Who are you after Easter? (4-4-2021)
April 5, 2021
In this Easter sermon, Rev. Matt Fitzgerald asks, "Who are you after Easter?" Preached on Sunday, April 4, 2021 during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, Chicago.
March into madness (3-28-2021)
April 1, 2021
Do we as Christians really recognize what makes for peace? In this Palm Sunday sermon, Rev. Dr. Jeff Carlson reflects on Jesus' lament (from Luke 19:29-40) that we don't – and also he explores the demanding ways that Jesus says we still might. Preached on March 28, 2021 virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, Chicago. Please join us for worship Sunday mornings at 10AM Central: https://spucc.org/streaming.
flesh and skin and bones and hooves and horns (3-21-2021)
April 1, 2021
The Karl Barth quote that contributes the title of this sermon speaks to the visceral intersection of grace and sin, life and death, and, as Rev. Matt Fitzgerald puts it in this sermon "The truth of the universe" that we are forgiven. So, if you don't think so-called liberal churches preach about sin and salvation, take a few moments to hear a progressive pastor describe how "Jesus died in order to put your sinning self to death." Preached during virtual worship at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM Central: https://spucc.org/streaming
Cornerstones (3-14-2021)
April 1, 2021
In Luke 20, Jesus quotes Psalm 118: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." But do we today recognize our own foundational, essential people? Rev. Sarah Garcia reflects on the impact of the pandemic, and how one group in particular has had their essential status overlooked or taken for granted. Preached during virtual worship on March 14, 2021 at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive Christian church in Chicago. Please join us for worship Sundays a 10AM central: https://spucc.org/streaming
Kicking lions, sleeping snakes (3-7-2021)
April 1, 2021
People in a pandemic don’t need a pollyannaish look at God; we need God's presence. Matt reflects selections from Psalm 91, how the seventy disciples Jesus sends out in Luke 10 found the power of God's presence, and how we as a church can still find it together and “stomp on scorpions and kick lions.” Preached on March 7, 2021 during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive Christian church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us on Sundays for worship at 10AM Central Time: https://spucc.org/streaming.
Oh no, I see a darkness (2-28-2021)
April 1, 2021
A sermon for the second Sunday in Lent, based on Psalm 6, and Jesus' echo of it in Luke 13:22-30. Preached by Rev. Matt Fitzgerald on February 28, 2021 during virtual worship at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago. Please join us for worship Sunday's at 10AM Central Time: https://spucc.org/streaming
This Lent, celebrate in the haunted house, the world (2-21-2021)
April 1, 2021
A sermon for the first Sunday of Lent, drawing from Psalm 91: 1-4, Luke 4:1-13...and the poetic insights of Daniel Berrigan. Preached by Benny VanDerburgh, Pastoral Intern at St. Pauls UCC, Chicago, during virtual worship on February 21, 2021. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM: https://spucc.org/streaming
Lift Up Your Eyes (2-7-2021)
February 8, 2021
In this week's sermon, Jeff reflects on Psalm 40:21-31, and asks if we can lift our eyes and hearts up out of our screens, to see beyond ourselves. Preached during virtual worship at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago, a vibrant, progressive Christian community where all are always welcome. Please join us for church on Sundays, 10AM Central Time: https://spucc.org/streaming
a posture in the world (1-31-2021)
February 5, 2021
What does "fear of the Lord" really mean? How, in this already fearful time, can it possibly be the beginning of wisdom, as Psalm 111 says? And how should it shape our posture toward a loving God, and an often unloving world? This sermon was preached on January 31, 2021 by Rev. Matt Fitzgerald during the virtual worship service of St. Pauls UCC, a progressive Christian community where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM CST: https://spucc.org/streaming
“…and he didn’t do it.” (1-24-2021)
February 5, 2021
What can an outraged Jonah, commanded again to go to Nineveh, tell us about our own era of outrage? In this sermon, Rev. Matt Fitzgerald reflects on Jonah 3:1-10. Preached on Sunday, January 24, 2021 during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, a vibrant, progressive Christian church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM CST: https://spucc.org/streaming
