Directions - Matthew 2:1-12 - Christmas 2 - Epiphany - 1-2-22

 Sermon podcast from the Second Sunday of Christmas - Epiphany Sunday, 1-2-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 2:1-12

Video sermon preview 

"Directions" podcast

The whole worship service

Another Road - Matthew 2:1-12 - Epiphany Sunday - 1-3-21

 

Sermon podcast from Epiphany Sunday - 1-3-21 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 2:1-12

Video sermon preview

"Another Road" podcast

The whole online worship service

The Star

Sermon podcast from Epiphany - 1-6-19 - at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 2:1-12.  We fail to live out love.

Video sermon preview
"The Star" podcast

Directions

This past Sunday's sermon podcast from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.
"Directions" podcast

Recognizing Jesus

Last year's last post (Familiarity) begins the thoughts that are now this year's first post, and Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Recognizing Jesus" text
"Recognizing Jesus" podcast

Familiarity

This week's Bible reading is from Matthew 2:1-12 -- the visit of the Magi.

What's the message of the visit of the Magi?

• I don't think it is in how many of them there were
• Or exactly what they were 
• Or who they were
• Or even where they were from
• I don’t think the message is in what they followed
• I don’t think the timing of when they arrived is really significant either
• And I don’t think the gifts they brought are central to the message

I think that the real message is that these visitors from another land, another culture, and another religion recognized Jesus.

Before jumping right to saying something like “Everyone should recognize Jesus – The Magi did! Why doesn’t everyone open their eyes and see Jesus and become followers of Jesus?” Let me suggest a different direction.

Do I recognize Jesus?

Strangers in this week's Bible reading saw Jesus’ face.

What about when Jesus has a stranger’s face?  What about when Jesus has the face of my adversary?  What about when Jesus has the face of the person I wish didn't?

(More) Directions

The i.ucc Bible study blog entry from Monday (Directions) has the exact title as this Sunday's question-filled Epiphany sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk.

"Directions" text

"Directions" podcast 

Recognizing Jesus

Monday's (that was last year!) Bible study blog entry for i.ucc.org (What do you see?) is now tomorrow's Epiphany sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk!

"Recognizing Jesus" text
"Recognizing Jesus" podcast