Sermons on Bible Stories
A Circle of Life
Sunday November 14 2021A Circle of Lifematthew 14: 13-21Adam Lubbers Scripture 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted…
The Father & The Prodigal Son
Sunday July 25 2021The Rest of the Story: The Father & The Prodigal SonLuke 15:11-24Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch This is a story about forgiveness, but the rest of the story asks the question “Who is the Prodigal?” Scripture 11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13…
Daniel & The Lions
This is a story about Daniel’s courage, but the rest of the story is about choosing where to put one’s ultimate loyalty.
Jesus & The Paralyzed Man
This is a story of healing, but the rest of the story is about the power of communal faith.
Jonah & The Whale
This is a story about a reluctant prophet swallowed by a whale, but the rest of the story is how a Jewish nationalist was forced to extend God’s mercy to those he hates most, challenging our human understanding of justice.
Noah & The Ark
Sunday June 27 2021 The Rest Of The Story: Noah & The Ark Genesis 6:5-8, 13-14, 17-19 NRSV Rev Jessica Wright This is a story about a chosen family tending a floating zoo, but the rest of the story is about humankind’s tendency toward corruption, sin, and violence while God chooses mercy, making the first covenant with humankind we find in our Bible. Scripture 5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every…
David & Goliath
Sunday June 20 2021 Father’s Day The Rest Of The Story: David & Goliath 1 Samuel 17:38-50 NRSVRev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch This is a story about a young hero, but the rest of the story is about David’s motivation and doing the thing you’re already really good at. Scripture 38 Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor,…
Mary & The Angel
Sunday June 13 2021 The Rest Of The Story: Mary & The Angel Luke 1:26-38 NRSV Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-CroucH This is a story about God choosing Mary to be the mother of Jesus, but the rest of the story is how she was favored by God. Scripture 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the…
Adam & Eve
Sunday June 6 2021 The Rest Of The Story: Adam & Eve Genesis 3: 1-13 Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch This is a story about the human habit of sin, but the rest of the story is God’s ongoing effort at redemption. Scripture 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The…