Harrowing Of Hell

Category: Hope & Resurrection

Abraham Pleads with God

Sermon | July 28, 2013

July 28, 2013, Charissa Bradstreet, MDiv preaching

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a story that makes many of us uncomfortable, in no small part because the large scale act of judgment captures our attention. God eliminates two cities with rains of sulfur and fire. It seems another example of what many refer to as “the angry God of the Old Testament.” We are also uncomfortable because of a horrible and dangerous misreading of the text which has led to an association of Sodom with homosexuality. For those who believe homosexuality is a sin, this has become one of the texts used to justify their claims that God hates homosexuality.

Day 8 – The Great Vigil of Easter

Sermon | March 30, 2013

March 30, 2013, The Rev Doyt Conn preaching

The journey from the tomb to Resurrection is one that invites us to move from darkness to light. The Resurrection happened once, but it also happens over and over again as we match the rhythms of our life with the permanence of the Resurrection.

Spiritual Friendship

Sermon | March 17, 2013

March 17, 2013, The Rev Conn preaching

What we believe as Christians is that we are beloved and we are eternal, and so is everyone else. But just knowing this is not enough to unveil the deep joy that God has in mind for us. Which is why we are Christians. Which is why we advocate for Christianity. Christianity’s purpose is to bring joy into being in fellowship with those who walk this journey of belovedness and eternity with us.

Anxiety, Monotheism, and the Story of Abraham

Sermon | February 24, 2013

February 24, 2013, The Rev Doyt Conn preaching

We start off the Old Testament reading today in a swirl of anxiety. The story of Abraham begins with the phrase “After these things,” which indicates to us a lack of clarity around something that has just happened, and a measure of uncertainty about how to move forward. “After these things” is our equivalent to, “What was that all about?”

“Help, Thanks, Wow”

Sermon | January 20, 2013

January 20, 2013 The Rev Kate Wesch preaching

It was late and we were both tired, but I knew we might be there for hours, so on the way out the door I grabbed a book. I was reading Anne Lamott’s new book, a slim volume, called, “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers.” In her typical style of lengthy run-on sentences filled with self-deprecating humor, raw honest emotion, and startling insight, Lamott focuses in on these three repeating themes of prayer: Help, Thanks, Wow.

Christmas Eve

Sermon | December 24, 2012

December 24, 2012 The Rev Kate Wesch preaching

Merry Christmas! Tonight, at this darkest time of year, we pierce the night with millions of pinpoints of light – with candles in church and on table where families gather, with light on our Christmas trees and front porches, and lawns lit up in colorful array. We wrap ourselves in the darkness like a blanket and gaze steadily out at the light on the horizon, knowing that spring must come. Christmas is about that hope, the longing for light.

Weaving Waiting Back into Our Lives

Sermon | December 2, 2012

December 2, 2012, The Rev Doy Conn preaching

Waiting, I think, makes an event all the sweeter. Waiting increases our sense of thanksgiving and gratitude. There was a day when waiting was more thoroughly woven into the rhythms of life. We waited for crops to come in. We waited for snow to melt and the salmon to run. We waited for fruits or vegetables to be in season. We waited to have enough money to buy something we couldn’t afford. We even waited for the appropriate night to watch our favorite TV show. Now we just Tevo it. Now we write the waiting out of the story of our lives and I sense we are diminished because of it.