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.
“Dressed in Love” by Peter Bankson
December 30, 2018 Christmastide
INTRODUCTION
In this week’s Scripture readings we’re already down the road from the manger in Bethlehem. In two of the lessons we get a glimpse of the nurturing power of parental love. And the other lessons invite us to weave robes of that healing love to help heal a hurting world.
In the Hebrew Scripture reading we have Hannah patiently making a new priestly robe for her son Samuel, each year, as he continues to serve in the temple. In the Epistle reading Paul encourages us to clothe ourselves in robes of love, suggesting a variety of things that might be woven into those robes. And the Gospel lesson gives us a brief glimpse of Jesus at age 12, responding already to God’s prophetic call, yet still willing to honor his loving parents.
2018 Christmas Eve Homily by Brenda Seat
December 24, 2018
It is sometimes hard to remember how challenging the story of Christmas must have been for those who were actual participants. As I reread this powerful but familiar story I was struck by three things that each of the participants in this story had to face: First, something very unexpected happened, which then caused them to have to face their fears, and as a result they had to journey from what was known and safe to a place of vulnerability and unfamiliarity.
“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.