What do these stories tell us about belief and trust in God? What might touching the hem of God be like?
The Living God
The scripture this week is 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 16-23, 32-49, the story of David and Goliath. Lydia explores how the Deuteronomistic Historians interwove multiple Davidic traditions into our scripture, depicting a very complicated character in David, both very faithful and very human. The Caravaggio painting referenced can be found here: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/david-with-the-head-of-goliath/c3895900-73d4-4257-97fb-240e3aaf0402
The Mysterious Seed
Lydia preaches on Mark 4:26-34, focusing on the Parable of the Growing Seed. What could this seemingly unexciting parable tell us about the Reign of God? What is the importance of this mysterious little seed? And, how can parables help us to see our world in new and beautiful ways?
Identifying God, Identifying Ourselves
Lydia takes a look at Mark 3:20-35, exploring how the authors of Mark intertwine two stories, “The True Kindred of Jesus” and “Jesus and Beelzebul,” into one story, highlighting the theme of identity. What is the identity of Jesus? And what does Jesus’ identity say about us? Who is our mother? Who are our brothers…
Ordinary Times
Lydia explores the meaning of the “Season of Ordinary Times,” considering 2 Corinthians 4:5-12. Paul’s language of “life” and “death” as well as his use of “servant” can help us to make sense of the cycles in our own lives and our own calls to Christian discipleship and servanthood.
Defining God?
Gabrielle explores the Trinity by considering the ways we define and approach God in our daily lives.
A Letter from Betty
Mother’s Day at Crossroads is always an opportunity for us to celebrate our relationship with the Mama Orphans Children’s Home (MOCH) in Busia, Kenya. This morning, since our text was the “greeting” from the letter to the Ephesians, we also heard a letter from Betty Emmenica (the daughter of Mama who is now the administrator…
Promotion to Joy
Following on last week’s sermon (on addiction) Rev. Cari preaches today on John 15:9-17, part of Jesus’ extended words to his disciples before his death, when he commands them to love one another. In this text, he also “promotes” his disciples from followers (or subordinates) to friends, and declares that “there is no greater love…