Given by Rev. Madison Shockley April 3, 2022 Paul talks about status in his letter to the Philippians. He is trying to convince them that all human status is worthless compared to the status of every follower of Jesus. Many early Christian communities had trouble divesting themselves of their worldly status. It was especially difficult [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley August 15, 2021 Everyone experiences loss. Bearing witness to death is difficult. It affects us. It reminds us that we are mortal. Just like the Thessalonians, we seek the answer to what happens after death. Paul wrote this letter to try to reassure them that their family and friends were [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley March 7, 2021 Our message today comes from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. The message about the cross is about the power of God. Martyrs throughout history have inspired others to finish the task they sacrificed their life for. Lincoln was a martyr. Lincoln was killed by a white supremacist because [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley December 27, 2020 Today's reading is from Paul's letter to the Galatians. It offers a different perspective to the virginal birth of Jesus. Jesus was born of a woman. This topic has caused trouble for many. Yet, you do not need to believe in a miraculous birth to be a [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley November 29, 2020 The opening words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians show a deep affection for his congregation. In that tradition, Rev. Shockley wants to show why he is thankful for the members of Pilgrim. At our church, we do not wear our religion on our sleeve. [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley August 23, 2020 The words we use in our political discourse have implications in our religious life and the words we use in our religious life have political impact. According to our Constitution, the government cannot act on behalf on any one religion. It cannot support one church, faith, or [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley August 16, 2020 This is a week that women made history. Paul wrote about women leaders in the early church. In this reading, Paul is asking that Phoebe be accepted and treated as an equal. Unfortunately, women are still barred from holding leadership positions in many churches today. What happened [...]
Given by Rev. Michael Vaughn July 5, 2020 The writings of Paul in Romans is densely packed and exacting. He uses so many "I"s, "me"s, and "my"s. This hyper-focus on these words represents our personal struggles. Today, current events bring us to the edge of cultural awareness. Things are changing and we must think anew. [...]
Given By Rev. Madison Shockley June 2, 2019 The reading speaks about an event of the early church. The woman in our reading today had the gift of divination. This made her owners rich. She followed the apostles around and Paul became annoyed. Paul was so annoyed that he cured her to try and make [...]
Given By Rev. Madison Shockley April 21, 2019 at Pilgrim UCC in Carlsbad CA pilgrimucc.org Happy Easter! Christ is risen! This passage from Romans inspires hope. Since Easter falls so close to Earth Day, we reflect on what this means for both us and all creation. All of creation stands besides us and waits for [...]
Given By Rev. Madison Shockley April 7, 2019 We have three special readings today. The Oracle of Delphi tells us to know thyself. The apostle Paul tells us that we must know ourselves fully. Lastly, Shakespeare tells us, to thine own self be true. We now must ask, who are we here at Pilgrim? Why [...]
Given By Rev Carl Crider on November 18, 2018 Rev. Crider speaks to the issue of inequality for women as related to marriage and society. Matrimony is one of the sacraments. Historically, it celebrates the transferring of property. Luckily, things are changing. Women no longer are considered property. They do not need a man's permission [...]
Given By Rev Madison Shockley on July 8 2018 Paul preaches that power is a paradox. Where we think it is, it is not. Where we least expect it, it is there. One of the greatest examples is the story of David and Goliath. That power is a paradox is one of the fundamental beliefs [...]
Given By Rev Madison Shockley on June 24 2018 Today's reading is not from the lectionary. Our Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, sited passages from Romans 13 to justify the separation of children from their families at the border. Mr. Sessions believed that this passage gives him the authority to do what he and our government [...]
Given By Judith Johnson June 17 2018 at Pilgrim UCC in Carlsbad CA pilgrimucc.org Today's reading is a difficult text. The Bible brings good news but this text brings only bad. This interpretation of Paul is used to condemn homosexuality. Scholars believe that this text is inconsistent and contradictory. Readers are left to come up [...]
Given By Rev Madison Shockley on June 3 2018 Today's reading talks about going against the norms of society. To understand this reading, we must understand what was going on in Corinth during this time. Paul had established a Christian community in this bustling trade city. His vision was that this movement was for everyone, [...]
