What are Your 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...

With Darkness Comes Light

Matthew 2:13-23 Rev. Rebecca Heilman A week ago, the stockings were hung over fireplaces, lights sparkled through the streets and avenues of Charlotte, red bows were tied to wreathes, and trees stood tall with their ornaments carefully placed. Cookies were baked,...

The Christmas Story According to Joseph

Rev. Nick Cheek Jeremiah 31: 31-34 and Matthew 1: 18-25 This morning, we are focusing on Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Joseph’s presence in the Gospels is fairly limited. After Jesus’ birth, he doesn’t show up very often. Joseph is not present with Mary at the...

Metanoia

Rev. Nick Cheek Isaiah 40: 1-8 and Mark 1: 1-8 It’s Christmas card season! I hope you have your cards finished by now. If you haven’t, it’s okay, God will forgive you, but your mom might not. For our family, it has become a tradition to hang the cards we receive on a...