Sermon Summary – Third Sunday of Advent
Mary: The Simple Girl at the Center of Everything
Luke 1:26–38

Sermon Summary
December 7, 2025—
Second Sunday in Advent
“Silence that Prepares Us for Peace”
Luke 1:57–66

Sermon Summary
November 30, 2025—
First Sunday in Advent
“Joseph: Righteous in the Waiting”
Matthew 1:18–25

Christmas Eve Message
“Waking Up to Wonder”
(Luke 2:1–20)

 Sermon: “Following the Star”

 (Matthew 2:1–12)

When I grew up, trust came easily. Mom would send us out for hours to play in the woods and walk the roads without worrying about us. I don’t know whether that was trust or simply naïveté. My father would watch Walter Cronkite, and whatever he said, that was the truth. Parents trusted the judgement and the word of teachers. Neighbors looked out for each other.

The Family Tree of Grace

Matthew 1:1–17

Big Idea: Jesus’ family tree shows that God’s grace reaches both the broken outsider, and the fallen insider, and only Christ, the true King can redeem us all.

Title:  "Yielding the Spotlight"
Date:  January 18, 2026
Scripture:  John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42 tells the story of John the Baptist pointing to Jesus with the words, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” His ministry of baptism and repentance had drawn great crowds, yet his true mission was not about himself. He baptized faithfully, waiting for the one person God would reveal as the Messiah. When Jesus appeared, John recognized him and gladly stepped aside so that Christ might increase.

 Bulletin Sermon Summary
January 25, 2026
“Catch and Release”
(Matthew 4:12–23)

 When Jesus called the first disciples beside the Sea of Galilee, he invited them into something far larger than a career change. He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” It was an invitation to transformation, to learn the patient, artful work of presenting the gospel in the living currents of the world.

When the Waters Rise
Joshua 3:7-17
February 1, 2026

When life’s floodwaters rise, when obstacles seem impassable, and when fears threaten to pull us under, our instinct is to rely on ourselves. We build our own defenses: plans, barriers, and strategies to keep our feet dry. Yet the story of Israel at the Jordan reminds us that salvation never begins with human strength but with divine presence.

“Then Your Light Will Break Forth”
A Summary February 8, 2026
Isaiah 58:1–12

All of us have known seasons when we pray and wonder whether God is listening. When life becomes heavy, we often slip into spiritual troubleshooting—praying more, reading more, searching our hearts for anything out of alignment. Israel once did the same. They had returned from exile with hope, rebuilt their worship life, and resumed faithful practices. Yet the world around them still seemed stuck. Fields failed, spirits sagged, and disappointment grew. Their question became ours: “God, why aren’t You answering?”

SERMON SUMMARY
“Trusting God Instead of Playing God”
Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7

When Laura and I were foster parents, we quickly learned that children who have been let down often test boundaries. They do this not because they want trouble but because they want to know if you will stay. Our foster daughter did this constantly. I remember buying her a Dora the Explorer balloon as a treat. Moments later she calmly waved as it floated away, as if she expected even good things to drift out of her life. She trusted her own inner judgment that said “do not get attached” more than she trusted love. That led to many power struggles, although what she truly longed for was connection.

Sermon Summary

“Respond to the Word”
March 1, 2026
James 1:17–27

In a world overflowing with words, advice, and opinions, many people quietly wonder why real spiritual change can feel so slow. We hear Scripture read, sermons preached, and prayers offered, yet growth often seems harder than expected. James speaks directly into this tension, not to shame the church, but to tell the truth about how faith can drift when familiarity replaces transformation.

Sermon Summary
"Encouraging Words of Mercy"
March 8, 2026
James 2:1–17; Mark 2:17

Most of us know what it feels like to be judged by a quick glance. Often without meaning to, we size people up and make quiet decisions about who belongs, who matters, and who is worth our attention. These judgments are rarely loud or cruel, but they are powerful. Our words, our tone, and even our silence tell a story about what we value, and that story has consequences.

Sermon Summary:
“Watch Your Words”
March 15, 2026
James 3:1–12; Psalm 19:14

James 3 confronts one of the most familiar and humbling struggles in the Christian life: the power of our words. Most of us can remember a sentence we wish we could take back, or a comment spoken to us that lingered far longer than expected. Words have the ability to direct relationships, ignite conflict, and reveal what is happening deep within us.

Sermon Summary
March 22, 2026
Aggressive Words
(James 4:1–3)

Conflict is not hard to find. It shows up in families, friendships, churches, and communities. Most of us do not intend to start fights, yet we often find ourselves in tense conversations, repeated arguments, and strained relationships. James asks a penetrating question: “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” His answer is surprising. The problem is not primarily external. It is internal. Our desires battle within us.

Sermon Summary
March 31, 2026
“Words That Heal”
James 5:13–20
Passion/Palm Sunday

In James 5:13–20, the apostle speaks not to skeptics but to believers. He asks simple, direct questions: Are you suffering? Pray. Are you cheerful? Sing. Are you sick? Call for the elders. And then comes the invitation that unsettles us: “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” James assumes something we often resist. He assumes that healing happens in an honest community.

Sermon Summary
April 5, 2026
"The Doorway We Don’t Expect"
Matthew 28:1–10

Easter morning often feels triumphant and clear. Yet Matthew’s account of the resurrection reveals something more honest and more human. The women arrive at the tomb expecting death, not new life. Instead, they encounter an earthquake, an angel, an empty grave, and a command: “Do not be afraid… go and tell.” They leave with fear and great joy mixed together. The empty tomb is not a resting place. It is a doorway.

Sermon Summary —
“A Little Encouragement”
April 12, 2026
Text: 1 Peter 1:3–9

Encouragement is a simple gift, yet it carries remarkable power. In a world quick to criticize and slow to affirm, a word of encouragement can strengthen a weary heart and remind someone they are not alone. The film Unbroken captures this truth in a powerful scene where Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, weakened and nearly defeated in a prisoner-of-war camp, finds the strength to continue because fellow prisoners quietly encourage him. Their words restore his courage in a moment when it is almost gone.

Sermon Summary
“When You Feel Like a Number”
April 26, 2026
Text: John 10:1–10

Many people know the experience of feeling like a number. In a world of systems, institutions, and constant noise, it is easy to feel anonymous, overlooked, or reduced to a line in a database. Even when life seems to be functioning on the surface, many people quietly carry the sense that something deeper is missing. Life can begin to feel thin rather than abundant.

Sermon Summary
“When the Heart Gets Crowded”
May 3, 2026
Text: John 14:1–14

In John 14:1–14, Jesus spoke to his disciples at a time when their hearts were deeply troubled. The night before his crucifixion, confusion and fear filled the room. Jesus had spoken about betrayal, denial, and his coming departure. The disciples sensed that something terrible was approaching, but they did not yet understand its meaning. Into that anxiety, Jesus spoke simple but powerful words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.”