Guest Preacher

This week, Lydia explores Ephesians 2:1-10, considering the meaning of “grace.” How does grace “save” us? What does it mean to follow the way of God rather than “the ways of the world”?

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…

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?

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 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

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?

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…

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.