Sermons from 2023
Jubilant Joy
In Advent, we anticipate the arrival of the Christ child who we know is coming to remember how to wait for the fulfillment of God’s kin-dom on earth as it is in heaven. A fulfillment we are still waiting for. But how do we find Joy in this season? In midst of all that has been going on, how can the birth of Christ bring the joy we desire? In the base camp of our church community, near and far,…
This World Is Bizarro: Finding Peace
Christmas is mere weeks away, and all I need is some peace and quiet. It’s funny, though. I don’t think “peace and quiet” is what Isaiah meant when he conveyed God’s message, “Comfort, O comfort my people…” Or, more specifically, I don’t think he meant quiet. Quiet isn’t the right adjective for the just peace that we are both waiting for and called to live into as we wait in this season. No, this just peace cries out not from…
A Longing Hope
Advent is here, and we begin the Christian year anew with a season of waiting. As the days grow darker, we draw closer to the arrival of the Light that turns the world upside down—or right-side up! The journey toward and beyond the manger is one of reversing expectations, encountering what we thought we already knew in brand new ways, and receiving good news in unexpected places. In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we journey…
The Heart of Worship
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 100 (NRSVUE) Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;[a] we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.
Take a Risk
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) iconic motto is “The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste” This quote comes from the founder and visionary of the UNCF Frederick Patterson. When you hear this quote what comes to mind? For me I am encouraged to not waste the gifts and talents that I have and to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for me to be to not only be successful but to make a difference in the lives of…
Exodus 32:1-14
The Collins Dictionary defines calling someone stiff necked as: “they are proud and unwilling to do what other people want.” We can be like that due to being impatient and not willing to compromise. So how can we work on this? In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we will wrap up our series: “For The Long Haul.” We will explore the book of Exodus and talk about “The Golden Calf.” We welcome Pastor Jae Bates…
Psalm 19
Daily we take the time to do some reflection, reflection on life and where we are. Whenever we take that pause, it is one that can bring not only insight but creativity. In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we will explore Psalm 19, a Psalm of David. We welcome Pastor Jae Bates as our guest preacher! We will keep the gift of Sabbath, learn sacred stories, sing, pray, reflect, refuel, and revive our sense of…
Unbowed in Adversity
Conflict: some of us like it and some of us avoid it. What is true is that we have to deal with it. How do we handle conflict in our life? How do we see God in the midst of the conflict? In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we will continue in our series: “For The Long Haul.” We will explore the book of Exodus. We will keep the gift of Sabbath, learn sacred stories,…
Faith Over Frustration: A Journey from Complaining to Trust
It has been a month in the journey and someone asked “Are We There Yet?” On top of that question, everyone’s stomach start growling and everyone stops to take a bite to eat. As you go grab the food, you see in your supply stash that you have no more food or water. How do you survive? How do you navigate this situation? Do you even trust that God will come through and provide? In the base camp of our…
Speak Life
Can I be honest and say that Life is tough! It can be hard to press through day by day but we must find the strength to not only press forward but to just say live! What will it take for us to speak life and live? In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we will wrap up our series: “Let Justice and Peace Flow”. We will wrap our time in Ezekiel and celebrate “World Communion…