Sermon: “The Art of ReGifting: RECEIVE”, Luke 1:26-38 (November 30, 2025)

In U.S.American culture, once we make it to the other side of Thanksgiving, our brains almost automatically shift towards preparing for Christmas, don’t they? In the Church, of course, we focus on preparing our hearts and spirits: getting ourselves in the right mindset to welcome Jesus to the world. At home, your preparation might look like decorating or baking; at work, it may take the form of frantic efforts to get things wrapped up before you leave for vacation. But no matter where you are or what you’re doing, I’d be willing to bet that your Christmas preparation involves gifts in one way or another.

Sermon: "Unadulterated Loathing", Jeremiah 29:4-14 (November 23, 2025)

This past Friday, the highly anticipated sequel to last year’s “Wicked” movie was released. In case you need a refresher of the first movie before seeing the second, I’m happy to help. Wicked is kind of a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz”; it tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West long before she meets Dorothy. Far from being a malevolent sorceress, the witch (whose name is Elphaba) actually starts as a shy teenage outcast whose skin had been bright green since birth. She turns out to be quite a likeable protagonist: she’s fiercely protective of her younger sister and has an unshakable sense of justice, especially when it comes to anyone that Ozian society has deemed “less than”. 

Liturgy: "For I Know the Plans I Have for You," Jeremiah 29:4-14 (November 23, 2025)

    *You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know that you have either used or adapted it.*

Hymns

Hymn GTG #805, “Come Sing to God”

Hymn GTG #785, “In Deepest Night”

Hymn GTG #821, “My Life Flows On”

Sermon: Dam It, Amos 5:5:14-15, 21-24 (November 9, 2025)

Just over two years ago, in September 2023, a terrible tragedy hit the Libyan city of Derna. After years of neglected maintenance and record-breaking torrential rain from Storm Daniel, two dams that had held the Wadi Derna River back since the 1970s collapsed, unleashing over 30 million cubic meters of water on the sleeping city[1]. The loss of property and life was staggering, to the point that as of three months ago, almost 3,300 people are still unaccounted for.[2] Some official figures number the fatalities at just over 4,500 deaths,[3] but other sources estimate that as many as 24,000 lives may have been lost.[4] It was the deadliest dam failure of the 21st century and the second deadliest in recorded history. 

If you’re wondering what on earth this awful event has to do with today’s scripture reading, it’s probably because you’ve never heard these verses in the larger context of Amos’ prophecy. 

Liturgy: Let Justice Roll Down, Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 (November 9, 2025)

   *You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*

Hymns

Hymn GTG #356, “Sing Praise to God, Whose Mighty Acts”

Hymn GTG #773, “Heaven Shall Not Wait”

Hymn GTG #757, “Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples”

Anxiety and Justice

 It's election day in the U.S., and I'm anxious.

Not about any of the races, but because our church has given permission to Idahoans United for Women and Families (IUWF) to collect signatures for a ballot initiative on our property.

Sermon: "We Are Here", 1 Kings 19:1-18 (November 2, 2025)

By the time that we arrive at this point in scripture, Elijah has only been an active prophet for two chapters, but he’s already made quite an impression on the local royalty. After three years of drought, he pops up out of nowhere, blames the king, and proceeds to humiliate the prophets of Ba’al in the most ostentatious way possible (you can read about it yourself in chapter 18). He’s not kidding when he says he’s been zealous for the Lord - he’s made it absolutely impossible for anyone to ignore God’s power, including the queen.

But now, he’s feeling the full weight of his actions. Jezebel’s threats have left him feeling afraid, burnt out, and utterly alone, to the point that he’s ready to throw in the towel completely. God sends an angel to force Elijah to practice some self care, but the message that accompanies these provisions isn’t especially reassuring: “Eat something, because you have a difficult road ahead of you.” Great. Just what a person approaching wit’s end wants to hear.