Sunday, March 29, 2026 – Matthew 21:1-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 27:11-54 Years ago, when I was home from college over winter break, I went into Manhattan with two friends to be in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The crowd was enormous—packed so tightly that we were literally jammed together like […]
Sunday, March 22, 2026 – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 On this day, as we gather in worship, I invite you to open your hearts to a message of hope, of renewal, and of the quiet, unstoppable power of God’s spirit at work in our lives. Our readings today—Ezekiel’s vision in the
Sunday, February 15, 2926, Transfiguration Sunday – Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2, Psalm 99, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 For the last week or so, I’ve been in the grips of a great spiritual struggle. I share this because I want you to know that even those of us who serve in ministry roles or who
Sunday, January 25, 2026 – Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 Have you ever been in a place of complete darkness? Here in Bradenton, we’re surrounded by streetlights, building lights, and the constant glow of modern life. There’s so much light pollution that we rarely experience true darkness at all. Even
Walking in the Light: Advent Hope and the Path to Peace Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 As we welcome the season of Advent, I am reminded of a night years ago on the Big Island of Hawaii—a night that forever shaped my understanding of what it means
Sunday, August 10, 2025 – Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 There’s a phrase we often use in conversation. We might say to a friend, “Are you coming to my party?” And they might answer, “You can count on me to be there!” Even nonprofits will sometimes say, “We’re counting on you
Sunday, June 22, 2025 – Isaiah 65:1-9, Psalm 22:19-28, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 I want to begin today with a question: Have you ever felt as though God is far away—perhaps hidden or silent just when you needed God most? One of those childhood games that never seems to go out of fashion is hide
Sunday, May 18 – Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=\”\”]Have you ever had the experience of something that you initially thought was a bad thing turning into a good thing? When I lost my job at the University of the South during Covid in 2020, I was devastated. I didn’t necessarily
April 13, 2025, Passion Sunday – Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14—23:56 We began this service with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the donkey as the people waved palms and shouted “Hosanna!” We’ve just heard the whole passion narrative that begins with the final supper that Jesus shared with his closest
Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 Since we had so much fun singing in last Sunday’s sermon, I thought we should do it again because as soon as I read our second reading for today, I thought of this bible camp song: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I
