Things to Ponder

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9

 

Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice, Associate Conference Minister for the Central Atlantic Conference, UCC, was with us this Sunday to bring greetings and a message! Alloys are created when multiple metals are joined together, bringing the best characteristics of each to bear on a new thing. The apostle Peter tells us that in light of Christ's resurrection, we will go through hard times. But it is our alloyed strength that will see us through.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

 

Sermon Text: Matthew 28:1-10

 

How do we get from a crucified Messiah to Easter? How do we get stories of the apostles being murdered and early Christians gathering in holes and caves to tell this story? How do we get martyrs and mystics? How do we get abolitionists and peace activists? How do we get teachers and leaders and pastors and volunteers who talk to you with that look in their eye, that tone in their voice, that communicates love and faith, and hope? Because this happened. And it has been told down through the ages, one person to another, until today. And you're invited to believe it.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Sermon Text: Mark 11:1-11

 

On Palm Sunday, Jesus proclaims himself as King as he rides to Jerusalem on a donkey, and the peasant crowds cry out, "Hosanna!" come save us! But from the other side, Pilate rides in on a warhorse, accompanied by soliders. The stage is set: two ways of looking at the world, two ideas of salvation. And we are left with a choice. Some of us have never made a choice for Christ; we've received him as a hand-me-down. Palm Sunday invites all followers of Jesus to consider: is this the King we want?

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

 

Sermon Text: John 11:1-45

 

As we've walked this Lenten journey, we've told stories and discovered lessons. But...we don't need Jesus for any of them. But Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus is making a bigger, more remarkable claim. Jesus is more than good stories and moral platitudes. He joins us to the very point of death. And he asks if we believe this. If we are to be people of faith, we must deal with Jesus.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Sermon Text: John 4:1-41

 

Through your life, God is shedding light on who God is and what God is doing in the world, no turning back. And that story is a gift which makes claims about Christ and his Kingdom. In today's gospel, Jesus changes a man's story forever, but that story falls under scrutiny. Yet though it all, the man grows in his understanding of Christ and his boldness in sharing his story. For us who struggle to know our place, to understand our purpose, the invitation is clear: let Christ show you who you are and who you are being made to be, and the critics can get out.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Text:  John 4:5-42

 

To become a part of the body of Christ is a wonderful thing. But when we create an "us," we also create a "them." So how do we handle this basic human instinct? Jesus shows us how as he meets a Samaritan woman. He acknowledges the differences, but never tries to "win." Rather, he meets the woman in her deepest needs, and in doing so, changes her life and the life of her community. That's the power of the Church: Us FOR Them.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Sermon Text: John 3:1-17

 

Ultimately, Jesus is not asking us to adhere to certain beliefs or a certain behaviors. He offers us a new self. And we’re either going to decide to stay exactly where we are – we’ve worked hard to get here, of course – or we’ll take the leap. A logic-defying, risk-it-all, never-look-back leap of faith. A leap that believes the spirit will blow wherever it wants to, far outside the bounds of what you consider “proper religion.” Why? Because “God so loved the world.” God took a leap when Jesus came and took on flesh.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

 

Text: Exodus 16; Luke 24:27-35

 

Altar calls offer a powerful emotional response to the creative Word of God. The response to God’s Word has to be personal; God’s love must be met with a response, with our bodies and our intentions and our will. Why don't liturgical traditions have such a tradition? It turns out that we do. In the sacraments, we respond to the death and resurrection of Christ with all of our lives. When we participate in the sacraments, we participate in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and there find God's love and mercy in abundance.

Bonus Content:  We had some great thoughts and questions come in about liturgy and the sacraments, so let's have some fun with religion, history, philosophy, and science.  Maybe the sacraments create enchantment, and that is good for our bodies!  It begins at 21:00, for those who want to skip ahead:-)

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Text: Revelation 10:9-10; Luke 24:17-27

 

Ours is a faith based in words, and those words carry meaning. We should therefore let our words be shaped by the community, which is what we find in the Bible. When we encounter those words with deep hearing and faith, they create the realities they proclaim - new things are created, forgiveness is given, relationships are built. As a people, then, we are invited to fall in love with the Scriptures as a way of seeing the world made new.

 

Bonus Content!  We've added a story at the end, the story of a famous Christian whose life changed because of the Scriptures.  And, by the way, his changed your life as well.  It begins at 24:00 minutes.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Text: Philippians 4:4-9; John 15:9-17

 

We participate in worship because we seek joy, but joy comes from relationship and common purpose. Worshipping with and for others is where we develop the capacity for joyful worship, discerning the Communty past, present, and future.

 

Follow St. Mary's: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysunite... https://www.instagram.com/stmarysucc/

 

Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...