Sermons While Social Distancing
March 15-May 3, 2020

March 15	Social Distancing	Rev. Tom Are
March 22	Remember the Stories	Rev. Tom Are
March 29	I Have Calmed My Soul	Rev. Tom Are
Palm Sunday, April 5	Love Endures	Rev. Tom Are
Easter Sunday, April 12	The First Word of Easter	Rev. Tom Are
April 19	God Remembers	Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick
April 26	Resilience: Keeping the Central Things Central	Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka
May 3	Imagination: Seeing God at Work Today	Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka

Imagination: Seeing God at Work Today
May 3, 2020 - Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka

In this week’s sermon message, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka preaches that imagination is the ability to see beyond the tangible, the concrete that's around us, and to envision new ways to envision and dream new ways of what it means to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ in these days. Our scripture reading is John 5:2-9.
​Sermon Transcript 5-3-20

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Resilience: Keeping the Central Things Central
April 26, 2020 - Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka

There was a moment in Jesus's ministry where a scribe asked Jesus, “What is the most important commandment?” Jesus said to love God with all that you are and love your neighbor as yourself. Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka lifts up this moment in the ministry of Jesus to preach on what it means to be God’s resilient people, something that is important to reflect on in this particular season. Our scripture reading is Mark 12:28-34.
​Sermon Transcript 4-26-20

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God Remembers
April 19, 2020 - Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for us to know that God does not forget us. Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick, site pastor at Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch, preaches that it is just as important that we remember like God does—recalling our past, to meet the needs of the present, to give hope for the future. Our scripture reading is Psalm 136:23-25.
Sermon Transcript 4-19-20

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The First Word of Easter
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 - Rev. Tom Are

As we celebrate Easter while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, Rev. Tom Are preaches on the first word of Easter, “Do not be afraid." Our scripture reading is Mark 16:1-8.
Sermon Transcript 4-12-20

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Love Endures
Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 - Rev. Tom Are

As we celebrate Palm Sunday during the coronavirus pandemic, Rev. Tom Are preaches from 1 Corinthians 13:4. Holy Week teaches us that love is always what is needed. And when times are hard, love shows up and love endures.  Featuring Dr. Elisa Bickers, organ & piano, Wayne Bates, trumpet and Dre'Shon Tolbert, saxophone.
Sermon Transcript 4-5-20

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I Have Calmed My Soul
March 29, 2020 - Rev. Tom Are

In these uncertain days of the coronavirus pandemic, Rev. Tom Are preaches from Psalm 131 that reads, "I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother.” Rev. Are reminds us there is never a day that we are without hope. And there is never a day that we can be devoid of calm. We can choose to calm our souls. Featuring ​Dr. Elisa Bickers, organ, Becky & Nathan Bliss, Gathering music directors, Sascha Groschang, cello and Carmen & Coleen Dieker, violin & vocals.
​Sermon Transcript 3-29-20

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Remember the Stories
March 22, 2020 - Rev. Tom Are

In these uncertain days of the coronavirus pandemic, Rev. Tom Are preached when times are challenging, sometimes memory can be our friend. Finding God in the world is not easy. But sometimes God is clearest to us when we are in trouble. Our scripture reading is 2 Timothy 1:3-7.
​Sermon Transcript 3-22-20

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Social Distancing
March 15, 2020 - Rev. Tom Are

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads in the United States, Rev. Tom Are talks about a new term he’s learned this week…social distancing. It’s a behavior that is new to us. But social distancing is not new as we look at a letter the Apostle Paul writes from prison. Our scripture reading is Philippians 1:3-7.
​Sermon Transcript 3-15-20

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