Advent III

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

“Are you the one?” How often is this the question asked? The contemporary ask may be ominous or the question may reflect a spiritual longing or, as in our context in The Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptizer, prophet in/of the desert, languishes in a lightless cell and anguishes – is his cousin Jesus the one foretold?
 
It’s not an unreasonable question to ask. John was a Jew. His expectation was of a Messiah who would wield a winnowing fork and put things right. But things are not "right" and his cousin isn’t giving evidence of a plan that would accomplish the expectations of an oppressed and disheartened people.
 
But we’ve read the story. We are aware of the power that transformed the ancient world and the only power that will transform ours.
 
Come this Sunday. We will engage the centuries old question that is asked and must be answered by each generation. 
 
The children will be heralds and we will bear witness to the one who comes, in humility, bearing our salvation.
 
In anticipation,

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Advent II

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 7, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Sojourners, insufferables, sycophants and swells – (did I miss anybody?)

We find ourselves in the company of John the baptizer and , by extension, of those who are flocking from ‘all of Judea’ to be baptized. The text describes a horde of folks from all walks and backgrounds. What did the experience offer seekers then and us now?

John is the herald of the messiah foretold by the prophet Isaiah. John functions also like a community organizer. He identifies that which must be remedied and repaired to receive what and who is to come.  No subtle contrivances. No leaning into joyless impossible law. Ritual cleansing. Repentance is required to embrace and embody that which is offered – changing your life for the change that is a-comin’.  

Lest we despair, Jesus comes that we may receive him. Indeed, Jesus receives us when we come.

In anticipation,

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Advent I

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 30, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Pastor Will Willimon introduces his book, Heaven and Earth – Advent and Incarnation, the resource for our Saturday morning study, with -

“As the world’s calendar winds down, the church’s calendar begins again. One year comes, another goes. Not much changes. The same old frustrations, the same old us.

"But then the church gives us Advent—a season that keeps time differently. Four weeks to pause, to take stock, and to let God reset our understanding of what time really means. Advent doesn’t begin with our resolutions or our determination. It begins with God’s decision to show up, to take time for us.

"If there is to be a fresh start, it won’t come from our own effort. It will come as a gift. We need a God who refuses to stay distant—Good news: that is exactly the God we have.”

Not a moment late nor a moment too soon.

In great anticipation,

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The Morning After

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 23, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

What do you do the day after?

1. Don’t panic.               

2. Get busy.

3. Do your best work.

Sounds good, but what is the day after? Seems simple enough, but it could very well mean each day/all days. The day after graduation. The day after your child’s birth. The day after the election. The day after resurrection.

Our scripture occurs… after. The rudderless disciples and other followers of Jesus assemble in the only place that can accommodate them and feel safe after their plans and their dreams have been shattered, the rug pulled. They didn’t believe the one whom they called Master, that he would die, rise and join them. If we hadn’t read the book, would we?  

This Sunday we take heart and strength from each other and the ubiquitous Spirit of God as we gather, position ourselves for God’s grace and pray for the courage to lead examined lives and celebrate that Jesus reigns over the wandering, the contrite, even us.  

Bring a friend, or someone whom you wish was.

Henrietta Mears, a great church educator of the 20th century once said, "God is the source of love; Christ is the proof of love; service is the expression of love; boldness is the outcome of love."

In great anticipation –

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Sharing

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 16, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

The author of the letter to the Hebrews offers a list of actions for those who are members of the community of  ollowers.

First, they should love their brothers and sisters; treat one another like family.

Second, they should not become insular, focusing only on themselves.

Third, remember those who are in prison and those who are being mistreated.

Finally, a place should exist in their lives for contentment, acknowledging that what they have is sufficient which brings us to the text for this commitment Sunday: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Knowing within our hearts that we have the provision and the protection of God, we need not worry about material goods, so…

”Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets,” Hebrews 13:16 (MSG).

In great anticipation,

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You Gotta Serve Somebody (Bob Dylan)

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 9, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Our text this coming Sunday is from the 16th chapter of Luke. It is known as the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, but I think it should be more rightly called the parable of the Shrewd Steward. 

This strange parable seems to highlight dishonesty, yet Jesus uses it to teach his disciples and us about cleverness for the Kingdom and total commitment to a singular goal – loving God by serving God’s beloved. 

For fifty years Bob Dylan has been a major figure in popular music - a performer, musician, but most of all a songwriter. He was born into a Jewish family as Robert Alan Zimmerman, but in the late 1970s, Bob Dylan became a born-again Christian. In 1979, the album, Slow Train Coming (1979) was released. He won Best Male Vocalist of the Year with a single from the album, Gotta Serve Somebody.  It starts out, 

"You may be an ambassador to England or France, 
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance, 
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world, 
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody, 
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody."

In great anticipation, 

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Growing In...

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

This Sunday clocks change – ain’t it weird how we decide another hour of sleep would be useful so we just change time!  

But another significant aspect of Sunday is that we begin a scant three week focus on our responsibility to Christ’s body, the church, this church – our stewardship.  

• We will receive new members.

• We’ll share communion.

• We’ll highlight the missions/ministries we support and enjoy a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

Individuals will share their observations, experiences and commitment to Jesus through Second Church- and you’re invited!

Ephesians 4:15-16 is the text. It’s concerned with church growth. We are growing in so many ways – numbers, activities. But how? why? I suggest through serving God’s beloved, the poor, the hungry, the unhoused, and through sharing God’s love in practical, purposeful, joyful ways. 

Big Sunday comin’! Don’t take my word, come see. And bring a friend!

What we get to do –
In anticipation,

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Trapped

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 26, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Church attendance (actually, temple attendance) was encouraged – meaning required. I haven’t seen statistics, but an attempt at obedience was expected. Hence the two characters of our text: a Pharisee and a tax collector.

At first glance the narrative is straightforward – on one side of the temple, a well-heeled Pharisee. On the other side, a crestfallen, guilt-ridden, ‘please don’t notice me’ tax-collector. The two fellows who couldn’t be more dissimilar, but are remarkably alike in their unrecognized need. 

This Gospel Sunday, we baptize Jaxon Patrick Brock. At 2:30 p.m. we’ll celebrate All Hallows (and processed sugar) at Trunk or Treat. At 4:30 p.m. we feed the unhoused with the Navigation Center. All in service to Jesus’ beloved for the abundant joy that is promised.

In anticipation,

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A Parable of Persistence

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

I write this to the sounds of hammers and laughter from the back lot as work on eight more Habitat for Humanity playhouses has begun for the delight of children and raising funds for new builds in our community. By a large group from across the community to know the joy of serving arm in arm (on a lovely morning, thank you Jesus :)

Here at Second Church we finished one of the most well-known series of Jesus’ parables last week that placed God as shepherd, determined housewife, extravagantly loving father. We could see ourselves as wandering, lost, impetuous and petulant, but never beyond divine love.  

This week we are offered a parable especially for these times, I believe, about a demand for justice. Again, one of the most vulnerable is the protagonist, a widow, as she refuses to be dismissed in seeking what is right. Accomplished through unceasing prayer, unshakable faith – our tools and our hope!

Invite someone to come along – in anticipation,

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The Petulant Prodigal

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 12, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

The last few weeks we’ve engaged parables; Jesus telling stories to the people as the temple authorities murmur and grumble. He tells those gathered some stories that aren’t to avoid, justify or rectify wrong behavior, but to verify and glorify God. He tells of the crazy love of God who will not lose one lamb, one coin, one child, but who shamelessly, extravagantly, recklessly pursues and loves that which was lost – then calls folks together and parties! The prodigal God!

Randy Loubier offers, “The parables weren’t entertainment or intellectual riddles. They were invitations. Everyone heard the same story. But only those with open hearts gained more.”

This Sunday we complete this series of parables. The father of the story has two sons, the rascal we’ve looked at and another, rather ‘the other’ son, the elder, who didn’t disappoint, or test his Dad and to many might be the ‘good’ son. Really?

I asked you to look in these parables and find yourself. Surely in these stories you are there – the wandering lamb, the frenetic mistress of the house, the rascally younger son, the hyper pious elder son, or maybe you think of yourself with such stores of love that you would be the one to retrieve, hunt down, embrace and forgive. (Let’s talk:)

These days demand all of those things that constitute grace. We may not possess them all, but together we can create the safety of a Jesus loving community, open our hearts and accept the invitation to understand Jesus’ tales of loving.

See you Sunday –

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Some Grey Poupon with Your Faith?

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 5, 2025

This week we continue with the gospel lection from Luke 17:5-10. It is a variation of the mustard seed parable found in all three synoptic gospels. In this telling of the story, we find Jesus making a lot of requests of his disciples followed by a plea from them to "please, Jesus, increase our faith!"

I am not sure about you, but with this week's storm, international wars on numerous fronts, divisive rhetoric at every turn, and exhortations not to lose heart, I am tempted to SCREAM, "Please, dear Lord, increase my faith!" 

Jesus had some sage words in response to his disciples, and they reverberate even louder in 2025. Maybe it's not the quantity of one's faith but the quality of one's faith that matters. Then how does Jesus judge the quality of the follower's faith?

Join us Sunday in worship to hear more. It might just be worth the mustard! 

With joy,

Steven

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The Prodigals

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 28, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Last week we engaged two parables on ‘lostness’, actually ‘lost and foundness’ as the shepherd sought, called for, and found the lamb who had strayed and a woman who refused to give up on finding a lost coin. What we saw in each was perseverance and determination, but we were also shown love, inexhaustible love. And as each found that for which they searched, they rejoiced, but, more precisely, they partied! We are shown the joy on earth and told of great joy in the heavenly realm.

This week we engage the third parable in the series. It's one of the most familiar, most beloved parables that I suggest is mis-titled and ultimately sold short. Not one of the principals is beyond reproach and we don’t have to look far to see ourselves, which proves again the gift of scripture: ancient, yet relevant right now – thank you Jesus. Who are you in the narrative? You might be surprised!

Let’s position ourselves for the grace that is promised. Invite a friend, or someone you’d like to be one. See you Sunday.

In great anticipation –

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Lost and Found

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

As Chapter 14 closes, Luke mentions that "great crowds are following Jesus." He doesn’t identify them as devotees or disciples, so it’s left to us to imagine who would be on the road with this itinerant Phenom. I don’t believe Jesus is purposefully winnowing or culling, but it’s clear that he is urging them to acknowledge there are consequences, costs that must be considered. He tells them, “Listen well if you would understand my meaning.”

We know that even the disciples, or especially the disciples aren’t always quick on the uptake, so Jesus comes from a different angle to communicate the simple, often mundane, but remarkable love of God.

He tells three parables, one not unlike the others, all about…being lost? being found? being cared for, sought, loved, celebrated? Yes! This Sunday, a lamb and a coin. Next week, a son. 

In our time, in these times that seem more perilous each day, we see the profound patience of a love that will not let us go. So let’s come together to pray, sing, to hold each other. Where else do you spend a few minutes to be strengthened and positioned in the grace of the God of love for the week? 

See you Sunday – 
In great anticipation,

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Keep a Lid on It

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

This week is not unlike recent weeks as human beings are shot, peoples displaced, and the fabric of our culture ripped. Except the fellow assassinated was young, handsome, charismatic, a husband, a father, a favorite of those in power. His legacy as varied as the intensity of his discourse.

No one should be murdered for their beliefs. What shall we do, the people of God – which God? ...Yahweh? ...Jesus ...opportunity? Or the god of "because I can"?

An organization, Redeeming Babel, was formed to "pursue a biblically faithful approach to politics that offers a hopeful alternative to the polarization currently besetting so many communities." It offers –

• We grieve. We lament the violence itself and the brokenness it exposes in our common life.

• We pray. For those who loved Charlie Kirk, for leaders who must act wisely, and for peace in our nation.

• We resist despair. As David declares, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Our ultimate security does not rest in elections, guns, or courts, but in Christ.

Our text this Sunday is from the Book of James,

"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

"In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God."

In Christ we trust, we hope, we live.

See you Sunday – invite a friend!

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Our Firm Foundation

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Here’s a note at the end of the week this first week in September with an invitation, no, rather a request – please, come to Homecoming Sunday – come to church. Not an unreasonable request, you may think to yourself. But with the weather holding, last chances at the beach, the mountains, or on the boat…

I know that many, if not most of you, are firmly tethered to this community. You respond when called upon. You love Jesus. But… Jesus calls us to be in community. We are stronger, more effective together, and we have more fun – we are better together and face time is essential.

So this Sunday, come and share a potluck lunch, welcome new members, imagine how you may be involved this coming year, celebrate communion and our call to share the joy and the radical reality of Jesus.  

 With great joy in being your pastor, 

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