Sermon Transcripts

September 18, 2022 ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet   The prophet Isaiah (52:7) proclaims: How beautiful upon the mountains  are the feet of a messenger     who proclaims peace,  who brings good news,     who proclaims salvation,  who says to Zion, “Your God rules!”                As I was growing up, I thought it odd that that one would praise the appearance of the feet of God’s messengers.  Feet!  Yes, baby feet are adorable, and I could...

September 11, 2022 ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet Holy Ground ~ Week 1   What is your favorite place in creation?  ‘A natural place, not defined by humanly constructed walls.  What is your favorite place in creation?  Are you a beach person or a mountain person?  Do you enjoy being at a lake or in a pasture?  Do you feel connection with earth and self when in the woods or on a ballfield?  What is your favorite place in creation? For some,...

September 4, 2022 ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet   Tomorrow is Labor Day!  Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, economic stability, and well-being of our country. A little over a week ago was Women’s Equality Day, celebrating...

August 28, 2022 ~ 12th Sunday after Pentecost Discipleship by the Sea ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet   Oh, summer is almost over!  And, what a summer this has been! I was feeling nostalgic yesterday and thinking about the summers of my childhood.  Ah, those were the days of freedom!  My siblings and I would rise in the morning, and, having done our chores, we could set out for the day.  We could go almost anywhere and do almost anything, as...

August 21, 2022 ~ Discipleship by the Sea Rev. Beckie Sweet   Creating, Saving, Abiding God, take our hearts, our desires, our lives, and transform them to make us stronger, more faithful followers of yours.  We want to grow in our relationship with you, but we need to trust you more for that to happen.  So, help us on this journey.  Help us to connect to you more.  We need you, God, oh how we need you.  Amen. The year was 2011,...

August 7, 2022 ~ Ninth Sunday after Pentecost “Discipleship by the Sea” ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet   A friend and colleague, Deacon Bonnie LeValley when preaching on this passage a couple of years ago, began by asking the question: “Have you ever had experiences in life that took you to the very edge of your ability to cope?”  She went on to give some examples: Perhaps you lost your job, went months without any income, the...