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Once a month until she retired in June, Pastor Sondra revisited one of her favorite sermons from the past ten years, one of her “Greatest Hits.” The sermon may focus on a significant event in the life of our church or an issue in the news. Remembering how God has been at work in the past will help give us confidence for the future.
Christ the Cornerstone - In July of 2007, the recession was deepening, making for anxious times. People were competing with each other for jobs and shrinking resources. Even the church can become infected with anxiety and competition. What brings us together? What is the best foundation for our lives? Read Ephesians 2:11-22 (NRSV) for the message that Pastor Sondra revisits from July 2007.
Hope - Physicians have seen that people who have hope are less likely to experience depression and more likely to recover from illness. Hoping for a messiah kept the people of Israel alive through centuries of oppression. What is the basis of our hope? How does God rescue us? Read Psalm 130 (NRSV) for Pastor Sondra’s sermon, “Hope,” first preached on December 8, 2008.
After the Fire - Sooner or later, loss comes to everyone. Mark Twain said that great grief is like having your house burn down—it takes years to discover what you’ve lost. What gives us strength to rebuild when our dreams are ashes? How do we persevere in the midst of grief and loss? Read Acts 1:4-8 (NRSV) for the message that Pastor Sondra revisits from November 1, 2009.
Bible 2 - Divorce. Homosexuality. Leadership of women. What do we do when we disagree with passages in the Bible? How do we handle disagreements with other Christians about what the Bible means? Today we’ll look at the issue of homosexuality as a test case on how to interpret the Bible and apply it to our daily lives. Read Romans 1:26-32 and Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV) to prepare for the message.
Bible 1 - A protestor holds up a Bible and a sign that says, “God hates fags.” A soldier pats the New Testament in his pocket before going out on patrol. A parent quotes the 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” when confronting a child about shoplifting. The Bible has shaped behavior and belief for 2000, yet people of faith handle it very differently. What kind of book is this? What can we expect from it? Read Hebrews 4:12 (NRSV) to prepare for the message.