Scripture: John 2: 1 – 11 By Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN August 30, 2015 In almost every wedding ceremony, there is something that goes wrong. A young couple, very much in love, was getting married. Sue, the wife to be, was very nervous about the big occasion and so the pastor chose one verse that he felt would be a great…
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20 By Rev. John Walsh August 23, 2015 When Jill announced that she was preaching a series of sermons that would allow her to introduce herself to us and give us a window into her thinking, we were all excited to learn what was to be revealed. This week, the fourth Sunday since her arrival, the theme was to be…
Scripture: Matthew 13: 24 – 30 By Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN August 16, 2015 At age 15, I received the spontaneous call to go into the ministry while reading the book, Let Go and Let God on the porch of my house. It was a hot August day – like today. As I read the book, I became excited and thought,…
Scripture: John 14: 1 – 6 By Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN August 9, 2015 This morning we begin a new sermon series entitled, “Let’s Get Personal”. During the next month, I will be sharing personal stories from my life so that can get a sense of who I am and why I am the way I am. In being transparent about…
Scripture: Joshua 4: 1 – 9 By Rev. Dr. Jill A. Kirchner-Rose August 2, 2015 The year was 1975. The number one hit song of 1975 was “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain and Tennille. Unfortunately, love did not keep them together, but it’s a fitting title for us on this first Sunday as pastor and congregation. Yes, love – love…
July 26, 2015 John 6: 1-21 Redlands UCC When Barbie came up and asked me if I could preach today, I thought, sure, why not? But then she says, “Don’t forget, this is transition Sunday between Stan and Jill. So make sure that the sermon addresses the changes that we are going through, and the future, and all of those transition-y…
Luke 2: 31-52 Rev. Dr. Jill A. Kirchner-Rose July 12, 2015 So, I am sitting at dinner with the Search Committee and I am very aware that this is an astute group of folks and quite progressive in their theology. I decide it is time to impress them. I say, “At my former church, University Christian Church, we had Bishop John Shelby…
Message: “KEEPING FOCUSED” Dr. Stanley D. Smith February 8, 2015 Text: Mark 1:29-39 I read again this story that has been going around for a while. It was in a Washington DC metro station on a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them…
“STANDING UP” sermon by Stan Smith Text: Mark 1:4-11 January 11, 2015 Imagine yourself in a theater. The houselights dim, the curtain rises. On stage you see a great throng of people milling about. On one side of the stage a spotlight reveals a rough, heroic figure. His voice is loud and strident. He has everyone’s attention, and many are allowing…
How we think about God is important. If we assume God is cruel and has a finger on the giant zap button in the sky, we will shrink back and live out of fear rather than gratitude. If we assume God is violent, capricious and hostile, we find ways of incorporating those traits into our lives, too. What is your image of the divine? How does it shape your life and faith?