Rev. Elisabeth Middelberg left her native land, the Netherlands, in 1984 to come to the United States. Here she completed her license as an Art Therapist, a Marriage and Family Therapist and she finished her Master’s degree in Theology at Pacific School of Religion in 2001. She started the spiritual care department at Kaiser San…
Today’s visiting Pastor, Rev. Kristi Denham, started her career in ministry as a seminary intern 25 years ago here at FCC San Rafael. On this first Sunday in Lent, her sermon examines the idea of a call to ministry . . . Jesus’s call to his disciples in today’s scripture, similar concepts in other religions…
On the fourth Sunday in Advent, Pastor Jeffrey took a serious, affectionate look at the traditional manger scene and explored some of the many, many meanings of the Baby Jesus surrounded by domestic animals. (Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7 and Luke 2:8-12)
For the third Sunday of Advent, Pastor Jeffrey examines the prophesies of a savior for Israel, both the ancient one (Isaiah 7:10-16) and the actual account (Matthew 1: 18-25) almost 700 years later. Turning to today’s world, he suggests that miracles are happening all around us, but, like the birth at Bethlehem, their significance may…
It’s not by chance that our legends place Christ’s birth just after the shortest day of the year. The light of hope replacing fear just when the world seems darkest is probably the most ancient of human prophecies. In our tradition, that transition is Christmas. Pastor Jeffrey examines the corollary: that each of us lighting…
Drawing on the wisdom of both Robert Frost and Yogi Berra, Pastor Jeffrey suggests that this Advent we allow ourselves a little quiet time to contemplate life’s choices and the road less traveled. A less busy, hectic holiday season could create the space necessary for the true magic of Christmas to make itself felt. (Scripture:…
Pastor Jeffrey examines two episodes from the Gospels where Jesus restored a blind person’s sight. Although our medical understanding of physical blindness may be much greater today, “blindness” in the larger sense – – the inability or unwillingness to see a wrong and act to right it – – still afflicts us all. (Scripture: Psalm…
October 3 was Wortld Communion Sunday, and in this sermon Pastor Jeffrey explores the origins of Communion as we practice it today, and he shares some memories of meaningful Communions over the years. (Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:14-17 and Mark 14:22-25)
Pastor Jeffrey examines two of the most frequently-used metaphors in the Gospels: “water,” expressing the idea that His church is for everyone, not a select club; and “salt,” standing for the Gospel message that must be the essential ingredient in all that the Church does. (Scripture: Psalm 19:7-14; Mark 9,38-50)
PastorJeffrey poses a serious question: “Who is great is your eyes, and why?” Someone famous? Or someone who touched you or people near you with their goodness or wisdom? In this sermon, Jeffrey explores Jesus’ efforts to teach this lesson to his desciples in his last days on earth. (Scripture: James 3:13-18, 4:7-8; Mark 9:30-37)