by Melissa Kelly | Oct 24, 2021 | Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Beloved & Gripped by the Spirit You are beloved and God’s Spirit is with you. Y’all are beloved and God’s Spirit is with y’all. We are beloved and God’s Spirit is with us. Sometimes the sermon is a mantra. With a couple of plump, plucked cherries atop. ...
by Melissa Kelly | Oct 18, 2021 | Amy Epp, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Prophetic Youth, Priestly Elders The story of Samuel and Eli is a study in how to listen and relate not just to God but between generations. It’s easy for elders in the church to dismiss those who are young(er) as too inexperienced or idealistic to lead, and...
by Melissa Kelly | Oct 10, 2021 | Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Manna? Manna! Though we think of manna as the bread that God rained down on the wandering Israelite community in the wilderness, “manna” was first a question. “What is it?!” The Israelites draw near enough to the strange flaky substance on the ground to ask “Manna?”...
by Melissa Kelly | Oct 3, 2021 | Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
A Name In Motion Names can shape identity or character in powerful ways. When Moses asks God’s name, God responds with a verb: “I am becoming who I am becoming.” What does it mean, then and now, to be in relationship with a God who claims a name that is an action, a...
by Melissa Kelly | Sep 26, 2021 | Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Tricksters and Power and Blessings, Oh My! All of my first-born, rule-following instincts are troubled by this story of a younger son employing devious and conniving tactics to “steal” the blessing of his elder brother. But how was this story liberative to the people...
by Melissa Kelly | Sep 19, 2021 | Amy Epp, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Testing… Testing… The history of testing is troubling and it’s been revealed how biased and even harmful tests can be. In the familiar passage of the binding of Isaac, God is giving the test. This story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his child...
