He held no office, discussed no legislation, didn’t “rule” over anybody, said nothing about partisan issues. But the establishment feared him. Pastor Elisabeth explores Peter’s and the other disciple’s encounter with the Risen Jesus while fishing in Galilee. Jesus tells Peter 3 times, that if he loves Him, he must feed His sheep. Throughout Jesus’…
This version edits to include only the key readings and sermon during this emotionally and spiritually powerful service. Included are Julia Ward Howell’s original Mother’s Day proclamation, a reading from Psalms, readings from women in difficult situations around the world, and a moving sermon by Pastor Elisabeth.
Christ has risen, indeed! Pastor Elisabeth describes how each gospel writer tells a different resurrection story as if their experiences were too big and too mysterious for one account. The Gospel of Mark ends his resurrection story rather abruptly, almost as if he was saying ‘this is my story, now go tell you resurrection story.’ She asserts God takes the smallest of openings in difficult and hopeless situations and breathes new life into them. The world needs to hear our resurrection stories of seeing the opening and finding love and new beginnings again and again. (Mark 16:1-8)
Palm Sunday represents Jesus’ challenge to us to “reconstitute the world” to use Adrienne Rich’s phrase. Pastor Elisabeth describes the “humble” entrance to Jerusalem as a fierce challenge to the dominate religious and imperial power structure by siding with the poor and using love to lift up the outcast. This love can heal the deepest…
Rev. Elisabeth Middleberg, March 3, 2024 Rev Elisabeth Middelberg discusses finding strength in these difficult times. She starts by quoting Wendell Berry’s poem “When despair for the world grows in me…” and affirms the Irish poet David White’s “It is still possible to fully understand, that you have always been the place where the miracle…
On January 13 our little church was filled to overflowing (literally!) with friends and family to honor the life of long-time member Mary Dowling. At the reception, guests enjoyed the above 10-minute video of family pictures from Mary’s life.
Our guest preacher, Rev. Barry Cammer, addressed the moral dilemma surrounding race in America. Thoughtful whites of our generation are well aware of the racism that is woven throughout our history, and we sincerely hope for a day when it’s behind us. Yet, every day, in dozens of ways large and small, we continue to…
Stories about Doubting Thomas (or is it Faithful Thomas?) and the Resurrection are the focus of today’s sermon. Also we hear from the leader of Sonoma Habitat for Humanity.
Easter: We celebrate something really surprising happening. The cross is transformed from a symbol of oppression to a symbol of flowering hope.
Palm Sunday: Holy Week begins! Triumph? Foreshadowing?Misunderstanding? A challenge? Deeper Truth? (Scripture Matthew 21:1-11)