Sermons

By Nekeisha Alayna Alexis, offered on MLK Sunday 2022 Mark 10:17-22 “Whiteness has psychological advantages that translate into material returns” (54) “As I move through my day, racism just isn’t my problem. While I am aware that race has been used unfairly against people of color, I haven’t been taught to see this problem as…

Matthew 2:1-22 For four weeks during Advent, we dwelt in the dark. We encouraged each other to rest there, to embrace it as fertile and magnificent. As the place from which new birth comes. And then, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, Mary was awakened by an angel, who told her she would birth the…

This is the last sermon in our Advent series, “Rhythms of Rest.” Luke 1:26-55 (excerpts) There’s a painting of this Scripture we just heard that I particularly love. It’s called “The Annunciation,” which is the name for when Gabriel comes to Mary and announces that she will give birth to Jesus. It was painted by…

This is the third sermon in an our Advent series entitled “Rhythms of Rest.” As the book of Job begins, the title character is living the ancient Hebrew equivalent of the American Dream. He has a big family; he’s got health and wealth; he’s got the respect of his peers; he’s highly regarded as a…

By Joanna Lawrence Shenk This sermon is the second in our Advent series, “Rhythms of Rest.” Genesis 1:1-5, 2:1-3 Having moved to the East Bay from San Francisco this spring, one of the things Eric and I are most excited about is having a yard in which to grow and tend plants. We’ve also recognized…

This sermon is the first in our Advent series, “Rhythms of Rest.” Psalm 63:1-8 This past summer, I was sitting in my backyard when I felt the sun on my face. Not an uncommon occurrence when one is sitting outside, but I don’t normally feel the sun on my face when I sit in that…