The Federated Church of Sycamore
November 24, 2019
"Clash of Kingdoms: God & Power"
scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Mark 10:35-45; Phil. 2:5-11
In his last book before he was assassinated, Rev. Dr. King wrote: “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” To know this kind of power and its capacity to bring new life, we must divest ourselves of the old ways of power.
November 17, 2019
"The Paradox of Abundance"
scripture: 2 Corinthians 9; Mark 12:38-44
Using stories from scripture and real life this story reflects on "contagious generosity." What would it look like for us to live from this place in a world that is always telling us there isn't enough?
November 10, 2019
"True Worship & the Blessed Community"
scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20; Luke 6:20-26
How does worship shape who we are? How does it change the way we live and re-shape the world? Does it? In asking questions like this, this sermon reflects on the intersection of worship and justice.
October 13, 2019
"Another World is Possible, Another World is Here"
scripture: Romans 12:1-3; 9-21; Luke 4:14-21
Jesus didn’t just do some nice things. He saw another world on the horizon and lived by that vision in the present. This world stood in stark contrast to the dominant culture around him. The challenge and invitation is the same for us as his followers.
October 6, 2019
"Eating with Jesus"
scripture: Luke 19:1-10
If Jesus hates all the same people you hate, then you haven’t been eating with Jesus of Nazareth. Eating with Jesus is counter-cultural; it challenges us to cross boundaries & eat with all the "wrong" people—including those you really don't like.
September 29, 2019
"Becoming a Church in Exile"
scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14
The Prophet Jeremiah proclaims that exile is the place to which God calls us. Taking inspiration from Federated Church's history of abolitionism and involvement on the Underground Railroad, this sermon reflects on becoming a church "in exile" today—a church freed from concerns of privilege, power, and status in order to be freed for the work of liberty and justice for all.
Copyright © 2021 by Eric J. Ogi. All rights reserved.