Saint Stephen's UCC

The three couplets of today’s passage from Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 are full of interconnected truth and warning. In a sermon by Pastor Craig Janney entitled, "A Good Name," we reflect on several biblical truths in a "Would You Rather" game format. 
 
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Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and 
favor is better than silver or gold. 
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the 
maker of them all. 
 
8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger 
will fail. 
9 Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread 
with the poor. 
 
22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the 
afflicted at the gate; 
23 for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who 
despoil them.

The three couplets of today’s passage from Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 are full of interconnected truth and warning. In a sermon by Pastor Craig Janney entitled, "A Good Name," we reflect on several biblical truths in a "Would You Rather" game format.

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Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and
favor is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the
maker of them all.

8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger
will fail.
9 Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread
with the poor.

22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the
afflicted at the gate;
23 for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who
despoil them.

A Good Name // Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

Today's sermon from Mark 9:2-9, 10 entitled, "Transfiguring" looks at a defining moment when the apostle Peter's confession - "You are the Messiah" - is confirmed. Pastor Craig Janney invites us to consider the words uttered of Jesus by God on the mount of Transfiguration: "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him!" 
 
During the 40 days of Lent, a season for reflecting and preparing for Easter, Saint Stephen's United Church of Christ will be reading through the Gospel of Mark looking for and listening to the clear commands of Jesus in the red letters. Our goals for this exercise are to read the Gospel of Mark and listen to Jesus. 
 
Investing your time to grow closer to the LORD by reading the Scriptures and letting the Holy Spirit minister to you will transform you from a reader, to a hearer, to a follower, to a disciple, to a disciple-maker. Like the disciples in today’s reading, you will probably have questions - great! Living by faith is trusting the One who makes promises through moments of sacred uncertainty, scary suffering, and delightful celebration. 
 
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Mark 9:2-10 
 
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. 
 
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

Today's sermon from Mark 9:2-9, 10 entitled, "Transfiguring" looks at a defining moment when the apostle Peter's confession - "You are the Messiah" - is confirmed. Pastor Craig Janney invites us to consider the words uttered of Jesus by God on the mount of Transfiguration: "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him!"

During the 40 days of Lent, a season for reflecting and preparing for Easter, Saint Stephen's United Church of Christ will be reading through the Gospel of Mark looking for and listening to the clear commands of Jesus in the red letters. Our goals for this exercise are to read the Gospel of Mark and listen to Jesus.

Investing your time to grow closer to the LORD by reading the Scriptures and letting the Holy Spirit minister to you will transform you from a reader, to a hearer, to a follower, to a disciple, to a disciple-maker. Like the disciples in today’s reading, you will probably have questions - great! Living by faith is trusting the One who makes promises through m

Transfiguring // Mark 9:2-9, 10

In a sermon entitled, "How God Speaks" from 1 Kings 19, Pastor Craig tells the story of the cowardly prophet Elijah running for his life to Mount Horeb following the courageous act of power at Mount Carmel. Asking how God speaks is less important than how we react to God speaking. Today's message is a reminder that our encounters with God change us when we're ready to listen AND respond. What will you do when God speaks? 
 
1 Kings 19:9-18 
9 At that place he [Elijah] came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” 11 He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

In a sermon entitled, "How God Speaks" from 1 Kings 19, Pastor Craig tells the story of the cowardly prophet Elijah running for his life to Mount Horeb following the courageous act of power at Mount Carmel. Asking how God speaks is less important than how we react to God speaking. Today's message is a reminder that our encounters with God change us when we're ready to listen AND respond. What will you do when God speaks?

1 Kings 19:9-18
9 At that place he [Elijah] came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” 11 He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was spli

How God Speaks // 1 Kings 19:9-18

In a sermon about God visiting the young King Solomon in a dream, Pastor Craig invites you to make space to listen for God and to God. Discernment allows God’s written words, and God’s spoken words, and God’s lived-out words to help us make decisions about what we want and why. 
 
1 Kings 3:5-12 
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” 
 
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.

In a sermon about God visiting the young King Solomon in a dream, Pastor Craig invites you to make space to listen for God and to God. Discernment allows God’s written words, and God’s spoken words, and God’s lived-out words to help us make decisions about what we want and why.

1 Kings 3:5-12
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or cou

Decision or Discernment // 1 Kings 3:5-12

The Body of Christ - the Church - has different gifts and expressions held together by the Holy Spirit. Today's sermon reflects on the gift of the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and how the gifts of that one Spirit unify us. 
 
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 
 
3 No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The Body of Christ - the Church - has different gifts and expressions held together by the Holy Spirit. Today's sermon reflects on the gift of the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and how the gifts of that one Spirit unify us.

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

3 No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues

Saint Stephen's UCC Videos

A Good Name // Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

Transfiguring // Mark 9:2-9, 10

How God Speaks // 1 Kings 19:9-18

Decision or Discernment // 1 Kings 3:5-12

One Spirit // 1 Corinthians 12:3-13

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Saint Stephen's UCC Videos

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A Good Name // Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

Transfiguring // Mark 9:2-9, 10

How God Speaks // 1 Kings 19:9-18

Decision or Discernment // 1 Kings 3:5-12

One Spirit // 1 Corinthians 12:3-13

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