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Click on "Sermon Title" for PDF.
11/23/2014 -- A Traditional Puritan Thanksgiving
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Luke 17:11-19
We celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday by honoring our Pilgrim fore-fathers and mothers in a service that would have vaguely resembled what they might have done, lo those many years ago. Many things have changed, of course, but most of all, we recognized the sovereignty of God in all things and sought to give thanks for the entirety of God's provision for us. Then we headed downstairs for our annual Pie Feast. Today, I have posted the entire service so you can get a sense of what they did, and what we did. PDF and audio are available.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving and may the Lord bless you and your family!
Pastor Seth
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Luke 17:11-19
We celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday by honoring our Pilgrim fore-fathers and mothers in a service that would have vaguely resembled what they might have done, lo those many years ago. Many things have changed, of course, but most of all, we recognized the sovereignty of God in all things and sought to give thanks for the entirety of God's provision for us. Then we headed downstairs for our annual Pie Feast. Today, I have posted the entire service so you can get a sense of what they did, and what we did. PDF and audio are available.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving and may the Lord bless you and your family!
Pastor Seth
11/16/14 -- "The Cross: Keeping the Faith"
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Luke 9:18-28
Today, we finished our series on the stained glass windows in our sanctuary. It has been a valuable exploration of our space and the weaving of tradition, symbol and Scripture has been a blessing to help us realize the presence of God within our space and our lives.
No PDF this week, but the audio is below.
Enjoy!
Blessings to all.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Luke 9:18-28
Today, we finished our series on the stained glass windows in our sanctuary. It has been a valuable exploration of our space and the weaving of tradition, symbol and Scripture has been a blessing to help us realize the presence of God within our space and our lives.
No PDF this week, but the audio is below.
Enjoy!
Blessings to all.
10/26/14 -- "Window #8: The Good Shepherd"
This week, we looked at our last big stained glass window - The Good Shepherd window at the back of the church. As we close our Pentecost season, we have explored all the windows in the church, except one. We will talk about the last one in three weeks.
Next Sunday, our guest preacher will be Rev. Ralph Miller.
The following Sunday, David Pier will be our guest preacher.
This week, we looked at our last big stained glass window - The Good Shepherd window at the back of the church. As we close our Pentecost season, we have explored all the windows in the church, except one. We will talk about the last one in three weeks.
Next Sunday, our guest preacher will be Rev. Ralph Miller.
The following Sunday, David Pier will be our guest preacher.
10/19/14 -- "Psalm 23: Leading Sheep"
This week, we dove deeply into the beautiful Psalm 23. As my guide, I used Phillip Keller's lovely little book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23". I have both the audio and the PDF this week. Next week we will look at our Good Shepherd stained glass window and continue our exploration of what it means to be shepherded by God.
This week, we dove deeply into the beautiful Psalm 23. As my guide, I used Phillip Keller's lovely little book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23". I have both the audio and the PDF this week. Next week we will look at our Good Shepherd stained glass window and continue our exploration of what it means to be shepherded by God.
10/12/14 -- "Window #7: Let Your Light So Shine"
Scripture: Mark 11:15-19; Matthew 5:13-16, 21-26
Our seventh stained glass window gives us an insight into what we do with our new identity in Christ. It is as if the light of Christ were a lens which transforms difficulties and evil into virtue and hope and love. No PDF this week, but you can listen to the audio below.
Scripture: Mark 11:15-19; Matthew 5:13-16, 21-26
Our seventh stained glass window gives us an insight into what we do with our new identity in Christ. It is as if the light of Christ were a lens which transforms difficulties and evil into virtue and hope and love. No PDF this week, but you can listen to the audio below.
10/05/14 -- "The Beatitudes: What They Mean to Us"
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-11
The Beatitudes are often spoken of as what we should do, and this is true, but they are more a statement on who we are as followers of Christ. The Beatitudes speak to our identity, the attitude by which we approach our actions in the world, and how we should respond to actions of the world towards us. PDF is above; Audio below.
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-11
The Beatitudes are often spoken of as what we should do, and this is true, but they are more a statement on who we are as followers of Christ. The Beatitudes speak to our identity, the attitude by which we approach our actions in the world, and how we should respond to actions of the world towards us. PDF is above; Audio below.
09/28/14 -- "Window #6: Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant"
The parables of Jesus are most informative when we can put ourselves in the position of all the characters in the parable. Today, we explored what it means for our spiritual lives if we see the world from the perspective of the Forgiving Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the Seeking Shepherd in the parable of the Lost Sheep and the Man on the Side of the Road in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Audio below; PDF above! Peace and blessings to all! Pastor Seth |
09/21/14 -- Hospitality House Sunday
Scripture: Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 25:31-46
This morning, we welcomed Stephanie Primm to our church. She is the Executive Director of Knox County Homeless Coalition and oversees Hospitality House. Hospitality House has had some excellent outcomes by providing services which "wrap-around" the client so they can achieve stability, independence and housing in a short period of time. Thank you, Stephanie, for joining us this morning!
Scripture: Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 25:31-46
This morning, we welcomed Stephanie Primm to our church. She is the Executive Director of Knox County Homeless Coalition and oversees Hospitality House. Hospitality House has had some excellent outcomes by providing services which "wrap-around" the client so they can achieve stability, independence and housing in a short period of time. Thank you, Stephanie, for joining us this morning!
09/14/14 -- Christ in Symbolism: Signs and Symbols of the Faith
Scripture: Genesis 40:1-8; Matthew 13:10-17
This week we got deep into the study of signs, or semiotics. Semiotics has long been a fascination of mine, ever since reading The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco. Today, we tied the nature of signs and symbols to the life of faith in Christ. I would also recommend an excellent book by Crystal Downing, called Changing Signs of Truth: A Christian Introduction into the Semiotics of Communication. Understanding how we use signs and symbols, and more importantly, how they use us, helps us learn how better to communicate what we believe and why, even as the foundations and moorings of the culture shift and change around us (as they always do).
No audio again this week. PDF only.
Peace to all!
Scripture: Genesis 40:1-8; Matthew 13:10-17
This week we got deep into the study of signs, or semiotics. Semiotics has long been a fascination of mine, ever since reading The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco. Today, we tied the nature of signs and symbols to the life of faith in Christ. I would also recommend an excellent book by Crystal Downing, called Changing Signs of Truth: A Christian Introduction into the Semiotics of Communication. Understanding how we use signs and symbols, and more importantly, how they use us, helps us learn how better to communicate what we believe and why, even as the foundations and moorings of the culture shift and change around us (as they always do).
No audio again this week. PDF only.
Peace to all!
09/07/14 - Stained Glass Window 5:
Let the Children Come Unto Me
Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11; Matthew 19:13-26
The sermon is in PDF only this week, because there is a problem with my recording equipment. Or rather with my Nexus 7 2012, which is beginning to reach the outer edge of its built in obsolescence.
Let the Children Come Unto Me
Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11; Matthew 19:13-26
The sermon is in PDF only this week, because there is a problem with my recording equipment. Or rather with my Nexus 7 2012, which is beginning to reach the outer edge of its built in obsolescence.
08/31/14 -- ASK THE PASTOR! Sunday
Every so often, I solicit questions from the congregation and then answer them. The questions are both written before time and immediate, during the service. It is a challenge and invigorating, for the congregation and for me. The audio is here:
Every so often, I solicit questions from the congregation and then answer them. The questions are both written before time and immediate, during the service. It is a challenge and invigorating, for the congregation and for me. The audio is here:
08/24/14 -- Chaplain Abby Pettee
Was our guest preacher and worship leader. Abby is the Chaplain at Pen Bay Medical Center and is seeking ordination with the Episcopal Church. She is associated with St. Thomas Episcopal in Camden, Maine and has a deep interest in mental health issues and removing the stigma and judgments toward those issues. Thank you, Abby, for leading worship at our church!
Was our guest preacher and worship leader. Abby is the Chaplain at Pen Bay Medical Center and is seeking ordination with the Episcopal Church. She is associated with St. Thomas Episcopal in Camden, Maine and has a deep interest in mental health issues and removing the stigma and judgments toward those issues. Thank you, Abby, for leading worship at our church!
08/17/14 -- "The Beloved Physician: Window #4"
Scripture: Luke 5:15-16; Mark 9:13-24; Matthew 17:1-8
Our window this week is all about Hope:
The Source of Hope, The Effects of Hope and the Connection to Hope.
Nothing written this week, only sound!
Peace and grace and hope to all!
Pastor Seth
Scripture: Luke 5:15-16; Mark 9:13-24; Matthew 17:1-8
Our window this week is all about Hope:
The Source of Hope, The Effects of Hope and the Connection to Hope.
Nothing written this week, only sound!
Peace and grace and hope to all!
Pastor Seth
08/10/14 -- "What the...? 'He Descended Into Hell': What Does it Mean?"
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22; Mark 9:33-37, 42-50
Today we talked about Hell.
What the word means. Where the word comes from. What Jesus meant by it. What it means in the Apostles' Creed.
I have posted my outline for the sermon. Audio is below.
Peace and blessings to All!
Pastor Seth Jones
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22; Mark 9:33-37, 42-50
Today we talked about Hell.
What the word means. Where the word comes from. What Jesus meant by it. What it means in the Apostles' Creed.
I have posted my outline for the sermon. Audio is below.
Peace and blessings to All!
Pastor Seth Jones
08/3/14 -- "Stained Glass Window #3:
Christus Victor and The Great Invitation"
Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9; Colossians 2:5-9; Matthew 27:35-55
We talked about our third stained glass window in the meetinghouse this morning. I tied the discussion into different views of Christ's work on the Cross - soteriology is the 'seminary' word for it.
The audio is jumpy this week. Glean what you can from it. Sorry about that! Tech has not been friendly to me over the past few days. No written sermon this week, but I did link the mind map I used, for those who are interested.
Christus Victor and The Great Invitation"
Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9; Colossians 2:5-9; Matthew 27:35-55
We talked about our third stained glass window in the meetinghouse this morning. I tied the discussion into different views of Christ's work on the Cross - soteriology is the 'seminary' word for it.
The audio is jumpy this week. Glean what you can from it. Sorry about that! Tech has not been friendly to me over the past few days. No written sermon this week, but I did link the mind map I used, for those who are interested.
07/27/14 -- "Persecution Then and Now: Part 2"
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:8-13; Hebrews 13:1-3; John 15:18-27
We continued our discussion of persecution today. We looked at what we can do to stand in solidarity with those who are being persecuted around the world today.
The audio is below and the PDF is available by clicking on the title of the message above.
Peace to all!
Pastor Seth
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:8-13; Hebrews 13:1-3; John 15:18-27
We continued our discussion of persecution today. We looked at what we can do to stand in solidarity with those who are being persecuted around the world today.
The audio is below and the PDF is available by clicking on the title of the message above.
Peace to all!
Pastor Seth
07/20/2014 -- "Persecution Then and Now: Part 1"
Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, 7:54-8:3; Matthew 10:16-23
Persecution is very real in the world today. For those of us who follow Christ, we need to know there are people, our brothers and sisters in faith, who are dying, imprisoned, tortured and suffering because of what they believe. This is what we are exploring for the next 2 weeks. If this is important to you, please check out Open Doors International. There are other groups who work with persecuted Christians around the world as well.
Below is the audio from this week.
Blessings to all!
Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, 7:54-8:3; Matthew 10:16-23
Persecution is very real in the world today. For those of us who follow Christ, we need to know there are people, our brothers and sisters in faith, who are dying, imprisoned, tortured and suffering because of what they believe. This is what we are exploring for the next 2 weeks. If this is important to you, please check out Open Doors International. There are other groups who work with persecuted Christians around the world as well.
Below is the audio from this week.
Blessings to all!
07/13/2014 -- "Resisting Temptation and Accepting Blessing" -
Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-8,11; Matthew 4:1-11
We continued our discussion of our second stained glass window today.
We also had a blessing of our new parking lot, which was completed about 2 weeks ago.
Thank you to all who made this a successful fundraising effort and got the job done quickly!
No audio this week. Sorry!
Peace to all.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-8,11; Matthew 4:1-11
We continued our discussion of our second stained glass window today.
We also had a blessing of our new parking lot, which was completed about 2 weeks ago.
Thank you to all who made this a successful fundraising effort and got the job done quickly!
No audio this week. Sorry!
Peace to all.
07/06/2014 -- "Teaching in the Temple, Turning to God, Tempted by the World"
Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-7, 14-17;
Matthew 4:1-7; Luke 3:15-22
This week, we continued our discussion on the stained glass windows in our meetinghouse. Images convey much information and these windows suggest much about our lives of faith. I have put the whole sermon below, but for the sake of time, I divided it into two weeks. Next weekend, we will discuss temptation.
Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-7, 14-17;
Matthew 4:1-7; Luke 3:15-22
This week, we continued our discussion on the stained glass windows in our meetinghouse. Images convey much information and these windows suggest much about our lives of faith. I have put the whole sermon below, but for the sake of time, I divided it into two weeks. Next weekend, we will discuss temptation.
06/22/2014 -- "Entertaining Angels: The Angels and Us"
Scripture: Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:5-14; Mark 1:12-13
The image above is from the opening scene of Wim Wender's excellent movie "Wings of Desire", a 1987 film about guardian angels. Peter Falk plays himself in it and it is truly a beautiful film.
Today we began the other part of our Pentecost sermon series. Suggestions from the congregation will be preached upon on the weeks we do not talk about the windows in our church.
This week, I only have audio. I have uploaded the mind-map I used as a PDF, so you can follow along with that. I have also included the quotes I referenced here.
Audio is below.
Peace and blessings to all!
Scripture: Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:5-14; Mark 1:12-13
The image above is from the opening scene of Wim Wender's excellent movie "Wings of Desire", a 1987 film about guardian angels. Peter Falk plays himself in it and it is truly a beautiful film.
Today we began the other part of our Pentecost sermon series. Suggestions from the congregation will be preached upon on the weeks we do not talk about the windows in our church.
This week, I only have audio. I have uploaded the mind-map I used as a PDF, so you can follow along with that. I have also included the quotes I referenced here.
Audio is below.
Peace and blessings to all!
06/15/2014 -- Window 1 - Leaving, then Beginning Again
Scripture: Psalm 121; Matthew 2:13-15; Luke 1:26-38
Today we started our exploration of our stained glass windows. The first one we spoke about is pictured above. Both the PDF and audio are available. Enjoy!
Scripture: Psalm 121; Matthew 2:13-15; Luke 1:26-38
Today we started our exploration of our stained glass windows. The first one we spoke about is pictured above. Both the PDF and audio are available. Enjoy!
06/08/2014 -- Pentecost Sunday -- The Body of Christ Sent Forth
Scripture: Numbers 11:24-30; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 (John 7:37-39)
Sunday was Pentecost, the celebration of the beginning of the Church. This is a day when we enter into the life of the Holy Spirit, through whom we know the truth about God and Jesus Christ. The theology is pretty heavy, but the effect is quite apparent. When we begin to become like Christ, things change rapidly - within us and within in the world.
For the Pentecost Season, we will be exploring our stained glass windows and message requests from the Congregation. Please join us for an interesting and exciting summer!
Scripture: Numbers 11:24-30; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 (John 7:37-39)
Sunday was Pentecost, the celebration of the beginning of the Church. This is a day when we enter into the life of the Holy Spirit, through whom we know the truth about God and Jesus Christ. The theology is pretty heavy, but the effect is quite apparent. When we begin to become like Christ, things change rapidly - within us and within in the world.
For the Pentecost Season, we will be exploring our stained glass windows and message requests from the Congregation. Please join us for an interesting and exciting summer!