Covering the Goals

Scripture:  Mark 16:1-8Story: The Resurrection of Our Lord. Theme: The odd "ending" to the Gospel of Mark calls us to continue the story of the Good News of Jesus Christ.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 11:1-11Story: The Triumphal Entry. Theme: In the story of the Triumphal Entry we learn that sometimes the world is oblivious to the work we are doing for God, but we are to keep serving God trusting that God will accomplish God's will through our work.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 13:1-8, 24-37Story: Jesus talks about the destruction of the Temple. Theme: When Jesus talks about the destruction of the Temple, he calls on us to trust that, whenever it seems the world is coming to an end, God is still present, working out God's purposes for us and for all creation.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 12:28-44Story: The Great Commandment. Theme: As Jesus teaches about the Great Commandment, we discover that one way we love others, and therefore one way we love God, is by appreciating what each person offers to God.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 12:1-12Story: The Parable of the Wicked Tenants. Theme: In the parable of the wicked tenants, we learn that God has called us to serve people, not human structures.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 14:3-9Story: A Woman Anoints Jesus with Perfume. Theme: Tracey King-Oretega, PC(USA) mission co-worker in Central America, sees in Jesus' statement, "you always have the poor with you," a call for the church to live in solidarity with the poor.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 10:17-31Story: The Rich ManTheme: In asking the rich man to sell all he has and give it to the poor, Jesus challenges each of us to give up the earthly things we depend on to give us independence, and instead live a life of dependence on God.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 5:21-43Story: Miracles of JesusTheme: In the healing of Jairus daughter and the woman with a hemorrhage, we discover that the Kingdom of God is about more than fixing problems, it is a relationship with God.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 4:1-34Story: Parables of Jesus.Theme: In the parables of the Sower and of the Mustard Seed we discover that the Kingdom of God has come to bless all people.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 1:1-20Story: The Baptism of Jesus.Theme: In Jesus Christ, God is breaking through barriers to bring the Kingdom of God to us.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 1:26-37, 2:1-18Story: The birth story of Jesus.Theme:  Matthew and Luke make promises about what Jesus will accomplish. None of them would have come true if Jesus hadn't grown up.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Luke 1:5-20Story: The birth of John foretold.Theme:  The miracle that Zechariah experiences gives him, and others, hope that God will perform a greater miracle.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Ezra 1:1-4 & 3:1-5, 10-13Story: God's people lay the foundation of the Temple.Theme:  As the Jews begin to rebuild their lives in Jerusalem, they discover that sorrow can reveal the true source of joy.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Isaiah 40:1-11Story: A message of hope for God's people in exile.Theme:  The exiles discover that nothing can prevent God from being faithful to God's promises.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5Story: The Vineyard Song and A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse.Theme:  Isaiah pronounces judgement on Judah for not living a life of trust in God, which has led to their fear of Assyria. The prophet's message challenges us not to fear aggressors like ISIS, but to trust in God and show God's compassion to the poor and powerless.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Mark 12:38-44 and 1 Kings 17:8-16Story: A widow gives an offering in the temple and a widow feeds Elijah.Theme:  Lost Creek and Trinity celebrated the Agreement on Full Communion between the ELCA and the PC(USA). Erin Bovendam's sermon about the widow's offering in Mark and Elijah receiving help from a widow in 1 Kings reminds us that every person we meet has a gift from God that they can share with others.Listen to the SermonRead Mark 12 and 1 Kings 17 at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  1 Kings 12:1-17, 25-29Story: Israel is divided into 2 kingdoms.Theme:  The division of Israel into the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah teaches us why it's important to live our lives as an example for future generations to follow.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5Story: David is crowned king of all Israel and brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.Theme:  Prayer, Bible Study, and Worship are ways that God shows God's love to us and we grow closer to God.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Ruth 1:1-17Story: Ruth chooses to follow Naomi.Theme:  When we feel we have nothing to offer others, Ruth reminds us that our faith in God is a valuable gift we have to share.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Deuteronomy 5:1-21, 6:4-9Story: Moses recites the 10 Commandments for the next generation.Theme:  The 10 Commandments are a call to break away from the world's view of life and to start living a way that reflects God's grace.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15Story: Moses and the Burning Bush.Theme:  Because God is with us, our actions do not have to be driven by fear, but can reflect the grace and compassion of God.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Genesis 32:22-30Story: Jacob wrestles with God.Theme:  This sermon was not recorded due to technical difficulties. In the story of God wrestling with Jacob we discover that, when we feel we are wrestling with God, it is God's way of building a relationship with us and transforming us into the image of Christ.Sermon Not AvailableRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7Story: God promises that Sarah will have a son.Theme:  God can be trusted to show us love and grace, and the church is to reflect that good news in its life together.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway

Scripture:  Genesis 2:4-15Story: Adam and Eve in the GardenTheme:  We begin another journey through the Narrative Lectionary by reflecting on how God is the source of all life, and we experience fullness of life when we trust and obey God.Listen to the SermonRead the passage at Bible Gateway