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  Sermon by Rev. Todd Weir Scripture:  Mark 12 October 24, 2020   The Great Commandment to love God and neighbor is central to my spirituality.  The affirmation of both inward spirituality and outward compassion and justice grounds me.  My soul is inspired by contemplatives like Thomas Merton, St. Benedict and St. Theresa of Avila; as well as Social Gospel preachers ranging from Martin Luther King, Jr., abolitionists like the Harriet Beecher Stowe and her family of clergy, to Rev. William Barber today.  It may seem quiet contemplates and noisy activists are polar opposites, but this is what moves my soul, and I think this is true for Jesus too.  I won’t give either side up, especially in a week like this.   As we near two short weeks till an election that feels like it has been going on [...]

Sermon by Rev. Todd Weir Scripture:  Exodus 17: 1-7 September 27, 2020 Reading about Moses inspires me.  He is a bold advocate for justice, speaks truth to power as he confronts Pharaoh.  He gets into “good trouble” many times, as he navigates multiple threats. Pharaoh’s armies, hunger, thirst and the flagging faith of the people he leads.  Throughout everything Moses continually deepens his relationship with God.  He is propelled by an inner vision, which makes him a great leader.  He adapts and keeps people together.  Any pastor or congregation is well served to study Moses. Watch full service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-vhvmLcgwU The standard view of Exodus is that Moses guided the quarrelsome people single-handed through trials and tribulation.  The literary style emphasizes Moses’s faith over against the peoples’ lack of faith.  He is the one who saw the burning bush, who performs [...]

Sermon by Rev. Todd Weir Scripture:  Exodus 16 “Doom-scrolling” is now on the new word watchlist for the Marriam-Webster dictionary.  It means “the tendency to continue to surf or scroll {online} through bad news, even though that news is saddening, disheartening, or depressing.”  Welcome to a typical Thursday while I read the news and write my pastoral prayers.  Should I start with the scenes of Oregon amid Dante’s Inferno?  Or the Twitter video of anti-mask protestors chanting at Target, proclaiming their freedom as COVID spreaders?  Should I read about another Hurricane, the barking-mad rantings of talk show hosts or even government officials, or forced hysterectomies of detainees by ICE doctors. How can I tell if I’m a doom-scroller or just well informed? Click here to watch Sunday's Service    As I contemplated the people complaining against Moses, I felt a [...]

Sermon for September 13, 2020 by Rev. Todd Weir Scripture:  Exodus 14      This would be a great time for a Superhero to come in and fix things.  How are ancient miracle stories like the parting of the Red Sea relevant to us now?  Do you believe Moses commanded the waters to part allowing the dramatic escape of slaves to freedom?   Do we really expect God to dramatically intervene, bending the forces of creation as a modern Moses lifts his commanding hand?  Do we have to choose between science and faith?  Many commentators try to rescue the text by looking for a way the parting of the Red Sea could happen as a natural phenomenon.  Under certain tidal and wind conditions, a passageway could temporarily appear, and the Hebrews could walk across the land bridge.  The heavy chariots and [...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdacF0C2ExY&t=40s Sermon by Rev. Todd Weir September 6, 2020 Scripture:  Exodus 12 Today’s biblical text begins with the 10th and final plague on Egypt.  Because of COVID, I have some new questions about this scripture.  What does it take to recognize a plague is a real threat?  What did the average Egyptian think as Moses and Pharaoh dueled over the fate of the Hebrew slaves?  First, the water turned red.  That is a real thing.  Plankton can create a bioluminescent red tide, so that could have been a natural occurrence.  Then came the frogs.  At first, the kids ran in the streets trying to catch them.  Frogs are cute, think Kermit.  But at night, it gets pretty loud.  Then came the annoying gnats, the pesky flies.  I was once swarmed on a trail and any exposed flesh was attacked.  Flies [...]

Rev. Todd Weir Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52                                                                   July 26, 2020 I have preached on this passage many times and I realized this week that I have often missed the real point.  This is a great passage to run out to the Indian grocer, buy some mustard seed for the children’s sermon, and talk about what a wondrous plant comes from humble beginnings.  Therefore, if the Kingdom of Heaven is like a tiny mustard seed, we can have hope when we feel our efforts are unremarkable compared to the world’s need, and trust that God is going to do great things from our small plantings, and spread the Kingdom among us.  Don’t be afraid to start small in life, because God always has a bigger plan.  Small is beautiful! That is not a bad sermon to preach.  I do believe that God [...]