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.
“Joseph’s Question” by Marjory Bankson
December 18, 2016
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Text: Matthew 1: 18-25
If you’ve seen a Christmas pageant, the role of Joseph is probably the most boring of all. He just stands there, itching with straw dust, while Mary and the baby get all the attention from the other characters, including the sheep and camels.
When Joseph stands there with his staff, there is NOTHING to indicate the turmoil it must have taken him to be there; nothing about the question raised by today’s gospel reading: should he quietly dissolve the marriage agreement that he had with Mary? Or go ahead with their plans, even though she has apparently been unfaithful to him – because he KNOWS he’s not the father of this child. Can you imagine his feelings of betrayal? Of being used?
Advent Worship in the Style of Taizé
December 11, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent Several times each year, Seekers Church takes time out from its regular preaching schedule for a service of chant, prayer and reflection modeled on the worship of the Taizé Community in France. As we wait in Advent, this Sunday seemed a particuarly appropriate time. Repeating the chants together until they die away into the silence provides rest for our world-weary spirits as well as an opportunity for individual reflection on our faith journeys. As we joined in spirit with the monks at Taizé, we were nourished by their faithfulness as well as by their music.
“What are You Waiting For?” by Peter Bankson
December 4, 2016
Second Sunday of Advent
INTRODUCTION
This has been a turbulent month. The elections, with outcomes that surprised many of us, seem to have set the stage for changes that lots of us don’t understand. It took us by surprise, seeming to lop off hopes for quick changes that would transform us into a society and culture on the way to becoming more “creative, inclusive, working for peace and justice” as the front window downstairs says, the one that introduces us to folks on the street.
Then, as we transitioned from Thanksgiving to our annual American season of Conspicuous Consumption, the intense focus shifted from choosing who will be in charge, to incessant invitations to buy stuff just to help us feel better no matter who is in charge. This annual shift toward consumption encourages me to turn down the volume on everything, even my inner journey, making it harder for me to wait with awareness for the incarnation, the coming – once again – of God into the world in a form I can relate to.
“Are You Ready?” by Gayle Fisher-Stewart
November 27, 2016
First Sunday of Advent
Matthew 24:36-44
Good morning, Church!
I bring you greetings from Calvary Episcopal Church where I serve as associate pastor and I thank Sandra Miller, my new BFF, for the kind invitation to come and bring a word from the Lord.
And, so, on this first Sunday of Advent, I need to ask a question. “Did the Church forget to send the memo that this is Advent or did the world receive it and hit “delete”? Not talking about the truly secular Christmas folks; but those who follow the crucified and risen Lord; who have a liturgical year.
“Christ the King and My Mother” by Teresa Kaiser
November 20, 2016
Reign of Christ (Christ the King) Sunday
Keeping your eyes on the prize…….don‘t be fooled by appearances. Luke 23: 33-43.
Good morning. This is the last Sunday before Advent and is known as Christ the King Sunday. On this day I would like to speak to you about death, my mother’s death that is and what it taught me about her and to connect this lesson to today’s gospel from Luke.
That Luke’s gospel about Jesus death is read on the last Sunday before advent creates a symmetry of sorts. The journey from birth to death is complete and we begin again next week with pre-birth of Jesus. In spite of this symmetry, today’s gospel seems a little odd for Christ the King Sunday. As the gospel begins we find Jesus hanging on the cross between two thieves….low lives. Not where you would expect to find a king, right? This disconnect of our expectations and the reality is evidence that our expectations don’t do much for us as predictors. More about that later….