Scripture: Luke 18: 1 – 8 — Let’s hear it for the Supreme Court! As an Open and Affirming Congregation and as an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation, we are grateful for the recent rulings to protect the LGBTQ community from employment discrimination and to protect Dreamers from deportation. On this Pride Sunday, we affirm Jesus’ lesson from the Parable of the Unjust Judge.…
"That Church"
Sermons by Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN (Page 7)
Psalm 46 – As we honor the summer solstice, we celebrate the gifts of the season: amusement parks, water slides, summer camps, cruises, 4th of July parades, parties, crowded beaches, the Redlands Bowl, and baseball games to name a few. Summer is packed with activity; that is, unless there is a global pandemic. Rather than jumping on airplanes, trains, and cruise ships, many…
Luke 13: 10 – 17 – Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN Many of us know the famous song from the Civil Rights Movement, “We Shall Overcome.” We shall overcome…someday. We’ll walk hand in hand…someday. The truth shall make us free…someday. Yes, we shall overcome…someday. My question this morning is, “When is someday?” The death of Ahmaud Arbery was heart wrenching. The death…
Communion Sunday, June 7 ~ “The Early Church: Breaking Bread” Acts 2: 43 – 47; Matthew 13:33 – Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN We begin a new sermon series this month entitled, “The Early Church.” Last Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost, the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit in the form of fire, wind, breath filled the frightened disciples, who were hiding in…
Ascension Day – Sunday, May 24 ~~ “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder“ Ascension Day is the day that Jesus became absent, which may be why it is the most forgotten holy day of the church year. Who wants to celebrate being left behind? As the old adage goes, however, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Absence is heightened awareness, a sharpened appetite, a…
Psalm 23 – In the United Church of Christ, the third Sunday of May is Mental Health Sunday. Mental health is a timely topic these days. Social distancing and quarantining are negatively affecting the mental health of many. Older adults and single people may be experiencing increased feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Working parents with children experience increased anxiety as they homeschool…
Luke 15: 8 – 10 On this Mother’s Day, churches around the world will compare God’s love to the unconditional, nurturing, compassionate love of a mother. Many, however, find themselves asking these days, “Does God even care?” After all, the global COVID-19 epidemic is as horrific in the 21st century as the Black Death was throughout Eurasia in the 1300s and small…
Matthew 2: 1 – 12 Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN Today we begin a new sermon series entitled, “Mystic Masters,” as we welcome the Magi. The Magi, I believe, are truly mystics. What is a mystic? A mystic seeks union with the Divine. Just as every river is winding its way to the sea so every soul is returning to a glorious…
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…
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,…