Second on the Mount

“By Faith” – Hebrews 11:1-10, 32-34; 12:1
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel C. Thompson Orfield from May 3, 2020. "In a sense, that’s what faith is, isn’t it? Doing the best that we can to do good, and love others, and follow God. Even when we’re exhausted. When we feel like we have nothing left."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/by-faith/

“Paradigm Shift in the Belly of a Whale” – Jonah 2
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from April 26, 2020. "Getting to joy is a journey that inevitably involves spiritual side trips into places like confusion, anxiety, pain and grief. . . . Let’s hold each other up and get to that better place together."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/paradigm-shift-in-the-belly-of-a-whale/

“Peace be with you.” – John 20:19-31
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from April 19, 2020. "Jesus appears to Thomas in a body that is scarred and wounded. A body that openly bears its traumatic history. A body that refuses to hide its suffering, its sorrow, its brokenness. ...This is really Jesus. Jesus from Friday on the cross. Jesus who felt pain. Jesus who said, 'I am with you,' and meant it. 'I am with you where it hurts. I am with you where you are.'"
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/peace-be-with-you/ 

"For Thine Is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory Forever" – Mark 16:1-8Part VII of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. "The risen Jesus is out in the world and can be found wherever there is commitment to each other in a time of separation, there is an affirmation of life in the face of death, of love in the face of hate, and hope for the future within an anxious present."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-for-thine-is-the-kingdom/ 

"Deliver Us from Evil" – Mark 14:32-42Part VI of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel C. Thompson from Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020. "Evil is real, but Jesus is with us. And his presence with us in our suffering will become our strength. And over time strength becomes courage. And courage becomes hope. And hope does not disappoint. Easter morning is still coming."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-deliver-us-from-evil/

"Forgive Us Our Sins" – Matthew 6:14-15Part V of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from March 29, 2020. "IF I could soften what Jesus says just a bit but without losing its meaning, I suggest that Jesus is saying, 'Forgive others as a way to live into God’s forgiveness. For unless you learn to do that, you have no idea what God’s forgiveness really means.'"
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-forgive-us-our-sins/ 

"Our Daily Bread" – Exodus 16:13-15, Matthew 6:9-11Part IV of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from March 22, 2020. "...I know that what I have today, is enough. Even though we are apart, even though we miss the ordinary pleasures of life, it will be okay again. Tomorrow, there will be some new manna–ordinary or not–fresh on the ground. Somehow, God will provide. I believe it."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-our-daily-bread/

"Thy Kingdom Come" – Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 4:17, 9:35-38Part III of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon and benediction by Dr. George C. Anderson from March 15, 2020 (with pastoral prayer by Rachel Thompson). "Let’s remember that there is no heaven without others. God wants a beautiful place where the pearls are justice, gold is reconciliation and neighborhoods are places not of isolation but of reconciled harmony. If you want those treasures, pray for them… and then be a part of heaven coming to earth by remaining connected to each other even during this time of physical separation."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-thy-kingdom-come/ 

"Hallowed Be Thy Name" – Matthew 15:1-11, Matthew 6:9Part II of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel C. Thompson from March 8, 2020. "I think Jesus is saying that if you want to do your part to make God’s name holy, you can’t just say things that sound holy, you can’t even just do things that look holy. If your holy words and your holy actions look good on the surface but don’t at their heart promote peace, justice and the welfare of your neighbors, then what have you done really for God’s name? How have you helped the world see God?"
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-hallowed-be-thy-name/

"Our Father, Who Art in Heaven" – Isaiah 55:8-11, Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18Part I of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from March 1, 2020. "It is for healing and reconciling that the Lord’s Prayer most needs to be a prayer of the community praying for the world. We really need the God who is in heaven to come near to us to heal the divides among us."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-our-father-who-art-in-heaven/