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Sermon 03.03.2024: Lent 3 - Kindness as Power, Possibility, and Peace

Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow • Mar 03, 2024

We will look at how true peace requires radical kindness (not just being nice), being able to see humanity and dignity in even our deepest of enemies. We acknowledge these relationships' deaths and believe that new life can be experienced. In conflicted times today, it is even more difficult to choose this path, but these are the times when we may need to most . . . and if we can't trust that the church can express new life, what are we doing?



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Scripture


Romans 12:14-18


"Blessed Are the Peacemakers"

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.


Matthew 5:1-11


When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.



Sermon


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Two hands holding up a very colorful earth. There is a dark sky and several stars in the background. The text says

Art by Rachel Wolf

A medieval artwork of Hildegard of Bingen toppling the tower of the church.

Sermon 04.21.2024: God Needs Resurrection Publicists

By Rev. Victor Floyd • 21 Apr, 2024
When Paul and Silas preach the reconciling love of God in the capital city, the dominant society punishes them for "turning the world upside down.” Today, in our currently-irreconcilable culture, when we preach God’s inclusive love, we should expect no less! Shall the fundamentalists win? Or can God call on a more loving publicist, like you?
A bright pink and blue sunset over mountains. The text reads

Sermon 04.14.2024: Witness to Life

By Rev. Marci Glass • 14 Apr, 2024
Today we'll hear the story of Stephen in the Book of Acts. He's known as the first martyr for the Gospel. The root of the word 'martyr' comes from the word 'witness'. Maybe we can't all be (or don't want to be) martyrs, but what does it mean to take our witness seriously?
A colorful sky gradient from teal to orange, with the text

Sermon 04.07.2024: Fixing Our Attention

By Rev. Marci Glass • 08 Apr, 2024
Today begins a month of stories from the early, post-Easter church from the Book of Acts. In today's story, Peter and John heal a man outside the Temple. The man was begging for money. Peter offers him something else, if only he'll fix his attention to see it.
A peaceful field of wildflowers with the sun behind it.

Sermon 03.31.2024: Easter 10am - Completing the Story

By Rev. Marci Glass • 31 Mar, 2024
Mark's account of the resurrection doesn't include an appearance by Jesus. The gospel originally ended with a preposition, surely causing his 8th grade English teacher to weep. Mark's gospel ends with the women fleeing the tomb in terror. But that's not the end of the story. How often are our lives like that? When have you had a chance to write a different ending to a part of your story?
Swirly van-gogh-ish type of muted purple and slate background with a chalice on a wooden table

Sermon 03.28.2024: Maundy Thursday

By Rev. Marci Glass • 28 Mar, 2024
As we think about peace, it is important that we don’t only see peacefulness and quiet as the goal. Peace often requires a stand. Sometimes conflict is required to break through injustice so you can get to peace. If we want to be blessed as peacemakers, we will need to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, to stand in opposition to the violence and injustice of the world, and to know that peace can only come from deep love, the kind of love you have to summon for those you don’t know, don’t understand, or don’t like.
A dove flying with a palm leaf in its mouth and there are many palm leaves at the border. Hosanna!

Sermon 03.24.2024: Palm Sunday - A Nonviolent Peaceful Protest

By Rev. Joann Lee • 24 Mar, 2024
The events of Palm Sunday flew in the face of all that seemed civil and polite for an occupied state of the Roman Empire. How dare this Jesus and his common followers mock the imperial parade celebrating the power and plunders of war? Who was this Jesus that compelled the people to wave palms and throw their cloaks on the ground in welcome? Join us on Sunday as wave our palms, sing our hosanna, and meet this Jesus who comes riding on a colt.
A dove carrying a leaf in its beak. The text reads

Sermon 03.17.2024: Lent 4 - Peaceful But Not a Pushover

By Rev. Marci Glass • 18 Mar, 2024
As we think about peace, it is important that we don’t only see peacefulness and quiet as the goal. Peace often requires a stand. Sometimes conflict is required to break through injustice so you can get to peace. If we want to be blessed as peacemakers, we will need to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, to stand in opposition to the violence and injustice of the world, and to know that peace can only come from deep love, the kind of love you have to summon for those you don’t know, don’t understand, or don’t like.
Community Grows Here - Picture of 200+ person congregation gathered on Calvary Steps

2023 Annual Report

By Rachel Wolf • 15 Mar, 2024
Download the PDF of the 2023 Annual Report (15MB)

Sermon 03.10.2024: Lent 4 - It was a dark and stormy night.

By Rev. Victor Floyd • 10 Mar, 2024
The storms of life don't cease. At any given moment, every human being alive is either 1) sailing into a storm, 2) navigating through a storm, or 3) coming out of a storm. Those are our only choices. Storms happen. This Sunday, we explore how to anchor ourselves to peace.
Colorful orange and green converging lines in the background. There is a giant slate blue peace sign

Sermon 02.25.2024: Lent 2 - Ain't Gonna Study War No More

By Rev. Marci Glass • 25 Feb, 2024
We are living, historically speaking, in peaceful times. Compared to almost every other century, people alive today are less likely to die because of violence and war. It doesn't feel like that when we read the news though, does it? When world leaders rattle their sabers and try to convince us to live in fear, what if we could respond with a different vision instead? This week we'll read a passage from Isaiah, where nations stream to God’s holy mountain so God can teach us the ways of peace.
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