Christmas Eve Family Service
Lead by Adrienne Armes December 24, 2021 As we gather for our second COVID Christmas Service, we celebrate the birth of Jesus with the help of our children. Video:
December 2021
October 2021
Standing on the Right Side~ The Gospel According to Matthew 25: 31-40
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley October 10, 2021 Our reading tells the story of the separating of people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Jesus is not dividing but drawing attention to what kind of person we are. When a person, organization, nation, or government opposes the full equality of queer people, [...]
September 2021
A Just Peace~ Matthew 5: 1-9
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley September 19, 2021 In Europe, church is more associated with war. Rev. Shockley traveled to Germany during his vacation and gained some insight into this association. Matthew differs from Luke on the Beatitude, blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew may have wanted to reflect on the devastating impact of war. He [...]
November 2020
The Least of These~ Matthew 25: 31-46
Given by Rev. Adrienne Armes November 22, 2020 Today, our Youth Minister, gives us words of wisdom. We gather as one church even though we are physically apart. We are thankful for the technology that allows us to be a community. Rev. Armes shares her journey of faith. The parable today emphasizes action, love, and [...]
October 2020
The Great Debate~ Matthew 22: 15-22
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley October 18, 2020 Throughout Jesus's life, he is engaged in debate. During his ministry, the Pharisees were usually his opponents. For example, Jesus questioned them on what was more important to God, what goes in your mouth or what comes out of your mouth. Today's text has asked the question [...]
August 2020
Blessed And Broken People~Matthew 1-4, 13-21
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley August 2, 2020 Today's lesson is inspired by the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand on the hillside. This is Jesus having church outdoors. The meal that Jesus shared with the people was a sacrament. Jesus did not need a pandemic in order to show compassion to the poor, [...]
July 2020
Loamy Christians~ Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley July 12, 2020 Our parable today asks the question of what word is being sown. It is implied that it is Jesus's message about the arrival of the Empire of God. There are different interpretations of what the Empire of God means in different theological frames. The Individual frame believes [...]
June 2020
You’re Welcome~Matthew 10: 40-42
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley June 28, 2020 Those who welcome you are welcoming me. Those that welcome me are welcoming the One who sent me. The lesson we learn from Jesus is that, sometimes, welcoming someone is not always easy. By reading the entire 10th chapter, we can better understand the true meaning of [...]
Help Wanted, Hard Work~ Matthew 9: 35 – 10:1
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley June 14, 2020 Today, our theme is help wanted. The message from Jesus is that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. As we are healing from COVID-19, we can help by wearing masks and social distancing. Pilgrim is doing its part by being cautious concerning opening. We [...]
April 2020
The Passion of the Pandemic~ Matthew 26: 14-23
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley April 5, 2020 On this Psalm Sunday, we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. This also marks the beginning of the passion narrative recalling Jesus's suffering and death. After the celebration of his arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus sat with the disciples for dinner. He tells them that [...]
March 2020
Cursed By Consciousnesses, Blessed By Conscience~Matthew 4: 1-11
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley March 1, 2020 Lent is a time of somber reflection. Standing in God's love allows us to confess and be transformed. The human condition is both a curse and a blessing. Our consciousness tells us what is going on in this world. There is a lot of tragedy happening. This [...]
February 2020
Blessed are the Troublemakers~Matthew 5: 1-12
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley February 2, 2020 The Sermon on the Mount goes to the heart of Jesus's teachings. We need to put it in context though. We must read the gospels through the len of a radical hermeneutic. We each bring our own interpretations to the text. We must acknowledge that bias as [...]
January 2020
Follow Who~Matthew 4:12-23
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley January 26 2020 According to the church calendar, we turn our focus to Jesus's ministry. Last week, we talked about the baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist was his mentor. When John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee. There he continued to spread the gospel. Jesus was spreading the movement. [...]
You Are Enough~ Matthew 3: 13-17
Given by Jude Johnson January 12 2020 Today, we are examining the jump in Matthew from Jesus's family running from Herod after being warned by the three kings to Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River. This is a span of thirty years. At the river, John and Jesus go back and forth about who [...]
Does The Light Still Shine In Bethlehem?~ Matthew 2: 1-12
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley January 5 2020 Happy New Year! When we think about the city of Bethlehem where Jesus was born, we imagine a stable, livestock, and some hay. Today, Bethlehem is just like a any other city. It is a bustling Palestinian city. Our preconceptions are challenged. It now has a large [...]
December 2019
A Tyrant, a Terror, and a Toddler~ Matthew 2: 13-23
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley December 29 2019 According to scripture, Jesus is in danger soon after he is born. The holy family must escape to Egypt from King Herod. We have a lot of historical information about Herod. He reigned for 40 years. Herod wanted to change the landscape of Israel in order to [...]