Sermons
Why evil, pain, and suffering?
By Roy Stetler
September 21, 2025
With recent political violence and the deaths of three local law enforcement officers this week, we wonder “Why?” Why is precious life cut short by violence by those deeply troubled or convinced that their cause is more important than another’s life? We also wonder why acute, chronic, and terminal illness contends with the lives of those we love. We pray…
This Present Time
By Roy Stetler
August 17, 2025
Six hundred years apart, Jeremiah and Jesus discerned and proclaimed that Jerusalem’s peace was about to end. An essential part of Israel’s covenant with God was to support a society ordered by economic and social justice with mercy for all. The folks at both times who could have helped the least in the land, chose rather to ignore them. Within…
Spirit Nudge
By Roy Stetler
June 8, 2025
Though we recently celebrated the gift of the Spirit sending the church into mission on Pentecost, the celebration is not about a past event but one that continues. Pentecost is allowing ourselves to be nudged by the Spirit to be curious, to wonder, to befriend, to take chances to practice being who we truly are. In John 14, Philip wants…
The Lamb on the Throne
By Roy Stetler
May 4, 2025
The idea of Jesus as a lamb in Revelation 5:11-14 is based upon the Jewish tradition of sacrificing a lamb at Passover. If the Passover lamb had any power at all. . . it was the power of innocence—its powerlessness. Jesus chose the path of nonresistance, of love. During Holy Week, he did not fight his betrayal or the injustice…
Jesus’ Wounds Bring Peace
By Roy Stetler
April 27, 2025
On that first day beyond the grave, Jesus walks into a room filled with his closest followers. They are afraid but by showing them his wounds, Jesus comforts them. He blesses them. Then, ready or not, he sends them to receive and share the Spirit. He reminds them to practice forgiveness. And always concerned about the least, he returns to…
Common Gifts, Extraordinary Use
By Roy Stetler
January 19, 2025
Jesus, his mother and disciples are enjoying a long wedding reception with music, good food and drink until. . .the wine runs out. At Jesus’ mother’s insistence, servants bring water which he transforms into wine. The servants do the carrying, but Jesus brings the outcome (John 2). The apostle Paul makes extraordinary transformation, personal (I Corinthians 12). Rather than a…
Good Judgment
By Roy Stetler
December 15, 2024
In my experience, most biblical references to judgment concern our relationship with God, creation, and neighbor. They invite us to listen to a Word from God which allows us to see clearly, understand what is important, and live in the light of that Word. Good judgment is inward, personal, and it leads to joy. Living in the clear light of…
The King
By Roy Stetler
November 24, 2024
Each year, the last Sunday of the church year, we proclaim Jesus Christ as King. The challenge with the metaphor is that he is such a different kind of King. He rules from the cross, spending his last human moments, utterly vulnerable. His resurrection promises that when we suffer like him for the sake of mercy, our suffering does not…
The Saints
By Roy Stetler
November 3, 2024
The story of Lazarus raised by Jesus is the story of the saints. Lazarus does not raise himself but is brought back to life by Jesus. Likewise, the saints do not save themselves, nor do they save the world. They are nurtured and mercifully healed in the presence of God. They cling to Christ’s love. In the New Testament, the…
Rather to serve
By Roy Stetler
October 20, 2024
James and John (Mark 10) and the other disciples are distracted by shortcuts to power and prestige. They want to benefit from being close to Jesus. They are focused on personal power rather than love of neighbor. Jesus responds (v. 43), “But it is not so among you.” True relationships driven by sacrificial love are characterized by humble service. In…
Surrender
By Roy Stetler
September 15, 2024
Jesus is on a journey to reveal the compassionate mercy of God for all. “Who do people say I am?” asks Jesus. Peter confesses he is the Anointed one, Messiah. He is the servant of the Lord, in the prophet Isaiah’s language. Jesus knows that Isaiah speaks of the servant of the Lord also as a suffering servant. This servant…
Trust overcomes fear
By Roy Stetler
September 8, 2024
Jesus brings hope and healing to a woman begging for her daughter’s mental and spiritual health (Mark 7). She is desperate– she will sacrifice anything to convince Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus suggests that her request for healing cannot be a priority for him. We learn that her faith is strong not because she believes he can heal, but…