Eight Ways to Easter
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon for Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025) For this Easter message I challenged seven other ordained ministers to share the Easter message in one sentence. Together, we delivered the Easter sermon for 2025. While most people know WHAT happened on Easter, it is quite another thing to say what it means. If you had to do it in one sentence, what would it be? Why does it matter?
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There's a New King in Town
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
Sermon preached April 13, 2025, Palm Sunday) Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem wasn't a Disney parade, it was a planned act of nonviolent resistance. He was stirring up "good trouble." (Luke 19:29-44)
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Noooooooo! Not Him!
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached April 6, 2025) Zacchaeus complicates our assumptions (Luke 19:1-10). Is there such a thing as an honorable chief tax collector?
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Between Lost and Found
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached March 30, 2025, Lent 4) Jesus' parable of the lost sheep is told in response to grumbling by the scribes and Pharisees (Luke 15:1-7). This sermon is intended to disrupt our default understanding of what it means to be lost and broaden it out to those who are excluded, demonized, and unjustly treated (to name a few).
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Grounded Ministry
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached March 16, 2025) In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus affirms the importance of building a rock-solid foundation in his word.
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Strangers AND Neigbhors
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached March 9, 2025, Lent 1) The story of the man left beaten by the side of the road is told in Luke 10:25-37. A lawyer tests Jesus and ends up being the one who is tested. He wants to know what he must do and Jesus tells him who he must become.
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Jesus' Exodus
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached March 2, 2025) Luke 9:28-36 tells the story of Jesus' transfiguration and is often read the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. It functions like a book end to the resurrection story and encourages us for what lies ahead.
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Are You The One?
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached February 16, 2025) Luke 7:18-35 is a long reading included in the narrative lectionary for this year. John the Baptist is in prison and sends messengers to Jesus to ask him if he is the one. It is an important question for our time as we strive to understand what it means to be a Christian and follow Jesus today.
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Mercy Anyway
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached February 9, 2025) Two healing stories (Luke 7:1-17) show Jesus' mercy toward two dramatically different people. The challenge of Jesus, regardless of who is in need, is to show mercy anyway.
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Deep Water
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached January 25, 2025) Luke 5:1-11 tells the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. He tells Simon Peter, "From now on you will be catching people." This sermon invites us to re-imagine our understanding of "catching" in the context of this story.
info_outline(The sermon preached October 27, 2024) Many congregations with property, like FCCO, are approaching the crossroads of declining numbers and rising costs. Tough decisions have to be made when the property ceases to serve the ministry. This sermon explores how our campus is currently used and appeals to steward it well.