Genesis 2:8–15, Ecclesiastes 2:18–26 ​“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). In other words, from the very beginning God meant for us to work. And notice: this happens before the fall. Work is not a punishment; it is part of paradise. Scripture tells us work is a blessing from God. In Ecclesiastes 2:24 we learn that there is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their work, for this

Deuteronomy 8:10-18, Psalm 24:1-2 ​This week, we begin stewardship season. Over the next three Sundays, we will explore the biblical foundations for God's call to return a portion of what we have to the Lord. We begin today with the Psalms: the earth is the Lord's. Next week, we will consider God's call to till and to keep, given first in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate not only creation, but our God-given talents. And then finally, on Pledge Dedication Sunday, we will explo

Shared during Sunday Worship on October 11, 2026. God of life, you have formed us into a community of believers, who can love each other, because we have first been loved by you. ​We thank you for the myriad of ways in which you have blessed us. What do we have that you have not first given to us? You bless us with families and communities who love and support us. You give us this precious life – within which we may do your work. You cause the sun to rise and the flowers to

Deuteronomy 34:1-8, 10-12; Luke 2:25-32 ​"No one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel." This Deuteronomy quote shows us that Moses' relationship with God was unique in all of history. It is the conclusion of the Torah, the five books of the Hebrew Bible that form its core. Moses is the only person ever to relate to God face to face, so much so that it changed his appearance. At the end, Moses came to embod

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” —Matthew 6:20 This year’s stewardship theme, Enduring Treasures, invites us to consider what it means to “take hold of the life that really is life.” In 1 Timothy 6:17–19, we are called to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, “thus storing up for [ourselves] the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that [we] may take hold of the life that really is life.” This is the work of investing ourselves—our tim

Romans 5:1-5; Ephesians 4:11-14 ​"Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!" These words from Patrick Henry, spoken on the precipice of the Revolutionary War, were suggesting that there was a battle, a severe unease that already existed, even though the guns had yet to be fired. And it feels exactly the same way today. No, I don't think a war is coming to engulf us. But I do think there is a war within us, a deep anxiety and unease th

Shared during Sunday Worship on September 20, 2026. God of love and abounding grace, we give you thanks for the many ways you remind us that we belong to one another and to you. We give you thanks for this community of faith. For the children who fill our halls with energy and backpacks and questions, for confirmands and parents preparing for a year of growth, for teachers and volunteers who offer their time and wisdom, for families and friends who encourage one another, and

Luke 15:11-13; Genesis 25:21-26 Last week, we embarked upon a four-part series on the stages of faith, and we began with childhood, in which we learned that trust is the central characteristic of a childlike faith (which Jesus told us is needed to enter the kingdom of heaven). But of course, none of us remain in that phase, especially when we enter our teenage years. Perhaps you all remember your time in middle school. Your voice changes, you grow taller, and that awkwardness

Matthew 18:1-5 A few weeks ago, Wendy and I were having the most amazing time in Costa Rica, getting ready to go snorkeling. Along with several other couples we were in our bathing suits and life vests, anxiously listening to our guide’s instructions. We went into the water, and soon it got very stormy and scary! As we were trying to make our way toward the guide, we noticed there was a couple right on our heels--the one standing next to us during the orientation. The woman

Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 3:21-26 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8b This year we have been exploring the fundamental human need of freedom. We have celebrated and examined America’s quest for freedom 250 years ago and our hope to live into our founding values, such as the equality of all people, more fully. But we have much to learn from history at 250 years though it seems long to us is mere bl

2 Samuel 7:12–16, Matthew 16:13–23 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8b Ever since the reign of King David in 1000 B.C., Israel has yearned for a ruler like him because history has been cruel. David represented the pinnacle of Israelite sovereignty, and so a prophecy arose: there would be a king like David, who would rule an eternal throne, known as “the messiah” — no more cycle of violence, no

Psalm 33:12-22, I Timothy 2:1-4 ​As I began preparing this sermon I realized something—I love America! It has been my joy throughout my life to live in 13 different states! From the mountains of Idaho, to the beaches of California, the pine barrens of Arkansas, the hills of Kentucky, and this great city of New York (amongst other places), every single place, no matter how rural, how urban, or suburban, has been a fantastic place to live! This is a beautiful country. But that'

Isaiah 6:1-10, John 17:1-11 ​Over 10 years ago, an eleven-year-old yodeled in a Walmart. A month later, Mason Ramsey had a record deal with Atlantic and is now worth over one million dollars. A Scottish church volunteer sang the most beautiful rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, and in 2009 Susan Boyle became a global phenomenon, now worth over $40 million. An Austrian skydiver decided to take the sport to the next level, and rather than diving from the sky, he leapt from space a

Shared during Sunday Worship on June 14, 2026. God of peace and purpose, guard those in the midst of war, especially civilians, as we continue to pray and work for peace in the Middle East, hope in Haiti, and healing in the Congo from Ebola. Be with all countries in conflict and we pray that You will bring to fruition the plan of peace for Iran. Bestow Your proverb like wisdom on all leaders with the burden of authority. Give them eyes of justice, hearts of compassion, and a

Psalms 51:14-17, Romans 3:21-24 ​Planned obsolescence—a wonderful phrase that encapsulates our extreme frustration with technology. One of my great joys twenty years ago was unboxing my very first iPhone. Suddenly, I had this device that could give me directions, pay my bills, text my friends, surf the internet, go shopping at virtually any store, and, by the way, I could even make phone calls with it! But there was something strange about this phone and all the ones that fol

Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8:1-9 The CEO and president of the board of directors issued a set of simple instructions. They reflected the mission of this organization, and it became the most effective, powerful initiative ever launched in the history of humanity. It makes Apple look like a flash in the pan and Tesla look like a brief experiment. If indeed the church were a business, it would be the most successful one ever! Jesus’ instructions were simple and clear in Matthew’s g

Shared during Sunday Worship on May 17, 2026. When the apostle Paul tells us the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us, we admit, dear Lord, this is hard for us to imagine. When we see war and violence devastating the people of this earth, we ache with the same anguish we know our dear Lord Jesus does. So, we ask Your Spirit’s power to bring that endless peace promised so long ago to the peoples of Sudan,

Exodus 3:7-10, Galatians 5:1, 13-14 "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8b "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." — Galatians 5:1 In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul proclaims the gift of freedom that comes through Jesus Christ—a freedom hard won and not to be taken lightly. And throu

John 15:9-11, Matthew 28:1-8 "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8b “ So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat, drink, and be glad. ” - Ecclesiastes 8:15 Despite dealing with a tremendous number of weighty topics—such as sin, war, greed, and more—the Bible surprisingly has a great deal to say about a life of happiness. There a

Exodus 6:5-7, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b ​ “There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending… we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’ but