Pastor’s Preview
‘All of Us’
In Sunday’s message from lay minister James Leahy, we hear of the importance of acceptance in his sermon titled “All Of Us’. . ‘Us’ is a powerful word, and just as Jesus welcomes all to the table, we should be encouraged to broaden our definition of this word so we might break bread with all comers. Please join us for worship on Sunday,September 17 at 10:30 am, then enjoy beverages ,birthday cake & fellowship, courtesy of the Hospitality Committee in the Social Hall following the service.
Stay well,
James Leahy
Sermon: Creative Disobedience
Dear Friends,
Join us on Sunday, August 27 at 9:30 am for this sermon titled ‘Creative Disobedience’. The book of Exodus includes stories of women who laid the foundation for the liberation of the Israelite peoples from enslavement in Egypt. The story of Shiphrah and Puha is one such example, revealing the brutality of Pharaoh’s regime that used his power to breed fear of ‘the other’. The two women found a way to save lives through creative disobedience, and by doing so, live out God’s will. How and when are we called to be creatively disobedient to support the will of God and to uplift all of life? What can we learn from these resourceful midwives about this? We hope you can make it and stay for hospitality, refreshments and fellowship after worship. Blessings, Stacey Keane
What is prayer?
Dear Friends,
What is prayer? Do we as Christians have a ‘criteria’ for what fits this term? Is prayer certain words spoken, sung, whispered, hollered, or is it a state of mind and heart? This Sunday we will explore the story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman demanding attention and care for her daughter who is “demon-possessed and suffering”. We will use a critical lens to explore Jesus’s response to the woman and her persistence in the face of this. Finally, we’ll bridge this story with the topic of prayer–we will wonder together, do her actions embody prayer?
We hope to see you at worship on Sunday, August 20 at 9:30 AM to consider this sermon titled “What is Prayer?” Please join us in the Narthex following worship for summer refreshments and fellowship.
In Peace,
Stacey Keane
Blunders for the Kingdom of God
11/13 A Sermon by Guest Preacher Sarah Seamans
Dear Friends,
This Sunday we hear messages of faith and God’s love in the scriptures. We draw faith and comfort from God as he is by our side through life as we make decisions (big and little). This Sunday is also Stewardship Sunday when we think of our roles in our faith community with time, talents and funds. I hope you’ll join us for worship and a sermon that I’m calling, “Where Does Our Faith Lead Us?” on Sunday, November 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Grace and Peace,
Sarah Seamans
9/25: A Deed of Promise
Dear Friends,
On Sunday, we gather for Rally Day, the start of the program year, the return of the choir and the launch of a new Sunday School program. Our theme this year is “Expectations” because our church leaders have high expectations for the year ahead. I hope that you also have expectations for the place of Central church in your life. Make plans to stay after worship for a cook out and games—and a fair to celebrate our many ministries. My sermon will focus on two Biblical passages—a text from Luke about care for human need and a story from Jeremiah about God’s promise in the midst of suffering and despair. I hope you will join us for worship—in person—and a sermon that I’m calling, “A Deed of Promise.”
Grace and peace,
Chris
9/18: Forgive us Our Debts
Dear Friends,
On Sunday, we hear another of Jesus’ troubling parables—the story of the shrewd (or dishonest) steward. In this story, it seems like a scoundrel emerges victorious. How do we make sense of Jesus’ words when they challenge or even offend our sensibilities? These are questions that I will try to tackle in a sermon that I’m calling, “Forgive Us Our Debts?” I hope to see you on Sunday.
Grace and peace,
Chris
9/11: The Problem of Grace
Dear Friends,
On Sunday, we hear the much-loved parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Jesus uses these stories to describe the grace and love of God. The promise of God’s grace can offer comfort, but it can also create problems because it doesn’t square with our sense of fairness. On Sunday, I’ll reflect on what this dilemma means for Central Church in this time. I’m calling my sermon, “The Problem of Grace” and hope to see you in worship.
Grace and peace,
Chris