Sermons from Richmond Beach UCC

Maundy Thursday Service

2012-04-10T18:31:46Z

Our communion table tonight is Jesus’ Table of Welcome, an inspiring art installation by liturgical artist Kris Garratt. It consists of a table and 13 chairs seated at the table, 12 of which represent segments of society that have been considered outcast or excluded. Members and friends of Seattle’s University Congregational Church were asked to offer suggestions as to who should be represented at this table, a table of inclusion, and what items should be present on the table itself. Those suggestions were used to create the table and each chair. Congregational input was also requested for the representation of Jesus. Jesus was described visually as “partying, laughing, Middle Eastern, welcoming, and edgy (Black, female, ethnic). His face is a composite image including many of these elements. Most people giving their suggestions felt Jesus should be portrayed as a prophet among leaders of other faiths. That suggestion was incorporated by displaying the Golden Rule from different faith traditions on the back side of his chair. We are very grateful to Kris Garrett for providing the table for our use during Holy Week.

Incapacitating Fear

2012-02-19T18:33:00Z

Imagine yourself on a mountain top and seeing Jesus, in dazzling white, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. What is your reaction – elation? Fear? Puzzlement? The disciples were afraid, according to the passage in Mark and at the same time probably elated and puzzled. What was going on here? Peter wanted to stay in this place – after all, here were two very important prophets of his Judaic faith as well as the teacher whom he followed. Why not stay at the feet of these men?

Great Expectations

2012-02-12T23:00:00Z

In recent weeks, we’ve been having some fun with the gospel of Mark and his special penchant for hyperbole. And this week, we’ve got a leprosy story to boot. I tell ya … There ain’t nothing’ like a good leprosy healing to make us believe. Leprosy? Gone? I’m a believer! You got my vote, God! I BELIEVE! Now about this little ache I got in my knee ….

World Communion Sunday

2011-10-02T17:49:00Z

Today is World Communion Sunday -- a celebration begun by the Presbyterian Church in 1937, now celebrated by Christians, Protestant and Catholic, around the world. Today Christians from every culture break bread and pour wine or juice together. We may have different practices, different theological understandings for sharing this meal; but on this day, men, women, and children of every language, color, and nationality gather in fields, straw huts, brick schools, wooden shacks, stone cathedrals, this sanctuary to praise God and entering into physical and spiritual communion with one another.

Tis A Gift To Be Humble – Servant Power

2011-09-25T22:43:00Z

Servant Power, the title of this sermon -- I looked up those words in Merriam Webster. The first definition of servant -- one that serves others, especially one that performs duties about the person or home of a master. Definition of power, same source -- possession of control, authority, or influence over others. Using those definitions, the phrase Servant Power seems an oxymoron, at the very least a paradox, something contradictory or opposed to common sense, yet perhaps true

Christ’s Call to Us

2011-09-04T20:00:00Z

When I look at or listen to the news, it’s easy to get pessimistic and wonder what’s the use. We can get trapped by pessimism. UCC pastor, Donna Schaper, calls it a soft cage – a prison to which we consent and even encourage. You know – the attitude of there’s nothing to be done; I can’t do anything about it – Congress needs to and they’re not doing anything but causing more problems. Or there’s too many people who don’t see the importance of making changes. We’re stuck with poverty, homelessness, crime, war, unequal access to health care, or a myriad of other issues. Do we dare hope for a better world?

Spirit-led Living

2011-08-28T19:43:00Z

This passage contains one of Jesus’ hardest sayings. “If anyone would come after me, he says to his disciples, “let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.“ These words of Jesus come in the midst of an exchange with Peter:, Jesus telling his disciples what was coming: his great suffering, being killed, and then rising on the third day, and Peter’s vehement reaction: God forbid it, Lord. This must never happen to you.” For Peter a violent death was unthinkable for the messiah he was following. Certainly it could be avoided. It was as if Peter said to Jesus: Don’t walk into this trap. Why take the risk of going into Jerusalem.

Sunday, August 21st

2011-08-21T22:55:00Z

Please take a moment to listen to Sunday's Sermon.

Ten Texts

2011-08-14T16:36:00Z

If I were to list for you my 10 favorite texts from scripture, the passage we just read wouldn’t likely be one of them. Even though I usually preach on the recommended Sunday readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, this is one of those weeks when I might ordinarily be tempted to choose a different topic.

Hiding in Plain Sight

2011-07-24T21:15:00Z

I often find myself with people who not only don’t go to church but who are skeptical or even hostile about religion. When they hear that I’m a minister, the conversation either stops altogether or their facial expression reads: why would you ever do that?! Sometimes they ask politely: How did you ever become a minister?