Sermons on Advent

“Those Who Dream….Sow Joy”

Luke 1: 39 – 56 Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN We continue with our sermon series entitled, “Those Who Dream.” Ultimately, dreams sow joy, even if that joy doesn’t immediately spring forth. Sowing seeds into the soil always feels risky and feeble. How can something so small become something so beautiful, so big, and so nourishing? Like Mary, we are called to…

“Those Who Dream.. of Peace”

Mark 1: 1 – 8 Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN – Every year on our way to Christmas we confront this strange-looking man in the wilderness with his uncombed hair, uncut nails, wild honey dripping off his scraggly beard and the smell of insects on his breath. His diet consisted of locusts. John the Baptist clothes himself in camel’s hair. He wore…

“Those Who Dream…of Hope”

Isaiah 9: 2 – 7; Isaiah 40: 1 – 5 Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN Everything starts with a dream. The prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds and the Magi—they were all dreamers. They listened deeply to God’s dreams for the world. During this Advent season, we are encouraged to listen to God’s dreams, too.…

“The Sounds of Christmas”

Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7; Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-5                                                                            Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN – Tonight, we conclude our sermon series on “The Senses of Christmas.” The first Sunday of Advent we explored the taste of Christmas – with savory Christmas scones for communion bread — nutmeg, cranberry, rosemary, vanilla, powdered sugar. Yum! The second Sunday of Advent we…

“The Sights of Christmas”

     Isaiah 9: 2 – 7; Luke 2: 8 – 16;  Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN      We continue our sermon series on “The Senses of Christmas.” Today, we will explore the “sights” of Christmas. When I say “Christmas,” what visual images come to mind? Christmas trees with presents spilling over, stockings hung by the chimney with care, blinking lights, Santa Clause, Rudolph,…

“The Scent of Christmas”

Luke 2: 1 – 7;  Jill A. Kirchner- Rose, MDIV, DMIN I would like for you to bring your bulletin up to your nose, and breathe in deeply. What do you smell? It is the smell of peppermint. Yes, this morning we have peppermint-scented bulletins. Peppermint is a favorite scent of the holidays – we put peppermint in lots of our food…

“The Tastes of Christmas”

Matthew 3: 1 – 6; Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN We begin a new Advent sermon series today entitled, “The Senses of Christmas.” Christmas is alive with all the senses – the tastes, touch, smells, sights, and sounds of the holiday surround us. This morning, in particular, I would like for us to experience the tastes of Christmas. Holiday parties and gatherings…

All I Want for Christmas: Love

Genesis 3: 1 – 3, 6 Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN December 23, 2018 As we near the end of the year and as we reflect on this Advent season of love, I find myself thinking about that hit song from Rent: 525,600 minutes. Do you know the song? Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so…