St James Presbyterian Church

In between faith and works there lies a tension — a point of integration between what we know and what we do. It's that space between right belief and right action. The tension has to exist, it has to pull in both directions, to remind us of the positive bind that exists in the Christian journey. One has to have the other. Faith and works, together, bring life. Faith without works, well, it's dead. Works without faith are shallow, actions that lack significance, a living by just going through the motions. This integration point is grace. Faith that lives out in works discovers the grace of Christ at the tension point. Faith that lives out in action awakens in us our need for and reception of grace.

In between faith and works there lies a tension — a point of integration between what we know and what we do. It's that space between right belief and right action. The tension has to exist, it has to pull in both directions, to remind us of the positive bind that exists in the Christian journey. One has to have the other. Faith and works, together, bring life. Faith without works, well, it's dead. Works without faith are shallow, actions that lack significance, a living by just going through the motions. This integration point is grace. Faith that lives out in works discovers the grace of Christ at the tension point. Faith that lives out in action awakens in us our need for and reception of grace.

James makes it quite clear, echoing Jesus' teachings to simply be with the poor, to love our neighbors, to pray for our enemies. The work is right in front of us. We are formed in belief so that we may live belief out in action, an unstained, pure religious action that does not turn a blind eye to the needs of the widow or orphan, but integrates our lives with them, coming close, in love and compassionate care.

James makes it quite clear, echoing Jesus' teachings to simply be with the poor, to love our neighbors, to pray for our enemies. The work is right in front of us. We are formed in belief so that we may live belief out in action, an unstained, pure religious action that does not turn a blind eye to the needs of the widow or orphan, but integrates our lives with them, coming close, in love and compassionate care.

Faith produces the ability to hold the doubts and certainties in healthy tension. Faith says, “I'm gonna try.” I don't know if I can make it (certainty and doubt), but I'm going to endure. Do you doubt? Good. Bless that. Do you hold some things with certainty? Good, also bless that. Today, let us see that our doubts actually lead us right into the space where we can develop faith and seek wisdom. Doubts will always nag at us — and that's important. We have to let doubt air itself out in order to grow, to mature, to make those next steps happen.

Faith produces the ability to hold the doubts and certainties in healthy tension. Faith says, “I'm gonna try.” I don't know if I can make it (certainty and doubt), but I'm going to endure. Do you doubt? Good. Bless that. Do you hold some things with certainty? Good, also bless that. Today, let us see that our doubts actually lead us right into the space where we can develop faith and seek wisdom. Doubts will always nag at us — and that's important. We have to let doubt air itself out in order to grow, to mature, to make those next steps happen.

Jesus' ministry is inaugurated and framed by acts doing justice with and for the poor, the captive, the hurting, and the oppressed.

Jesus' ministry is inaugurated and framed by acts doing justice with and for the poor, the captive, the hurting, and the oppressed.

Intro: Tell us about your family. Thomas, Strand. Nuclear. Chosen. As we journey in Christ, we sometimes need to be reminded that we are members of a kin-ship and family of God. We belong. We are called here to be a part of that. We go out as ambassadors of that deep, deep welcome. And what is required…

Before diving into our preaching text for this morning, I want to pause to offer some clarity on the language in this letter to Ephesians. Cultural and social contexts are so important as we clue in to what God is up to, working in and through the ways of the ancient world to unveil God's reconciling…

Before diving into our preaching text for this morning, I want to pause to offer some clarity on the language in this letter to Ephesians. Cultural and social contexts are so important as we clue in to what God is up to, working in and through the ways of the ancient world to unveil God's reconciling…

God calls God's people together in unity, to come around and support the chosen King, David. So we are called to unite, to heal, to seek restoration, and come to the table as one people.

Will the invitation to fight the giants of our lives lead us to retreat or invite our courage? Will we turn towards the struggle in authenticity and humility to be a part of God's liberating work?

Will the invitation to fight the giants of our lives lead us to retreat or invite our courage? Will we turn towards the struggle in authenticity and humility to be a part of God's liberating work?

God looks at our hearts and moves us forward into a new vision of the world where restoration is possible.

Give us a king, who will take care of us. Give us a president, who will fix it all. Give us a pastor, who can hold and represent our spiritual longings. Give us a parent, who can keep us safe and healthy. Give us a partner, who can journey in love with us. Give us any and all of these things — and we'll be set. Except, we're not. Except, we still long for more. May our prayer today be different: Give us yourself, God. Give us wholeness in a way nothing else can. Give us forgiveness and cleansing, in a way we can never do for ourselves. Give us meaning, connected with the great purposes of God's restoration of all things.

Samuel's Calling and Prophetic Activity 3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God…

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope.…

The skies show us a glimpse of how God moves and calls us to change and grow in the world.

The River of Life 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month;…

God calls us out into the wild places to discern our purpose, hear God's voice, and take the next steps in our journey with God.

The Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:1–9, 13–20; Lk 8:4–8, 11–15) 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying:…

The Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:1–9, 13–20; Lk 8:4–8, 11–15) 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying:…

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there…

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there…

Christ has moved the whole world from death to life through his death and resurrection.

We take the final steps on our journey to the heart of Christ this lent as we enter the city of Jerusalem with Jesus. Jesus shows us that it is through humility and letting go of the self's desires that we find glory in God's abiding love.

This morning I want to open our Sermon reading by going back to the beginning of the chapter of Hebrews 5 to set the stage for how the lectionary positions the text. The question posed in this text is what does it look like for Christ to be glorified as he fulfills his purpose on earth. What does a priest…

This morning I want to open our Sermon reading by going back to the beginning of the chapter of Hebrews 5 to set the stage for how the lectionary positions the text. The question posed in this text is what does it look like for Christ to be glorified as he fulfills his purpose on earth. What does a priest…

It is God's grace which we receive, freely, as we step deeper into a mature faith in Christ. Grace upon grace frees us to love and serve out of God's abundance.

It is God's grace which we receive, freely, as we step deeper into a mature faith in Christ. Grace upon grace frees us to love and serve out of God's abundance.

There is much in the Christian faith that we call wisdom and the world calls foolishness. There is much that the world calls wisdom that disciples of Jesus call foolish. Wisdom and life in Christ offers us a new perspective on what is wise, what is foolish, and what is faithful to God's purposes.

Jesus invites Nathanael to have his perceptions and skepticism confronted, offering him a way forward to come, see, and participate in God's way of justice.

Jesus invites Nathanael to have his perceptions and skepticism confronted, offering him a way forward to come, see, and participate in God's way of justice.

God hovers over the chaos of our lives, calling creation (and us) out of the water to discover new life.

Today we look back on 2020 and remember God's faithfulness. We seek God's voice and invitation into 2021, anticipating God's love to be present in our lives and God's calling for action to lead us into the world.

GOSPEL Luke 1:26–38 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29…

The Word Became Flesh (Gen 1:1–2:4a) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life…

The Proclamation of John the Baptist (Mt 3:1–12; Lk 3:1–20; Jn 1:19–28) 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:…