Sermons by Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN (Page 8)

“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…

“What About the Road?”

Luke 10: 25 – 37 – Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN – Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In our scripture passage this morning, a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” That is, who is the one I have to love? Who is the one I can forgo loving? Whom may I legitimately set outside my concern? Today we conclude…

“A Whale of a Tale”

Jonah 3: 1 – 5; Mark 12: 30 – 31, Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN -About a month ago, I preached a sermon entitled “The Prophetic Imagination.” God calls prophets through a 3-part contract. Ho! Go! Lo! All three are biblical words. Ho! means “pay attention.” Ho! “Go” says God “and build a more loving society.” And then, “Lo!” “Lo, I am…

“Unexpected Journey”

Luke 24: 13 – 21; 25 – 31 – Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN   When Redlands United Church of Christ was only three years old (1978), the members of this congregation bought over three acres of an orange grove with a heritage house on it. The members remodeled the heritage house into a church house with church offices.  As a member of…

Jesus Was A Low Wage Worker

Matthew 5: 1 – 9, Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN This past week marked a significant anniversary in the life of our country. It was exactly 400 years ago, in late August of 1619, that Africans were brought to this shore, to the coast of Virginia. It is the 400th anniversary of the dawn of American slavery. This past week many African…

“Mindfulness”

Matthew 14: 22 – 23, Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN My Epiphany word for this year is “Relaxation.” Over the last few months, I truly embodied that word. This season of relaxation has been bookmarked by two silent retreats with the church. One in May and the other last weekend. The silent retreats are a time to rest, relax, pray, meditate, hike,…