2024 Livestream and Vespers

December 29, 2024:  The New Year is a time to examine your walk with God. Is God calling you to something new? Consider the story of Simeon, who went out for a walk and his life was changed by encountering the baby Jesus. What does God have in store for you? Come and learn how to walk new paths. Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

December 24, 2024:  Celebrate with a service of lessons and carols.

December 22, 2024:  We continue to prepare in this last week of Advent for the birth of Jesus. We won’t necessarily be in deep theological reflection, but through laughter, singing and pure astonishment. The arrival of Emmanuel is proclaimed by two pregnant women…one young, poor, and unwed, the other far beyond the age to conceive. A baby leaps in the womb. Blessings are shared. What begins as a visit to the preacher’s wife” gives us a song, Mary’s song. It is a song of global political and economic importance… the Magnificat. Come hear Mary sing some of the most prophetic words in Scripture. Rev. Judy May preaches.

December 15, 2024:  Mary’s joy was not limited by the improbability that such a thing could happen in Nazareth. In this simple, tight-knit community of limited resources–a place where survival required interdependence with your neighbors–Jesus would be raised and grow into the teacher he became. This week, we wonder: what joy can we glean from the simplest of moments, the simplest of gifts, allowing ourselves to savor this season, pregnant with possibilities? You also won’t want to miss this amazing All Music Sunday as all of our music ministries bring us into the joy of this season. Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

December 8, 2024:  It feels poignant that this week we visit Jerusalem in our Advent story and the city is known as “the city of peace.” Certainly, we’ve been focused on the difficulties of prevailing peace in this turbulent part of the world even today. There is also the matter of our own “new Jerusalem” within. We wait for the day when we will feel more peace, have more peace, within ourselves. This week, we ask, “what are we waiting for?” and we learn that what happens within us while we wait is as important as the outcome. Can we be at peace–work for peace–“live peaceably”–even while waiting? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

December 1, 2024:  Our lives and stories are often shaped by that which is out of our immediate control. This was true in the moment of the Roman decree that would turn into the story of hope for the world. On this first week of Advent, we ask ourselves whether we are placing our hope in the empires of the world, or in the liberating through-line of God’s presence. What are we longing for this Advent, and how does it call us to act with hope? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

November 24, 2024:  What does it mean to be a king? Is it about power and glory? Or is there more to it? Jesus brings about a different kind of reign where the end is the beginning. When our worlds come to an end, where might God be bringing a new beginning. . . new life. . . new hope. . . resurrection? Don’t forget to join us for Hanging of the Greens following our services this morning as we Deck the Halls for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

November 17, 2024:  Whether one finds it in the Sermon on the Mount or the Sermon on the Plain, Matthew and Luke record the words of Jesus we call The Golden Rule. It’s a short, simple, easy to memorize phrase. But…has it become merely a Silver Suggestion or a Platinum Platitude? Jesus says it’s the whole ball of wax found in the Law and the Prophets. Let’s explore what that means as, together, we travel on the path of faithful discipleship. See you for worship, online or in person! Rev. Judy May preaches.

November 10, 2024:  In a time of bitter divisions, how do we find our way back to kindness? A divided community of faith in Ephesus was experiencing significant tension as St. Paul wrote to them with some sound advice for how to live amidst their differences with one another. Might his advice be helpful to us in our world today?  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

November 3, 2024:  Heaven is a promise for every follower of Christ. It will be glorious, beyond our imaginations. But… what are we waiting for? Jesus said that the Kingdom of God has already begun. We’ll consider what it is to meet the promise of heaven now, as well as always. .  Rev.Rick Kress preaches.

October 27, 2024: Equal sacrifice is not about equal gifts. What is God leading each of us to give as an act of gratitude to give witness to Jesus’ life and love through the ministries of St. Paul’s? Join us this week as we consecrate our estimates of giving and find out how a mighty a mite can be.  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

October 20, 2024: Growing up, the importance of showing gratitude was instilled in us as children by our parents. Even at Halloween as we greeted strangers at their doorsteps saying, “Trick or Treat”, if I tried to step off the porch without saying the “magic words,” I can still hear my parents asking, “What do you say?” “Thank you,” I’d utter as I rushed off to the next house. It was more important than saying, “Trick or Treat.” Join us this week as we hear a story of ten lepers who were healed and only one returned to say, “Thank you.” How did Jesus’ healing touch spur his deep gratitude? Join us on Sunday to hear more of his story.  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

October 13, 2024: Do you like action packed, tension filled stories that are filled with great detail and special characters? Does the Gospel of Mark have a story for you! Come to worship and put yourself in a tale of four waymakers, someone suffering from an illness, onlookers, scribes and the Waymaker. Have you ever seen anything like it? Have your ever been anything like it?  Rev. Judy May preaches.

October 6, 2024: “I will of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing,” God told Abram. God saw Abram’s faithfulness and chose his family to bless all the peoples of the earth. How does God continue to use us to bless the world to this very day? What does it mean for us to be vessels of God’s generosity for the world. . . to be Waymakers?  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

September 22, 2024: The world can be a pretty rough place at times. Maybe you’re going through a tough patch and need encouragement in your struggles. What is powerful enough to do that? Love. Why? Because whatever difficulties you may face, in the end, love wins, thanks to Jesus Christ.  Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

September 29, 2024:  This week during worship, we’re giving bibles to our third-graders.  This Sunday marks a key  moment in their lives as we entrust them with their opportunities to continue to read and study God’s word. We’ll also dive into the scriptures ourselves as finish our “Love Your Neighbor” series b;y talking about the neighbors with whom we dine. Perhaps you’ve heard it said, “You’re know by the company you keep.” We’ll look at how Jesus responded to that when some folks questioned who he invited to his table.  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

September 15, 2024: “Hey, I remember you. You’re the guy who walked by the other day and looked past me as I held the door for you,” said the man on the streets to a young seminarian. His words as well as the location of the restaurant where he held the door for me are forever etched in my mind to this very day over 25 years later. He reminded me that we all long to be seen, noticed, appreciated, and even loved. Join us this Sunday as we hear Jesus talk about a man who was overlooked. What might it mean for our neighbors to feel seen? We’ll also have an opportunity to meet one of our newest neighbors and part of our St. Paul’s family, Michelle Staarmann, the Director of our St. Paul’s Preschool program at 9 and 11. You’ll love how we’re making a difference in our neighborhood!  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

September 8, 2024: “Who is my neighbor?” We often think of the answer to this question in terms of geography. Who are the people who live in front of us, beside us, behind us, across the street or down the block from us. Jesus, however, suggests that the answer is not a geographical answer, but an ethical answer. It requires a moral and theological response from us as people created in the image of God. In fact, Jesus flips the question by telling a familiar parable and asking, “Which of these was a neighbor to the man?”  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

September 1, 2024:  As people who seek to identify as “people of the way,” how do we learn to live faithfully? What are the reliable resources of information? We can learn how to do most anything if we just watch a You Tube video. Can we find a tutorial on the internet to help us grow into and remain a faithful Christian Community? Do we need to You Tube it? The writer of the Epistle James gave us a tutorial long before dial-up…come hear how it’s done! Rev. Judy May preaches.

August 25, 2024:  It takes courage to change, to break out of whatever narrow paths we might find ourselves in. Just like Peter, if we are going to change, we have to take the first uncertain steps out of the boat onto the water and into the unknown. Luckily, we too have Jesus’ redeeming help and support, his hand reaching out to us, if we start to sink or lose our way. Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

August 18, 2024:  In our scripture today, Jesus asks us to let go of life “as it is” in order to create and multiply the love that is eternal. What feels like the chaos, or recklessness, of change is the breaking-open of possibility and the sprouting of new life. This is what it means to follow the change-maker Jesus and serve his purpose of more love in the world. Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

August 11, 2024:  It’s not always easy to know God’s will, but it’s often even harder to do God’s will. For a follower of Jesus, it starts on the inside, in the heart, this knowing and doing God’s will, and then it shows on the outside. Consider how to know and do God’s will and why God’s own heart is the key to it. Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

August 4, 2024:  God’s creative activity is described as an ongoing active force for good. Rather than fashioning us of something that could not change, the biblical metaphor is that we are fashioned of clay, a malleable substance that can be reshaped again and again. When life requires change of us, let us embrace our ability to roll with it, for we were made for this! Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

July 28, 2024:  VBS Sunday – Come to church wearing your VBS shirt so we can celebrate our fantastic week with our church family! The VBS Singers will be sharing their enthusiasm with us during the 11 a.m. worship service.

July 21, 2024:  Let’s start with a quiz. Are the words Fear or Afraid mentioned often in scripture? What does scripture have to say about fear? What is another word for faith? In whose boat are you? Don’t be afraid…there will not be a written exam…just some thoughts to ponder in our highly fear-charged world. Rev. Judy May preaches.

July 14, 2024:  When Jesus stood at the lakeshore and called the disciples, he told a group of fishermen that if they followed him, he’d make them “fishers of people.” Over the course of his journey throughout Galilee with them, their work and their lives were transformed. How does Jesus still transform our perspective today? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

July 7, 2024:  There’s nothing more disappointing than to be fishing all night long and to come up with nothing. What do we do when we’ve worked hard but can’t find anything to show for the work we’ve been doing? Isn’t that one of our greatest fears in life. . . in the Church? How do we bring ourselves to throw out the nets one more time when we think the fish have gone somewhere else? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

June 30, 2024:  This Sunday at 9:30 a.m. you are invited to breakfast on the beach. Jesus is cooking fish for his disciples! After the meal, we are invited to overhear a private conversation Jesus has with Peter…three questions; three answers; three directives. It’s all about love! Stay for worship at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary, led by the youth and adult leaders. They will share their experiences from their work trip in South Dakota. Rev. Judy May preaches.

June 23, 2024:  Exploring John 8:1-11 can be tricky; not only is this passage one of the most popular in the New Testament, but it is one of the most controversial too, with some scholars even arguing against its inclusion in the Bible. We will delve into the rich history of this verse and how God’s unwavering message has been preserved down the generations to continue to guide and inspire humanity. Gabriel Ervin preaches.

June 16, 2024:  Have you ever gone into a room in your home and wondered, “What did I come in here for?” After hearing John the Baptizer’s words about Jesus, some decide to follow him. Jesus asks them, “What are you looking for?” What should we expect to experience when we follow Jesus? What are we searching for? How does Jesus bring us to so much more than simple answers to our questions? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

June 9, 2024:  Worry can keep us up at night. Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry. Be happy,” but certainly it’s not as easy as that, is it? How does our faith help us to find peace in the midst of the things that bring us so much worry in the world around us? How can others help us to experience God’s presence in the moments that cause our hearts to beat a little too fast? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

June 2, 2024:  Jesus asked this question of his closest followers and he still asks us today. People have different answers to the question, but what is it really all about? The journey of faith is a constant reconsideration of this penetrating question— “Who do you say I am?” Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

May 26, 2024:  This week is Trinity Sunday.  But what exactly is the “Trinity”?  How is it that we understand a mystery?  Nicodemus once asked a similar question of Jesus, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?”  Just what does it mean to be “born of the Spirit”? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

May 19, 2024:  The prophet Joel once declared, “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”  When the Spirit came down upon the disciples on that first Pentecost, everyone who was nearby heard what God was doing in our world.  As our confirmands prepare to affirm their faith this week, how is God’s Spirit still moving among us?  What visions do they see among us?  What dreams do we share together with them…for St. Paul’s…for the Church…for our world? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

May 12, 2024:  A witness not only knows about something, they know it. We’ll consider the witnesses of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and how our we might bear witness to life in Christ. Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

May 5, 2024:  An old hymn reminds us, “There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.” One day Peter found himself in the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, when the Spirit of God fell upon them all. He wasn’t really expecting to see God’s presence in this Gentile home, but God was there before Peter even came along. It wasn’t long before Peter found himself preaching a baptizing the whole household. Sometimes we find God in the places and among the people we least expect. How might God’s Spirit be on the move among us even today? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

April 28, 2024: On this fifth Sunday of Easter our Gospel text lets us overhear some of the farewell speech Jesus offers the disciples before going to the cross. Jesus specifically defines their, and our, responsibility to carry on his teaching and example. Because we are the direct spiritual descendants of those disciples, Jesus insists that we stay connected to him and discard whatever gets in the way of that vital, faithful task. In this season of new life and growth, Jesus uses wonderful gardening metaphors to guide us to become fruitful followers. Are we ready for getting rooted, pruned and nourished to bear the fruit that honors God? Scripture offers several choices. We get to choose…or not. Rev. Judy May preaches.

April 21, 2024: “What do sheep and humans have in common?”  The question sounds like a set-up for a preacher’s joke.  On the other hand, sheep are mentioned over 500 times in the Bible.  And shepherds are mentioned over 200 times.  Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  While we are somewhat removed from the shepherding culture as the Western Knitting Mills first closed in the late 1920’s and currently houses the Rochester Mills Beer Company, how might these images of shepherding and sheep still speak to us today?  Are we sheep or shepherds?  What do sheep do?  What does a good shepherd do?  How do you love sheep?  Let’s explore the pastures together! Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

April 14, 2024:  Join us this Sunday as we continue to celebrate the resurrection in this season of Easter. The Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez will share a message entitled, “We Purify in Hope”. During both services, we’ll be expressing our gratitude and prayers for Pastor April and her family as she prepares to transition to a new appointment as the co-pastor at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Portage, Michigan. You’re also invited to join our Staff-Parish Relations Committee between services at 10:30 a.m. in Hickey Hall as we celebrate her ministry with us.  Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez preaches.

April 7, 2024:  Did Jesus ever laugh? While John 11:35, the shortest verse in the scriptures, tells us that “Jesus wept,” we don’t have a similar occurrence of Jesus laughing. On the other hand, Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 proclaims, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” The psalmists understood God to laugh, often at the expense of whose who would plot against God or God’s people. Psalm 2:4 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.” Certainly Jesus, who experienced the fullness of humanity and divinity, laughed more than once in his journey on this earth. Join us this Sunday as we continue to share the joy of the resurrection by celebrating God’s gift of laughter among us.  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

March 31, 2024: Three days had passed. The women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, according to custom. No doubt the journey to the tomb was heavy. Perhaps they approached with heads lowered in defeat and grief. But then they looked up and it changed their lives. The barrier that they thought would be there was gone and what they discovered instead was life. Will we look up? Will we look up from our complacency, apathy, fear and depression about “the way things are” and be filled with the promise of new life and hope yet again? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

March 24, 2024:  Make no mistake, the powers-that-be in Jerusalem sat up and took notice at the actions of Jesus and his motley crew of palm-waving followers on that morning. It was a show of the “power” of love and injustice for the “least of these,” in stark juxtaposition to the military might of the Roman rulers. It was a non-violent action featuring a man sitting on a donkey — an action that has offered hope throughout the ages. Will we sit up and take notice of the injustice of this world and work to eradicate it in ways that honor that first Palm Sunday parade? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

March 17, 2024:  “When nothing else would help, love lifted me!” says the old Gospel song. To be lifted up is to be drawn into the love of God. Jesus drew all kinds of people to him during his short tenure on earth, drawing no boundaries for who was invited into that love. As his hour to die drew nearer, he spread the message that all things would be enveloped in his love even after he was gone. What uplifting message will we pass on to others? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

March 10, 2024:  As we continue the series for Lent “What R U Up 2” we encounter Nic at night. It’s dark, but Nicodemus seeks to have a conversation with the Light of the World, Jesus. This is no Seasonal Affective Disorder Nicodemus wishes to discard. It’s Spiritual Affective Disorder. He lacks the light of Christ, but Jesus says his light, his love, is available to all. And Jesus says in another Gospel, “You are the light of the world; let your light shine!” Let it shine to any we encounter who are living in darkness. We are charged to LIGHT UP the world with the relentless love of God in Christ. Rev. Judy May preaches.

March 3, 2024:  The story of Jesus’ response to the temple being made into a marketplace was profound and may have been another step toward his ultimate demise on the cross. He refers to raising up a new temple in three days — something his disciples later remembered as a foretelling of his resurrection. How might we raise up as the Body of Christ and be a holy temple — a holy dwelling place of God — in the world? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

February 25, 2024: Jesus was very clear that following him might not be a smooth ride. He was bound to choose the just way, not the easy way, through life. To take up the cross was to lose one’s life — to let go of certain expectations of safety and acceptance in order to stand for the Gospel message of love. How are we to take up the causes of Jesus — justice, righteousness, and mercy in our day? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

February 18, 2024: The first Sunday of this series brings us to the moment at which Jesus comes up out of the waters of baptism to hear, “You are my beloved.” We are called to come up out of the depths of whatever seeks to keep us under and know that we are beloved of God. Come up, for now is the time to be fully who you are created to be for the sake of the world. Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

February 11, 2024: Perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the world is when you find yourself standing on the mountaintop looking out over the region all around.  The heights give us a fresh perspective of the lay of the land.  There is a comfort to being on top of it all.  Even some of the earliest disciples felt this way with Jesus once.  In fact, one wanted to simply stay up there.  Yet, Jesus led them back down into the valleys of the world where life and ministry happen.  How do the mountaintops move us into the valleys even today? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

February 4, 2024:  This is a great week to invite a friend to watch Chevalier with you in your home on Hulu or another streaming source. We’ll wrap up our St. Paul’s in the Movies series with a story of the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an 18th-century black, French master composer, violinist extraordinaire, and contemporary of Mozart. We’ll look at his greatest achievements as well as his struggles to be received in the time that he lived as well how similar struggles impact our world today. Afterwards, you won’t want to miss out on our Made in Michigan celebrations! Food, fun, and music make for an amazing week to be at St. Paul’s! Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

January 28, 2024:  “There is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM,’” we often hear spoken to one another. What is it, though, that makes for a team? When the odds seem stacked against the team, how do they rise to the top? Don’t forget to invite a friend to a local theater to watch The Boys in the Boat and then have them join you in worship as we talk about the story as well as a more ancient story of what happens when the people of God, with all of our diverse gifts, come together. How might God be bringing us together in our world today? Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

January 21, 2024:  The movie “Migration” is a fun-filled adventure about ducks migrating to Jamaica. It makes us think of what it would be like to be a migrant and how to overcome some of the common problems we all face in life. Using the story of Ruth, we will consider how to meet obstacles as they appear and how the Holy Spirit can be our helper to navigate life’s challenges. Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

January 14, 2024:  Take some friends out to the movies to see “The Color Purple” this week and then invite them to join us for Sunday morning worship as we discover faith connections in film. Listening to a familiar story about Jesus, might we see a new faith, hope, and love spring into our own stories. Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

January 7, 2024:  Join us as we begin a new year and dive once more into the waters to explore our baptism. In beloved community, we’ll hear God’s claim on one another anew. We’re also excited to celebrate the ministry of our United Women in Faith as we commission and pray for their leadership team.  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

December 31, 2023:  After the Christmas exhaustion, it’s hard to think about anything new, even for a New Year. Yet God does call you to sing a new song with a faith that is ever renewing. How can you do this when you’re wiped out from the holiday rush? It is possible! When you learn to sing that new song, your life changes in positive ways.  Rev. Rick Kress preaches.

December 24, 2023:  Mary personifies grace and nourishment, conviction and faith, proclaiming through her magnificent song of joy at being the Christ-bearer. As take the final movement to Christmas day, may we follow her lead, becoming little houses of God, making room for one more at the Christmas feast, who bring a little more hope and beauty in God’s weary, glorious world.  Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez preaches.

December 17, 2023:  Every Nativity scene includes shepherds. Aside from Mary and Joseph, they were the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth. Unlikely recipients of “good news” and frightened by the initial presence of the angels, they were also the first to respond to what God was doing in the world. The shepherds continue to set an example for followers of Jesus to this very day.  Rev. Elbert Dulworth preaches.

December 10, 2023:  We are celebrating the third week of Advent, when we light the pink candle for JOY! Billups writes, “Advent joy is in the air, and it even has a soundtrack. ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel,’ God with us, coming to us, and not merely us, but joy to the world!” (pg 61). Come and honor the joy of the season of anticipation of the coming of our Savior.   Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez preaches.

December 3, 2023:  Who are the characters on your Christmas card? Who will appear in the yearly children’s Christmas pageant? Of course, we see artists’ renditions of Mary, Joseph, the manger and baby, as well as shepherds, angels and animals. But what about that bitter old man who shows up in Matthew’s birth story? Come hear what is revealed about this unlikely, rarely portrayed, very important participant in “Jesus, the Early Days” story.  Rev. Judy May preaches.