From Brilliance into Brokenness

Rev. Nick Cheek Exodus 24: 12-18 and Matthew 17: 1-9 Midway through Mark’s gospel, people are still trying to figure out who Jesus really is. The crowds are confused, the religious leaders are skeptical, and even the disciples—those closest to him—don’t fully...

Salt and Light

Rev. Rebecca Heilman-Campbell Matthew 5:13 – 16, Isaiah 58:1-9   My son’s favorite book right now is a book by Todd Parr titled, The I Love You book. And in this colorful children’s book, it lays out for a child, that each and every day, no matter what big...

Follow Me

Rev. Nick Cheek 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 and Mark 1: 14-20 In our story, we find Jesus in a tiny fishing town called Capernaum (Caper… Nay…Um), located on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. It had a population of just over 1,000.  And this is where Jesus begins his...

What are You Looking For?

Rev. Nick Cheek Isaiah 49: 1-7 and John 1: 29-42 Intro: Our reading this morning comes from the Gospel of John. As with all four Gospels, each writer tends to paint their own portrait of Jesus. John’s Gospel is focused on identity. John is the gospel that gives us the...

Beloved

Rev. Nick Cheek Isaiash 43: 1-7 and Matthew 3: 1-6, 13-17 Maybe you’ve seen the movie, “O Brother Where Art Thou.” It is a playful retelling of Homer’s Odyssey set in the Deep South during the Great Depression. The movie opens with a charming convict, Everett (played...

The Many Gifts from the Magi

Rev. Nick Cheek Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 1-12 Over the holidays, our family watched the classic 1983 film “A Christmas Story.” The movie follows the adventures of the Parker family, focusing primarily on their son, Ralphie, and his longing for a specific...