Round Yon Joseph, Father and Child

Last updated on: December 22, 2019 at 4:53 pm By Leah D. Schade

I’ve been thinking more about the Christmas story from Joseph’s point of view after having seen my own husband become a father. Read more

Invocation Prayer on the Eve of Impeachment

Last updated on: December 17, 2019 at 8:52 pm By Leah D. Schade

We have gathered on this solemn eve of an important historic moment in our country. Our leaders will vote on articles of impeachment of the president of the United States for violating his oath of office and endangering our democracy and our citizens. Read more

Water in the Desert – Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11

Last updated on: December 17, 2019 at 12:56 pm By Leah D. Schade

I asked people in the congregation to share where they noticed God's work in the world. Their responses were like finding water in the desert. Read more

Flowers Preaching in the Desert – Isaiah 35:1-10

Last updated on: December 15, 2019 at 3:22 pm By Leah D. Schade

Isaiah 35 describes hope like a tiny purple crocus reaching out of the snow with delicate hands cupped in prayer. This fragile yet tenacious flower is preaching to you! Read more

Jesus, Are You the One? Matthew 11:3

Last updated on: December 15, 2019 at 3:27 pm By Leah D. Schade

“Jesus, are you the one?” Matthew 11:3. It was a question cried out in desperation from a prison cell where a man wearing a scratchy camel’s hair robe awaited his execution. Read more

The Unbearable Whiteness of Preaching

Last updated on: December 8, 2019 at 3:42 pm By Leah D. Schade

I am a white teacher of preaching who has been doing this work for almost four years. It’s time to interrogate and deconstruct my perpetuation of whiteness in the pulpit. Read more

You Brood of Vipers! John the Baptist Gives Us Permission Not to Be Nice

Last updated on: December 5, 2019 at 2:10 pm By Leah D. Schade

“You brood of vipers!” This year in the midst of the impeachment hearings, we hear the words of John the Baptist knowing that a brood of vipers is running our country. Text: Matthew 3:1-12 We’re a few weeks away from Christmas and some of us are feeling pretty good about ourselves. Most people I’ve talked to have at least started on their Christmas decorations and shopping. This is the time of year when people are willing to open up their... Read more

Imagine the Child – Reflection from Rev. Fred Small

Last updated on: December 1, 2019 at 9:27 am By Leah D. Schade

Rev. Fred Small invites us to imagine the child affected by the climate crisis and how we might act now to create a better future for all children. Read more

Jesus, Apocalyptic Discourse, and the Climate Crisis: Ideas for Preaching Matthew 24:36-44

Last updated on: November 29, 2019 at 10:19 am By Leah D. Schade

A sermon on Matthew 24:36-44 can explore the image of the church as an "ark" offering refuge and safety in the midst of cataclysmic climate change. Read more

American Indians & Indigenous Peoples Don’t Owe You Hope: Interview with Tink Tinker

Last updated on: November 28, 2019 at 9:08 am By Leah D. Schade

When it comes to the climate crisis, Tink Tinker reminds us we cannot appropriate hope or despair from those we have brutally colonized and continue to oppress. Read more