The story of Daniel and the Lions (Daniel 6:6-27) is one often taught to children in Sunday School. In her sermon, Pastor Cara Scriven unpacks this interesting story helping to draw out connections to the season of Advent (Gospel of John 1:1-5) and the challenging time within which we are living today.
Sermon: Holding on to Hope
In this week's scripture lesson (Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; then 31:31-34), the prophet Jeremiah produces a scroll calling for repentance, but the king burns it. Pastor Melinda Giese finds a few similarities between the kingdom of Judah Jeremiah was writing in and the difficult times we are living in.
Despite the dire prophecy, Jeremiah promises a new covenant, written on the heart. Pastor Melinda finds hope for us in this too.
Sermon: Hope Amidst Destruction
During a time of upheaval, the prophet Isaiah received a vision of God, responding affirmatively to God's question, "Whom shall I send?" In her sermon, Pastor Cara Scriven considers Isaiah's vision and response — "Here I am; send me." — in the context of our equally tumultuous times.
Sermon: Jonah and the Shrub
In this week's scripture lesson (Jonah 4:1-11), we find Jonah angry because God destroyed a shrub during the night. God responds by asking Jonah a question that is a relevant one for us as well according to Pastor Cara Scriven.
Sermon: The Power of Kindness
In this week's scripture lesson (1 Kings 17:1-16), we find the Prophet Elijah relying on the generosity of a widow during a drought. How the woman is impacted by her generosity holds a lesson for us according to Pastor Cara Scriven
Sermon: Temple Wisdom
In this week's scripture lesson (2 Samuel 7:1-17), we encounter the interesting story of a powerful biblical figure being told "no" as he moves to consolidate power by building a temple to house God. Pastor Melinda Giese helps us to understand what this story might mean in a time when worship has necessarily moved well beyond the sanctuary.
Sermon: Hannah's Prayer
Sermon: Choosing Openness
Our scripture reading this week finds the Hebrew people impatient and restless, going back to what they already know as they grow tired of waiting for Moses (Exodus (32:1-14). In her message, Pastor Cara Scriven explores these patterns as we see it today, asking us to consider how it limits the possibilities of what we might do and experience.