Sermons

Seekers recognizes that any member of the community may be called upon by God to give us the Word, and thus we have an open pulpit with a different preacher each week. Sermons preached at Seekers, as well as sermons preached by Seekers at other churches or events, are posted here, beginning with the most recent.

Click here for an archive of our sermons.

Feel free to use what is helpful from these sermons. We only ask that when substantial portions are abstracted or used in a written work, please credit Seekers Church and the author, and cite the URL.

“Waiting” by Deborah Sokolove

December 23, 2018

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

In Advent, the future and the past crash into one another as we approach the coming of Christ into the world. In the first week, Jesus warned us of great trials and tribulations, saying, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” [Luke 21:10-11] before the eventual coming of God’s eternal righteousness and peace.

“Nunc Dimittis: An Elder’s Advent” — A Dramatic Reading

December 16, 2018

The Third Sunday of Advent

This morning, several children and adults participated in a dramatic reading of a script written by John Morris and ably directed by Elizabeth Gelfeld. The script of Nunc Dimittis: An Elder’s Advent, based on Luke 2:25-38, follows.

Setting: The Temple. ANNA is standing alone, head bowed, lips moving in prayer. SIMEON enters, carrying a ledger.

ANNA: Oh, you startled me. (Squinting) Is that you, Simeon? My eyesight isn’t so good anymore.

A Sermon by Glen Yakushiji

December 9, 2018

The Second Sunday of Advent

When I read the scripture texts for this week I saw that they were all about John the Baptist preparing for Jesus. it’s an important part of the Christian story but I’m not going to talk about that. I’m reminded of the tenor in Handel’s Messiah shouting in the wilderness; can you hear him in your mental ears? I’m not going to talk about him either.

As I continued to read, the word salvation seemed to rise into focus. The idea of salvation meant a lot to folks in the Baptist church where I grew up but somehow I didn’t get it. When did I ever need saving, and from what? The idea of eternal fire seemed far away, and now even the idea of hell seems a bit extreme. Salvation sounds like a good idea; but what does it mean? I asked Deborah. She said it’s related to the word salve; it’s about “healing.” Okay, I can use that.

I am also going to use themes from Philippians to guide me. Verse nine reads: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10) so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

“What Will It Take to Make My Life Sacred?” by Will Ramsey

December 2, 2018

The First Sunday of Advent

I would like to begin with a prayer which I borrowed from others who have come before us.

Lord, thank you for walking with us through the seasons of our lives.
For summer time, full of warmth and colour
And for autumn days as leaves fall to seed new growth.
For the advent season when we remember both the coming of Jesus
And all those who have come before us.
For the winter, when we are held safe in your arms through the darkness.
For the hope of spring, as we are filled with new promise and life.
You are always with us.

When I quieted my mind to find words for today’s sermon, I noticed that today is the first Sunday of advent. My feelings about Advent have radically changed since I was a boy. I grew up in a church which did not really put emphasis on the advent rituals so I didn’t pay it much attention.