Click on one of the following categories to go directly to the schedule for that particular season:

INTRO

FALL 2007

ADVENT/EPIPHANY 2007/2008

WINTER 2007

LENT-EASTER 2008

SPRING 2008

Introduction:  2007-2008

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God;

Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the Word?

All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;

Brethren, pray and holy manna will be showered all around.

So begins one of my favorite hymns. As one who tries to preach the Word, I believe the greatest gift the congregation can afford me is to pray with all your power. For no matter how eloquent or theologically accurate the content, no matter how passionate or entertaining the delivery, all is indeed vain unless the Holy Spirit of God is working in our hearts and minds.

And, as I’ve told you before, congregations that fail to pray for their preachers usually get the sermons they deserve.

This coming year’s preaching begins at the very beginning – the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis, seeking a better understanding of God and ourselves and the world God has made and loved.

During Advent we think about the meaning of gifts, and consider some of the marvelous gifts of the Christmas season, beginning with John the Baptist and ending up with the Magi.

Then during January we listen as Jesus prays for his own in John 17 – for the disciples who followed him, and for those (like us) who believe in him through their ministry. As we hear him pray, we gain new understanding of our Lord’s priorities for his Church today.

In Lent we take up part of the passion story as told by the apostle John. We follow Jesus from his arrest in the garden to his trial be­fore Pilate and his condemnation. Through it all, we ponder again what wondrous love has led him to do this for us.

Then during spring we turn to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This is one of the most joyful letters in the New Testament, as Paul shares his heart with his friends and partners in the gospel.

You’ll get more out of these sermons if you read the verses chosen for that Sunday and think about their meaning for your life. And then, as the song urges, pray with all your power – for the preacher, for your brothers and sisters in the congregation, and for yourself – as we try to preach the Word.

Pastor Bob Sanders 

Fall 2007

First Things: Genesis 1­11

SEPTEMBER 9           In the Beginning           Genesis 1:1 – 2:3

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Genesis begins with this magnificent song of creation and so do we. We’ll also think about how to read and understand this book, as we focus on the God who made all things.

SEPTEMBER 16   Baptism          In the Image of God           Genesis 1:26­27; 2:7­9

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Genesis affirms that God creates humankind in God’s own image. What does that tell us about ourselves, and about God, and what are implications for our lives today?

SEPTEMBER 23          Caring for Creation          Genesis 1:26­31; 2:8­15

The Lord God took the man put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15)

According to God’s plan, it was and is our responsibility to be good stewards of this magnificent creation God has made for us. What does it mean for Christians to care for the earth in our time?

SEPTEMBER 30          The First Sabbath          Genesis 1:31 – 2:3

And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. (Genesis 2:2)

Even God takes a break. What does it mean for us to observe Sabbath rest in our busy lives?

OCTOBER 7   World Communion          Created for Community          Genesis 1:26­27; 2:18­25

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” (Genesis 2:15)

God creates the woman to partner with the man. God’s intention involves community. At World Communion we celebrate the new community we share with those who belong to Jesus Christ here and around the world.

OCTOBER 14          Anatomy of Temptation          Genesis 2:15­17; 3:1­7

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say…?” (Genesis 3:1)

In Genesis 3 we begin to see how it all went wrong. In this story we see the dynamics of temptation at work – then and now.

OCTOBER 21   Baptism          Paradise Lost (and Promised)          Genesis 3:8­24

“He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

God spells out the tragic consequences of disobedience: the fall. But within the bad news we find a hint of Gospel hope still to come.

OCTOBER 28          East of Eden          Genesis 4:1­16

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)

The effects of sin continue to expand as Cain murders his brother Abel.

NOVEMBER 4   Communion / Daylight Savings Ends          To be announced

NOVEMBER 11   Pledge Dedication Sunday           To be announced

NOVEMBER 18  Baptism           Under the Rainbow          Genesis 6 ­9

“I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:13)

We come to the well­known story of Noah and the flood, and focus on the covenant God makes with Noah and the whole earth, symbolized forever by the sign of the rainbow.

NOVEMBER 21          Thanksgiving Eve Celebration          To be announced

NOVEMBER 25   Christ the King Sunday          Babel (and Beyond)          Genesis 11:1­9

Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth.
(Genesis 11:9)

We end this series with the tower of Babel and the breakdown of human language and we discover how this ancient story enhances our understanding of what happened on the Day of Pentecost as described in Acts 2.

Advent / Christmas / Epiphany 2007­08

Gifts of the Season

DECEMBER 2  First Sunday of Advent / Communion       The Gift of a Second Story      Mark 1:1­8

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4)

John the Baptist plays an important role in Advent, calling us to repentance and promising us a new start – a “second story” – through the forgiveness of our sins.

DECEMBER 9  Second Sunday of Advent          The Gift of Hope          Matthew 24:36­44

Therefore you must also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
(Matthew 24:44)

The first Advent was when Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem. The second Advent will be when he comes again to judge the living and the dead. The other crucial Advent is when he comes to dwell in our hearts.

DECEMBER 16   Third Sunday of Advent          The Gift of Joy          Luke 1:39­56

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:47)

Joy permeates the Advent/Christmas season, and we share in that joy as we consider Mary’s Magnificat, and listen to the seasonal anthems of our choirs.

DECEMBER 23   Fourth Sunday of Advent         The Gift of a Savior         Luke 2:1­14

To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

The greatest gift comes when Jesus is born in Bethlehem – our Savior and Lord.

DECEMBER 24   Christmas Eve         What to Do with the Gift          From John 1

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. (John 1:12)

What we do with this gift determines everything.

DECEMBER 30          The Gift of Fulfillment          Luke 2:22­35

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:29­30)

We look at the story of Simeon, who usually gets lost in the post­Christmas shuffle, and see the gift of fulfillment he received when he saw the newborn Jesus.

JANUARY 6   Epiphany / Communion          The Gifts of the Magi          Matthew 2:1­12

Opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

We see a marvelous description of Jesus’ ministry in the three gifts presented by the Magi – gold (for a king), frankincense (for a priest), and myrrh (for one who is to die).

Winter 2008

Jesus Prays for His Own

JANUARY 13          Jesus Prays for His Own (Part 1)          John 17:1­5

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1)

In John 17 we find the “real” Lord’s Prayer. Jesus’ prays for his own, for his church. In the first section Jesus prays for God’s greater glory, and we consider what that means for being the church Jesus desires.

JANUARY 20 Baptism          Jesus Prays for His Own (Part 2)          John 17:6­19

“I am not asking you take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

In the second part of his prayer, Jesus prays for the disciples God has given him, for their relationship to him and to one another, and we consider that this means for us as his church today.

JANUARY 27          Jesus Prays for His Own (Part 3)          John 17:20­26

“I ask that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)

Finally, Jesus prays for us – for those who come to faith through the ongoing ministry of his disciples. What does this prayer say to us as we seek to be his people in our world today?

FEBRUARY 3   Communion          To be announced

Lent / Easter 2008

What Wondrous Love

FEBRUARY 6   Ash Wednesday          To be announced

FEBRUARY 10   First Sunday in Lent          The Arrest John 18:1­14

So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. (John 18:12)

In the middle of the night, Jesus is betrayed and then arrested by the armed guard. We consider the work of Judas, and how that touches aspects of our lives today.

FEBRUARY 17   Second Sunday in Lent / Baptism         The Denial          John 18:15­27

They asked Simon Peter, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” (John 18:25).

We are there as Peter denies his Lord and friend, and we reflect on the ways this denial has become our own.

FEBRUARY 24   Third Sunday in Lent          The Trial          John 18:28­38a

Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

Jesus is brought before Pilate and they have an amazing conversation. In the end, it’s hard to tell who is really on trial – Jesus or Pilate.

MARCH 2   Fourth Sunday in Lent / Communion          The Criminal          John 18:38b­40

Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the crowd demands Barabbas instead. What we see of ourselves in Pilate’s dilemma.

MARCH 9   Fifth   Sunday in Lent /Daylight Savings Begins          The Sentence          John 19:1­16

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. (John 19:16)

Pilate’s final capitulation results in Jesus being condemned to the cross, and the world is never the same again – not for Pilate, and not for us.

MARCH 16 Palm / Passion Sunday          Who Is This Jesus?          Matthew 21:1­11

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10­11)

Jesus enters Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday to cries of triumph and welcome. How would we have responded? Who do we say Jesus is?

MARCH 20   Maundy Thursday / Communion          To be announced

MARCH 21   Good Friday          To be announced

MARCH 23 Easter Sunday          As Secure As You Can          Matthew 27:62­66

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” (Matthew 27:65)

No tomb can contain the risen Christ – not then, not now.

MARCH 30          Risen Indeed!           Luke 24:13­35

They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!”

The risen Christ appears to two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaeus.

APRIL 6   Communion          When Easter Came to Peter          John 21:1­19

Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15)

Jesus finds Peter and restores him after his disastrous denial. Nothing can separate us from the love of our risen Savior and Lord.

APRIL 13     Children’s Cantata

Spring 2008

Partners in the Gospel: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians

APRIL 20   Baptism          Confident of Completion          Philippians 1:1­11

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Philippians reads like a letter from a friend – and no wonder. Paul’s tone is joyful as he writes these words to the Christians in Philippi, thanking them for their long­term partnership in the Gospel. He begins with a prayer of thanksgiving and confidence in the God who began the good work among them, and who will complete it.

APRIL 27           In Life and In Death            Philippians 1:12­26

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Paul writes as a prisoner, but even his chains serve to advance the Gospel, and in that fact Paul chooses to rejoice. Whatever the outcome, his chief concern is to exalt the Lord Jesus in life and in death.

MAY 4   Communion          The Privilege of Suffering          Philippians 1:27­30

For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well. (Philippians 1:29)

In the face of opposition from the surrounding culture, Paul urges his readers to live their lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, standing firm in him. In words that might have shocked the Philippians (and certainly shock us) he reminds them the Lord has granted them the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but also of suffering for him.

MAY 11   Pentecost / Mother’s Day / Baptism          To be announced

MAY 18            Imitating the Incarnation          Philippians 2:1­11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2:5ff.)

Paul urges his readers to put the interests of others ahead of their own, and, in one of the most powerful passages in all Scripture, points them to Jesus Christ our Servant Lord as their example.

MAY 25          Co­Operators in Grace          Philippians 2:12­18

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12b­13)

Christians grow in grace as we work out our salvation, knowing that it is in fact God who is working within us.

JUNE 1   Communion / Baccalaureate          A Rare Pair          Philippians 2:19­30

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon…[and] to send you Epaphroditus…Honor such people. (Philippians 2:19, 25, 29)

Paul lifts up two remarkable servants – Timothy and Epaphroditus – as examples of what the grace of God can do in a fully surrendered life.

JUNE 8          Paul’s “Life Verse”          Philippians 3:1­11

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10­11)

In one of his most autobiographical passages, Paul lays out his own spiritual history to show the inadequacy of legalism. He then confesses his own deepest longing in verses 10 and 11, what might be called his “life verse.”

JUNE 15   Father’s Day / Baptism          Pressing On          Philippians 3:12 ­21

Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13­14)

Paul insists he hasn’t arrived or somehow “made it” just yet. Instead he is a person in process, still seeking, still growing, still pressing on for all God has called him to be.

JUNE 22          Peace Beyond Understanding          Philippians 4:1­9

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Here we see two examples of peacemaking. The first involves healing a conflict between two valued church leaders. The second takes place in our own anxious hearts as we turn to God in prayer.

JUNE 29           Strength for Any Situation          Philippians 4:10­23

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Paul wraps up this letter with words of thanks for the gifts sent to him by the Philippians, and assures them that the Lord Jesus gives him the strength to handle any and every life circumstance.