Tag Archives: Congregational Church

THE THREE MOVEMENTS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

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PART 2 – FROM HOSTILITY TO HOSPITALITY – Luke 24: 28-35

A Sermon by Dr. Richard A. Wing, Co-Pastor, October 13, 2019

INTRODUCTION: I suggest that we are never so ARROGANT as to think we can find God. However, there are places we can go Where God can find us.

Thomas Merton said: GOD COMES TO US

  • In scripture
  • Inside ourselves
  • In the stranger

The biblical word proclaims: when hostility toward the stranger is translated to hospitality, God comes near. Henri Nouwen describes all of us: “In our world full of strangers, we witness a painful search for a hospitable place where life can be lived without fear and where community can be found.” If we go way back in our family history, all of us will find relatives who came to this land as strangers.  The Mayflower arrived in 1620 and just eleven years later four brothers and their mother came to the new land from Banbury Cross, England.  For a strong 15-year period, the newcomers found tremendous hospitality from the native people who had been there for 10,000 years.

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THE END OF BOOKKEEPING RELIGION

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Galatians 5: 1, 13, 14 (The text is at the end of this sermon manuscript)

A sermon by Dr. Richard A. Wing, Co-Pastor, September 8, 2019

Jesus changed everything when he said: “Turn around and believe the good news.” Mark 1:15. What is the good news? The good news is the end of bookkeeping religion. My friend Robert Capon said: “Jesus established once and for all a right relationship between us and God and there is nothing you can do to earn it, deserve it, or revoke that which has been given.”  That’s the good news. That is the main message that I take in my visits with prisoners.  

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TO SEE YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU

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This summer I filled out 24 pages of an application in order to teach contemplation and mediation to inmates in the prison system in Florence, AZ. When announcing I was entering the prison, some of my friends rejoiced that I was finally found out! Very funny friends. Actually, they remind me that “religion without humor is deadly.” Continue reading →

Sermon — July 7, 2019

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By Rev. Sandi Anthony

Galatians 6:1-18 — My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5For all must carry their own loads. 6Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. 7Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. 10So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

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THE UNTETHERED SOUL

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Notes from a sermon by Dr. Richard A. Wing, Co-Pastor

June 16, 2019

THE UNTETHERED SOUL – John 6: 56-69

We cannot learn our true purpose and meaning in life by focusing on ourselves.

The great gift of the Christian faith is that we are rescued from our self-obsession and our self-preoccupation. Michael Singer wrote in his book from which I took the sermon title, THE UNTETHERED SOUL: ”Your inner growth is completely dependent upon the realization that the only way to find peace and contentment is to STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF.”

AA Members are clear that the aim of the program is to move from the mind that serves itself to the mind that serves others.The Gospel of John says, “Many of (the disciples of Jesus) turned away and no longer accompanied him.” Jesus cut through all of the fear that Peter had and said to him:  “Do you also want to leave?”

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