Zions Stone UCC

Pastor Mike preaches on how the unity of love that the Father and the Son (and the Spirit) share is given to us to unite us with God.

Pastor Mike preaches on Sts. Paul & Barnabas healing of the crippled man, the reaction of the people in Lystra to the healing, their response to the people's reaction, and how Jesus is the one whom their stories of divine visitation point towards. 6th Sunday in Easter, Year C: Acts 14:8-18; Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27, 22:1-5; John 14:21-29

Pastor Mike preaches on Saul's encounter with Jesus and the helaing of the eyes of his soul and how our vision of Jesus heals ours too. 3rd Sunday in Easter: Acts 9:1-19a, Revelation 5:6-14; John 21:1-14 Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on being partners with one another in tribulation, the kingdom of God, and patient endurance as we await his appearing and our life in the age to come.

Pastor Mike preaches on the non partiality of the hope of the resurrection, how the gospel is for all people, and the power inherent in the proclamation of the risen Christ before concluding that Christ's bodily resurrection is so essential to our faith that to deny it is to deny our faith and cuts us off from its power.

Pastor Mike preaches on the various reactions of the perpetrators and onlookers of Jesus' crucifixion and how their responses are paralleled today.

Pastor Mike preaches on the link between the lambs slain and eaten at the first Passover and Christ's institution of the Eucharist.

Pastor Mike preaches on the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem contrasting that with a Roman triumph culminating with Jesus' enthronement on the cross. Palm Sunday, Year C: Luke 19:29-40; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 23:1-49 Photo by Silas Barr Photography

Pastor Mike preaches on how in spite of St. Paul's many accomplishments, he considered all of them to be nothing in the light of knowing Jesus and necessity of growth in Jesus as we live with the resurrection as the goal to which we are striving towards. 5th Sunday in Lent, Year C: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:7-16; Luke 20:9-19

Pastor Mike preaches on God speaking to Moses through the burning bush and how God uses things to grab our attention to draw us back to Christ. 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C: Exodus 3:1-15; I Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-17

Pastor Mike preaches on being an enemy or friend of the cross and how that shows what we've patterned our lives after. 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C: Genesis 15:1-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:22-35

Pastor Mike preaches on Jesus being tested in the wilderness, how we are tested when the devil thinks we are weakest, and how he tries to manipulate us from serving God and focusing on ourselves. 1st Sunday in Lent, Year C: Deuteronomy 26:5-11; Romans 10:4-13; Luke 4:1-13

Ash Wednesday: Isaiah 58:1-12; II Corinthians 5:20-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Pastor Mike preaches on how the life of faith is rooted in following the commands of Christ and how that rootedness protects us in the storms of life and faith. 8th Sunday After Epiphany, Year C: Isaiah 55:10-13; I Corinthians 15:51-58; Luke 6:39-49 Image by Thierry Bad from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the quality and character of Christian love, how mature Christian love is not transactional or manipulative, and how it is to be given away. 7th Sunday After Epiphany, Year C: Genesis 45:3-11,21-28; I Corinthians 15:35-49; Luke 6:27-38 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Manojiit Tamen from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on Jesus being brought into the temple and how it is the return of the long absent Divine presence and how Jesus partook of flesh and blood to be our faithful high priest. Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Year C: Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on the Christian relationship with politics and governmental authority and how we should strive to live at peace so that Christ may be glorified. www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Photo by Mike Stoll on Unsplash

Pastor Mike preaches on the similarities and differences between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism and how being given the gift of the Spirit transforms us/ Baptism of the Lord, Year C: Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-22 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by falco from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the Magi's journey to find Christ, how that mirrors our journey towards Christ, and the things that try and bar the way. Epiphany, Year C: Isaiah 60:1-9; Ephesians 3:1-13; Matthew 2:1-12 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Silas Barr Photography

Pastor Mike preaches on the the story of the Holy Innocents from Matthew 2:13-18 Holy Innocents, Year C: Jeremiah 31:15-17; Revelation 21:1-7; Matthew 2:13-18 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Satyaban Sahoo from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the joy rooted in the Lord's promise to return based on what he has done, what he will do, and how his peace preserves us as we await his coming. 3rd Sunday of Advent: Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:1-10; Luke 1:39-56 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on how St. Paul's question on his coming to Corinth frames the same question to us as we await the Lord's second advent ,as well as how we are to imitate the saints of the church as we prepare our hearts. 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C: Malachi 3:1-5; I Corinthians 4:8-21; Luke 3:1-6 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

1st Sunday of Advent, Year C: Zechariah 14:3-9; I Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:25-33 Pastor Mike preaches on the return of Jesus, how we are tasked to live as we wait, and the patterns Jesus says will mark his second coming. www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash

Pastor Mike preaches on Jesus' kingship, his royal titles, and his activities on our behalf. Christ the King, Year B: Daniel 7:9-14; Revelation 1:1-8; John 18:33-37 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by AJ jaanko from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the destiny of redeemed humanity, the necessity of endurance, that God will keep his promises, and the things that mark false christs. 26th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Daniel 12:1-4a; Hebrews 10:31-39; Mark 13:14-23 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath and how she as an outsider trusted in the God of Israel and how she was rewarded with bread to sustain her and her family in time of famine. 25th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: I Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on three things that All Saints reminds us of: This life is not all there is, we have been given life in the age to come, and that Jesus will heal and comfort all those who died in him. All Saints, Year B: I Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on James and John's request to Jesus and how in Jesus' kingdom the path to glory lies in humble service 22nd Sermon After Pentecost, Year B: Isaiah 53:4-12; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:35-45 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Bronisław Dróżka from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the rich man who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, how Jesus doesn't turn anyone away, and how people don't leave Jesus because he sends then away but because they don't like what he asks them to give up. 21st Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Amos 5:6-15; Hebrews 3:1-6; Mark 10:17-31 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the Pharisee's challenge to Jesus regarding divorce and the Torah, how divorce is the tearing apart of what God has made one, and how Jesus being made like us keeps us from tearing ourselves away from God. 20th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-18; Mark 10:2-16 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Hoàng Đông Trịnh Lê from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on the role of angels and their ministry centering on the glorification of Jesus. St. Michael & All Angels, Year B: Genesis 28:10-17; Revelation 12:7-12; John 1:47-51 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Photo by Julia Kadel on Unsplash

19th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Wisdom 1:16-2:1, 2:12-22; James 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:30-37 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on the centrality of the cross of Christ and how when Jesus is lifted up he will draw all to himself. Holy Cross, Year B: Isaiah 45:21-25; Philippians 2:5-11: John 12:31-36 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on how Jesus' disciples eating with unwashed hands challenged the religious leader because man made traditions meant to safeguard the keeping of the Torah became seen as just as important to the religious leaders as the Torah itself. 15th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Deuteronomy 4:1-9; Ephesians 6:10-20; Mark 7:1-23 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on Joshua's three instructions to Israel: serve the Lord with reverence, fear, and faithfulness, put away the foreign gods, and choose whom you will serve. 14th Sunday After Pentecost: Year B: Joshua 24:1-2, 14-25; Ephesians 5:15-6:9; John 6:60-69 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on how wisdom calls out to the simple and leads to life and how the table she sets is the table where we are fed with and by Jesus Christ, the living bread from heaven. 13th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:3-14; John 6:53-59 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on what the transfiguration teaches us about encountering Christ and how that relates to veiling, witness, prayer, and ultimately beauty. Transfiguration: Exodus 34:29-35; II Peter 1:13-21; Luke 9:28-36 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on St. Paul's words to the Ephesians on how God has revealed to them and the Gentiles of the mystery of Christ and how it moves him and them into doxology. 10th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: II Kings 2:1-15; Ephesians 3:8-21; Mark 6:45-52 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on Mary Magdalene's role as the first ambassador of Christ's resurrection as the first to see him and deliver his words to the Apostles. Mary Magdalene, Year B: Judges 4:4-10; II Corinthians 5:14-20a; John 20:11-18 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on God's purpose for us: being predestined for glorification and how that ties in with God's calling and sending of his people to accomplish his purpose. 8th Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Amos 7:7-15; Ephesians 1:1-14; Mark 6:7-13 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on God's mission to save and redeem his rebellious people even when they refuse to listen to his messengers. 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B: Ezekiel 2:1-7; II Corinthians 12:2–10; Mark 6:1–6 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Photo by Gabriel Komorov on Unsplash

Pastor Mike preaches on the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead and the healing of the bleeding woman and how both showed faith and how Jesus confronts and deals with death and its forces. 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B: Deuteronomy 15:7-11; II Corinthians 8:1-15; Mark 5:22-43 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Markus Spiske from Pixabay

Nativity of John the Baptist: Isaiah 40:1-11; Acts 13:14b-26; Luke 1:57-80 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on what St. Paul means when he calls our bodies tents, how we groan to be further clothed in life, how the Christian hope is not disembodied, and how faithfulness effects when we stand before Christ's judgment seat. 4th Sunday of Pentecost, Year B: Ezekiel 31:1-6,10-14; II Corinthians 5:1-10; Mark 4:26-34 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Kanenori from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on sin and shame and how shame drives us to either withdraw from God and others or to try and twist sin into virtue instead of seeking the healing and reordering of our lives that salvation offers us. 3rd Sunday in Pentecost, Year B: Genesis 3:1-21; II Corinthians 4:13-18; Mark 3:20-35 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on the Pharisee's conflict with Jesus and his disciples over what they saw as work on the Sabbath, how Jesus responded, and how the Sabbath is a gift of rest. 2nd Sunday of Pentecost, Year B: Deuteronomy 5:6-21; II Corinthians 4:1-12; Mark 2:23-28 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay

Pastor Mike preaches on Nicodemus' misunderstanding of Jesus' words on how one enters the kingdom of God and how salvation is still misunderstood in our own time. Trinity Sunday, Year B: Exodus 3:1-6; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-16 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

On Pentecost, Pastor Mike preaches on the experience of God and how that relates to the Holy Spirit being the Spirit of truth. Pentecost, Year B: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 https://www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

7th Sunday After Easter, Year B: Acts 1:15-26; I John 5:6-15: John 17:11-19 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on why Jesus ascended into heaven and what it accomplished. Ascension of Jesus Christ, Year B: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund

Pastor Mike preaches on the perfect and perfecting love of Christ and how it gives us confidence to stand before him in the day of judgment. 6th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Acts 11:1—30; I John 4:7-21; John 15:9-17 www.gofundme.com/f/ZionsStoneChurchRepairFund Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash