Harrowing Of Hell

Category: Hope & Resurrection

Coming Out of Our Tombs

Sermon | November 4, 2012

November 4, 2012, Charissa Jones preaching

Our society has a strange fondness for spooky and ghoulish things, and so I noticed this Halloween that for yet another year zombies were all the rage. The interesting thing is that last week I’d been feeling like a zombie

The Color Purple

Sermon | June 10, 2012

June 10, 2012, The Rev Doyt Conn preaching

In the movie The Color Purple Shug and her friend Celie are walking through a field of purple cosmos. Shug is saying, “But more than anything God loves admiration.” Celie responds, “so, you’re saying God is vain?” “No, no, not vain,” Shug laughs,“just wanting to share a good thing.” She continues, “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it.” Celie responds, “So you’re just saying God wants to be loved like it says in the bible. “Yah, silly,” Shug replies, “everyone wants to be loved.”

Hope and a Salamander

Sermon | April 29, 2012

April 29th, 2012, Rev. Doyt Conn preaching

We have a salamander in the basement. There is some debate as to his name. I call him Slinky. My son calls him Sandy. My daughter, the driving force for our possessing a salamander in the first place, has yet to commit to a name.

Easter Sermon – Easter and The Hunger Games

Sermon | April 8, 2012

April 8th, 2012, Rev. Doyt L Conn, Jr preaching

Country singer, Butch Hancock use to say:
“Growing up a Christian in Lubbock Texas taught me a lot about God.
I learned that I was going to hell, and God loved me.
And I learned that intimacy was a dirty and filthy thing
that should be saved for someone I loved.”

Maundy Thursday 2012

Sermon | April 5, 2012

April 5, 2012, The Rev. Kate Wesch preaching

On this one night of the year, we remember in our words and actions, a most dramatic and pivotal moment in scripture. The night Jesus gathered at table with his friends for a final meal and once again re-ordered the structures of power through simple, – profound acts.

Jesus had already had a final meal with his beloved friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus at their home in Bethany. Now, he is saying goodbye to his disciples – the ones who have been with him every step of the way. But, his goodbye isn’t trite or melodramatic; rather, it is deliberate and sacramental and comes from a place of deep and abiding love.

Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, a rabbi and teacher, a friend, is saying good bye through these simple (but revolutionary) acts of breaking bread and washing feet.

Rain and Irritability

Sermon | March 18, 2012

March 18, 2012, The Rev. Kate Wesch preaching

The other day Doyt and I were talking about the people in our lives. We were commenting on the increase of late in overall crabbiness, arguments, and general irritability – ourselves included. “What is this about?” Doyt asked me.

I had been thinking about this for a few weeks and had my answer ready. “It’s March in Seattle” I replied. “That’s what’s going on.” We are tired of the clouds, tired of the rain, vitamin D deficient, and ready for some sunshine. Road rage is always worse this time of year. People are cranky in the grocery store and patience is at an all time low. Add to that the recent time change and you have already grumpy people who are now sleep deprived as well.

It’s no coincidence that the liturgical cycle follows the weather pattern each year. As we make our way along the Lenten journey, we transition from winter’s cold/dark nights and days, to a promise of spring and new birth at Eastertide. Each passing day brings a little more daylight and the hint of better things to come.