Sermon 06/16/19 – Outpouring of God’s Spirit
The Outpouring of God’s Spirit
Joel 2:28-30 1st ucc – Carlisle
06/16/19
VIDEOS
What does it look like, something like this video-trickle of water
Or like this video-large waterfall
How about this video- swarm of locusts
In my opinion, there could be several instances of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit considered in the book of Joel. First, there is the plague of locusts which this biblical speaks of, and the people experience who were there. This act of nature acting against people and the community might be considered, and the pouring out of God’s spirit. This first symbolizes the disconnect between the people of the land and God. There is also the future possibility that the community will experience a worse desolation than the locusts. The possibility that the people of the kingdom of Judah might face worse than destroyed crops and homes, that the end result could be the utter and […]
sermon 06/09/19 – Transformation
First UCC – Carlisle 06/09/19 Transformation
Jeremiah 1:4-10 Acts 2:1-12 Luke 10:25-37
The passage from the book of Acts is something many of us are likely familiar with. We have likely heard the story on a regular basis about how the disciples were in a house together on a particular day when change and transformation came to them and the entire community. We may recognize when we hear the part of the Pentecost story of the sound of a violent wind, and the flames of fire that appear. From this story, we can also learn about the words that the disciples were speaking were suddenly understood from people from different communities and countries. This Pentecost day was a day of transformation. People beyond the local community began to learn about the power of God, and what the disciples were sharing. Thousands of people were baptized that day. But one of the more […]
Sermon 06/0s/2019 – Break your Chains
Break your chains 06/02/19
First ucc – Carlisle Luke 4:16-21
Today is the day when we recognize in worship there are some new faces coming forward to serve on Consistory. They may be serving as leaders of the church for the very first time, or they might be returning to serve as a leader of the church after a time away. In any event, they are stepping forward to take this responsibility, and we will be lifting them up in the later worship time through prayer and ritual.
There are a number of ways to serve God and live out our faith. Some people have chosen to serve as leaders of First UCC – Carlisle. Other people choose to serve on of the councils or committees of this church. And still others will find other project, programs, or events to participate in and assist with in order to follow their calling. This church […]
Sermon 5/26/19 – coming home
Coming home Hosea 14:1-9
First UCC – Carlisle 05/26/19
I think there can be something comforting and reassuring about coming home. When any of us have gone on a trip away from our home location, don’t it can good to return to our regular abode. Whether it is simply an overnight stay away, a trip which included a plane trip, bus ride, train excursion, or a driving adventure, it can feel comforting to return to a familiar location, a place that we know and have history with, a location that we have lived for a period.
Sometimes the comfort of home can be felt even on a day during the week, if someone is returning from work after a very stressful day at the job, spending too much time dealing with crowded malls and stores, or having the wonderful (please note the sarcasm here) of dealing with busy highways and roads and challenging […]
May 12, 2019 Life Giving Acts
First ucc – Carlisle 05/12/19
Mother’s day life giving acts John 11
Today is a day that we have the opportunity to recognize and honor the mothers and moth figures in our lives. Perhaps we have a chance to offer a card, a gift or something else special to the people we view today as the mothers and mother figures around us. Some of us may be blessed to have our biological mothers still in our lives, and this is a chance for people to rejoice and celebrate the power and presence of mothers. Other people may be able to lift up the mothers and mother figures in their lives. This is a day to recognize blessings and joys around us.
What are some of the accomplishments that mothers can demonstrate? I am not sure there is truly enough time in this worship time […]