Imagine - Revelation 21:1-6 - Easter 5 - Mental Health Sunday - 5-15-22

 

Sermon podcast from the Fifth Sunday of Easter and Mental Health Sunday, 5-15-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Revelation 21:1-6

Sermon preview

"Imagine" podcast

The whole worship service

Imagine

Sermon podcast from Mental Health Sunday, May 19, 2019, at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Revelation 21:1-6.  We have ignored childhood trauma and adult trauma as it relates to mental health and overall health for far too long. But we can do better.

Video sermon preview
"Imagine" podcast

Imagine

Sermon podcast from today at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Part of the Earth Day Weekend "Keep it in the Ground" Preach-in across the UCC. 
"Imagine" podcast

Water of Life

On Monday it was a Bible reflection with a comically sinister title. (Revelation - dun dun dun!)  And today it formed a little bit of the basis for a scathing commentary and hopeful sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Water of Life" podcast

Revelation! (dun dun dun!)

The books and videos (I just can’t bring myself to call them films – it would show a level of artistic and theological respect from me that really isn’t there) that attempt to interpret the book of Revelation as a horror story for anyone who isn’t in the Jesus club get it wrong. The books may offer compelling fiction and the movies are  . . . just poorly acted religious schlock, but they get it wrong.

Revelation isn’t a horror story. It is one filled with anger directed at oppressors and retribution coming to those who would oppress and exploit the weak. Yet in this week’s Bible reading from Revelation 21:1-6, it’s a story of hope.

• New heaven and new earth
• No scary sea
• God with us
• Tears wiped away
• No more death, mourning, crying, or pain
• All things new
• Trustworthy and true words
• God was and is and will be – the beginning and the end.
• Refreshing, free, life-giving water

Revelation is coded and creepy and angry and really strange. But ultimately its purpose is to provide hope for people who thought things were hopeless. 

Beginning and the end

It's a Revelation week - The Bible study blog post for i.ucc.org (Not scary) provides part of what is now Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL. It's Confirmation day at UCC!
"Beginning and the End" text
"Beginning and the End" podcast

Not scary

Here's this week's mind-altering Bible study for i.ucc.org:

The books and videos (I just can’t bring myself to call them films – it would show a level of artistic and theological respect from me that really isn’t there) that attempt to interpret the book of Revelation as a horror story for anyone who isn’t in the Jesus club get it wrong. The books may offer compelling fiction and the movies are . . . just poorly acted religious schlock, but they get it wrong.

Revelation isn’t a horror story. It is one filled with anger directed at oppressors and comeuppance coming to those who would oppress and exploit the weak. (How does that look when experienced through the two rules of love God and love everyone?) Yet in this week’s Bible reading from Revelation 21:1-6, it’s a story that is filled with hope.

• New heaven and new earth
• No scary sea
• God with us
• Tears wiped away
• No more death, mourning, crying or pain
• All things new
• Trustworthy and true words
• God was and is and will be – the beginning and the end.
• Refreshing, free, life-giving water.

How would you like to share that hope?