Sermons by Rev. Chris Kliesen Wehrman (Page 8)
In the Reeds
We’ve been walking with Jesus through the gospel of Matthew. Time and again he has sought time apart and been interrupted. Today we ourselves take refuge…in a moment from the book of Exodus. How are we doing, packed in our many individual baskets? What visions might develop as we float in the reeds, held by the ‘in between’ of the living river. On this precious Sunday of our dwindling summer, we return to the Base Camp of our church community to reflect – and to rest, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
Jesus Once Again Raises the Bar
Jesus and the disciples are on the move when a woman appears on the edges. She calls out. She asks Jesus for help. He ignores her. And when she presses him, he calls her a (gulp) “dog.” What? We want to shout, “Where is our Jesus and what have you done with him?!” We, like the disciples, like the woman herself, ask Jesus to explain himself! Where is the lesson here? And who is meant to learn it? Humans – and canines – want to know. We return to the Base Camp of our church community to reflect – and to rest, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
Sailing the Storm
Today we consider a midnight storm on the Sea of Galilee, a small boat filled with workers, and the arrival of Jesus across the water – a true example of Deus ex machina! What do we know of darkness? Of storms? Of boats that seem oh-so-very-much-too-small? Of turbulent seas? Of confidence and doubt? Why, this is our natural habitat! What do we know of each other and of Jesus? We return to the Base Camp of our church community to reflect – and to rest, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
Leftovers
Today we consider the story of Jesus and the Miracle of the Impromptu Picnic. It is a story told SIX times in the gospel! This one must be important. Let’s talk about why…and sing and pray and share our own Table Fellowship – a present day remembering of those ancient “bring your own” meals. You are invited to bring something to your table as you join worship this morning. Something resembling Communion elements (bread and juice) or Loaves and Fishes – or a cup of tea. We will commune as we return to the Base Camp of our church community to rest, reflect, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
Heaven Between the Lines
This final Sunday in July we return to the Base Camp of our church community to rest, reflect, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence. We’re taking a long walk through the fields with Jesus! He’s trying to explain heaven on earth – in the midst of dust and weeds, tattered nets and hidden coins. “You see, heaven is insidious, it sneaks up on you! Except it’s also right in front of you – like a horizon or a carrot on a stick. Or heaven is in your pocket, close to hand, yet out of sight.” It’s like… It’s like… It’s like…” Let’s wonder together – and sing and pray. Let’s make like the fields – and grow.
Is it Time?
This third Sunday in July we return to the Base Camp of our church community to rest, reflect, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence. We turn again to Jesus’ lessons in the fields and encounter the riddle of the wheat and the weeds. We’ll ponder and play: Where do weeds come from? Who decides what is weedy? When? How do we get ourselves “into the weeds,” and back out? Let’s wonder – and sing and pray and simply savor this chance to gather.
Sowing by the 3 Cs
This week’s Reflection is grounded in the well-known parable of the sower and the seed, found in Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23. The message was prefaced by a video from Ted & Company, entitled, “The Sower and the Seed,” which uses the rich metaphor of making soup from a variety of ingredients.
Independence/Interdependence
This morning – the first Sunday in July – we celebrate the arrival of summer! The earth still turns and observes its galactic pathways in the faithful rhythm of Creation. Glory be! We gather, too, in faithful rhythm. We return week by week to the Base Camp of our church community to rest, reflect, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence. And then we will send each other out again – with courage, curiosity and compassion – to address the enormous needs at hand and LIVE the GLORY of this singular SUMMER!
We Are What We Eat/Read/Choose: OR As Close as I’ll Get to Fire & Brimstone
We are what we eat. We’ve heard that. What else? We are what we read? What we sing? What we build? We are what (and who and how) we choose! We are who we (love/live beside/vote for). We are also what we do – and/or think – and/or imagine. And our lived experience demonstrates that every action leads to consequence. Let’s be honest with each other. How’s it working for us? The BIG us? The whole kit and caboodle?
Progenitor, Papa and Playmate
Progenitors, papas; playmates, fathers have many faces. This Sunday we are mindful of the fathering people in our lives that plant and challenge and cheer us on. We consider the simple actions of “the other” Joseph and the impact of his faithfulness. In this time of isolation, unrest and uncertainty, we pray for creative power, sound plans, and purposeful action toward the day when every father’s child walks in love and justice.