The picture above is a classic view of the Empire State Building. This picture was taken from the observation deck of "30 Rock," at the iconic Rockefeller Center in New York City. We took this while showing our nephew and niece around "the Big Apple" in the summer of 2012.
SERMONS & SUCH
In the congregations we serve now (plus past congregations), we celebrate a "liturgical season" you won't find many places - the "Season of Thanksgiving." This year, our theme for the season is giving thanks for being part of the community of faith and the Sunday following "superstorm" Sandy, we looked at giving thanks by showing "the new life in Christ." Here's Mitch's sermon for that Sunday. Because of the damage to our sanctuary roof from the storm, we moved into Fellowship Hall for worship...
Excuse the quality of the video and sound, but this was too fun not to share. In October 2012, we had the opportunity to officiate at the wedding of a clergy colleague. He asked us to do something "creative and different." You'll have to judge for yourselves. One funny moment came after the wedding when a young person congratulated us on using modern technology (Sue had the service on her Nook Color, Mitch had it on his Android tablet). We had to admit it wasn't just because we were so up-to-date on the latest tech items, but the fact that you can increase the font size on your documents to a MUCH bigger size.
During our "Season of Thanks Giving," Sue explored what "evangelism" means...
Sue questions conventional "wisdom"...
Sue preached this one on September 30, 2012, and you can watch it at this link to our Vimeo channel. The Scripture lesson is from the Letter of James (The Message by Eugene Peterson):
"Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way."
"Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way."
Here one of Mitch's sermon podcasts, from Easter 2012...
Here's one you haven't seen before...
When was the last time you saw a sermon given by a clown, let alone a sermon on the Trinity? Well, here's the link to exactly that.
And to experience a little of the "joy" of the Advent season, check out this video of Sue. Or you can watch a higher quality video at our Vimeo site.
And to experience a little of the "joy" of the Advent season, check out this video of Sue. Or you can watch a higher quality video at our Vimeo site.