Sermon: Praying for Jesus’ Baptism? January 12, 2020

Epiphany 1: Baptism of Jesus William Bradbury Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 One of my favorite collects starts this way: “O God…Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ….” Is it possible to share...

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Sermon: Who’s Side Are We On? January 5, 2020

The Epiphany + William Bradbury + Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7,10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 Some of you will remember radio personality Paul Harvey who had a regular segment that aired everyday called, “The Rest of the Story”, in which he would tell the unknown story behind the known story in...

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Sermon: Context of Christmas + December 29, 2019

Sermon: First Sunday after Christmas Day Contemplative Service: John 1:1-18 + William Bradbury The story of Christmas can only be understood within its proper context. Luke and Matthew tell the story Jesus’ birth within the context of the people of Israel living under the domination of the Roman Empire.  When...

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Sermon: The Real Gift of Christmas

Christmas Eve 2019 + William Bradbury Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14(15-20) On the order of the government, a pregnant girl and her fiancé travel 90 miles to his ancestral home, where she gives birth to her first-born son and places him in a manger. There is no...

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Sermon: Which World Do You Live In? December 22, 2019

   Sermon+Advent 4+December 22, 2019+ William Bradbury Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 As a senior in high school I bought my first music system: It was made by Panasonic and had detachable box speakers to give that stereo sound we all craved. The gospels also give...

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Sermon: Time for Soul-Force? December 15, 2019

Sermon: Advent 3-A + William Bradbury Isaiah 35:1-10+Psalm 146:4-9+James 5:7-10+Matthew 11:2-11 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” This is a foundational...

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Sermon: Going All In On Repentance

      Sermon-December 8, 2019-William Bradbury Advent 2-Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Well, if there is a kingdom coming there must also be a king...

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Sermon:Is Jesus’ Coming Good News?

Sermon–Advent One+-December 1, 2019+William Bradbury Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 The word Advent means “coming”. Around here, facing a long winter, we say we can’t wait for the advent of spring. We usually think of the Season of Advent, as four weeks to prepare for our celebration...

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Sermon: Strange King November 24, 2019

Christ proclaims the arrival of the Kingdom of God: “Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” CEB Christ describes the Kingdom of God: it is like a small lump of leaven in a large quantity of dough; it is like a shepherd who...

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