Humble Beginnings: The Rise of a King
A Series in 1 and 2 Samuel
During the fall months, we will follow David’s life in the Old Testament. David’s story is a story of humble beginnings, and his story holds a central place in the imagination of the Old Testament. The Bible scholar Walter Brueggemann has asserted, “More than any other person [in the Old Testament], Israel is fascinated by David, deeply attracted to him, bewildered by him, occasionally embarrassed by him, but never disowning him.” As we follow glimpses of David’s life, we will discover a person “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David got a lot of things wrong, to put it mildly, but he also acted with humility and courage.
COVID Update. Masks are encouraged but not required if you’re vaccinated. Church and Preschool staff are wearing masks.
October 30, 2022
“In Need of Re-Direction”
Pastor Sam preaching
David takes without caring or considering who his actions harm.
October 16, 2022
“A Gesture of Love”
Pastor Sam preaching
David returns land and cares for a son of Jonathan, his dear friend
October 9, 2022
“A Courageous Prayer”
Pastor Sam preaching
After David is anointed and appointed king over Israel, he prays that God will bless their house.
October 2, 2022
“An Act of Daring”
Pastor Sam preaching
In an act of daring, David spares King Saul’s life and attempts to make peace.
September 25, 2022
“Love is Thicker than Blood”
Pastor Sam preaching
As David faces threats from Saul, Jonathan protects David.
September 18, 2022
“Growing Jealousy and Rising Success”
Pastor Sam preaching
King Saul grows jealous of David as he rises to public acclaim.
September 11, 2022
“The Wrong Armor; Five Smooth Stones”
Pastor Sam preaching
David faces off with the Philistine giant, Goliath
September 4, 2022
“The Youngest Keeping the Sheep”
Pastor Sam preaching
Samuel anoints Jesse’s youngest son, David, as king of Israel.
Previous Sermon Series
Humble Beginnings
During the fall months, we will follow David’s life in the Old Testament. David’s story is a story of humble beginnings, and his story holds a central place in the imagination of the Old Testament. The Bible scholar Walter Brueggemann has asserted, “More than any other person [in the Old Testament], Israel is fascinated by David, deeply attracted to him, bewildered by him, occasionally embarrassed by him, but never disowning him.” As we follow glimpses of David’s life, we will discover a person “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David got a lot of things wrong, to put it mildly, but he also acted with humility and courage.
Made for Peace
The New Testament letter of Ephesians narrates the drama of God’s salvation of the world, God’s making peace with the world in Christ. Michael Gorman asserts, “Perhaps the world might actually sit up and take notice of the Christian faith if Christians really did embody the gospel of peace,” and Gorman says, “Ephesians is a letter about the gospel of peace.” While the church in Ephesus is a missional body clothed in the essentials for a real-life struggle in the world, the church in Ephesus is also culturally situated in the first century. Our reading together of the letter of Ephesians will seek to be faithful to the spirit of the letter while also engaging our contemporary life experience.
With Open Hearts
The Gospel of Luke gathers a varied cast of characters around the person of Jesus, as he shares good news to the poor, release to captives, and freedom to the oppressed. From small villages to centers of power, Jesus heals and teaches, and in the process, he reveals to us the dream of God in and for the world. The young pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wrote, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ…Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a person must knock…Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.” The Gospel of Luke shows us the path of discipleship, of following Jesus in the world today.
Unexpected Arrivals-An Advent Series
The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church’s calendar with the anticipation and the birth of Jesus. Advent means coming. So, we are celebrating the coming of God in Christ at the first Christmas, and we are anticipating the ongoing coming of God in lives each day afresh. This Advent, we are following the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love with the Gospel of Luke.
Borders and Belonging
The story of Ruth is a story for our times. It is a drama of grief and love and prejudice and promise during a time of manifold upheavals. Glenn Jordon has observed, “This short narrative features those who are forced to migrate to another country because of poverty of famine and therefore encourages communities to face the question of what constitutes national identity and belonging.”