Friends Congregational Church Sermons

This I Believe | October 25, 2020 | Trent Williams

The Rev. Trent Williams, our Executive Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Mark 9:14-33, titled “This I Believe" on the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
The sermon reflects on faith as a blend of belief and doubt, highlighting the transformative power of kindness, compassion, and small acts of love in our world. 
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2020.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Reformed and Reforming | October 29, 2017 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Matthew 22:34-46, titled “Reformed and Reforming" on the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Love—love for God and neighbor—stands at the core of Jesus' teachings, as described in the Gospel of Matthew. The Rev. De Leon challenges the tendency toward certainty, viewing it as idolatrous, and invites the congregation into a deeper, more adventurous faith, open to growth and transformation. Drawing from personal experiences and historical context, he underscores the importance of continual reformation within the church, particularly in addressing social justice issues like domestic violence, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and racial equality.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2017.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Reconciling a Misogynistic Mess | October 9, 2016 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Genesis 33:1-11, titled “Reconciling a Misogynistic Mess" on the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
In this sermon, the Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon explores the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, emphasizing themes of reconciliation over judgment. He highlights the historical conflict between the brothers and contrasts it with their eventual reunion, which signifies the possibility of forgiveness and healing. De Leon critiques societal issues such as misogyny and cultural norms that perpetuate judgment, advocating for a church that values reconciliation and compassion. He encourages vulnerability, honesty, and humility as essential for addressing systemic injustices and fostering understanding. Through personal anecdotes, he illustrates the importance of recognizing diverse family structures and the need for the church to engage actively in promoting human dignity and justice. The sermon concludes with a prayer for grace and respect in relationships across gender lines.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2016.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Sacred Conversation on the Occasion of Access Sunday | October 18, 2015 | Dan De Leon, Robin Miller and David Manuel

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, Robin Miller and David Manuel share a Sacred Conversation on the Occasion of Access Sunday reflecting on Mark 10:35-45, on the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2015.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Sibling Mutuality | November 2, 2014 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Matthew 23:1-12, titled “Sibling Mutuality" on the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from humility and serving one another, rather than seeking titles and recognition. He invites us to see each other as siblings in a covenant community, where labels and hierarchies do not define our worth in God's eyes.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2014.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

I Know What I Am | October 6, 2024 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Luke 5:27-29 titled “I Know What I Am" on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
This sermon emphasizes the importance of embracing "guesthood" in faith, reflecting Jesus' role as a guest rather than a host at meals, and how this shapes Christian practice. It challenges believers to see themselves as guests at God's table, fostering humility, mutual care, and love for others rather than assuming the role of hosts. By living out this posture of guesthood, the sermon calls for Christians to reject exclusion and Christian nationalism, focusing instead on serving others and cultivating God’s kingdom on Earth.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

You Can’t Wear That | October 15, 2023 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Matthew 22: 1-14 titled “You Can’t Wear That" on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
This sermon explores the concept of authenticity in faith, emphasizing that outward appearances, like clothing, should not define one's relationship with God or others. It reflects on the importance of shedding pride, self-absorption, and societal constructs of hierarchy to "wear" humility, compassion, and grace, as we are all invited to be our true selves in the Kingdom of God. The message calls for the church community to be a transformative space that changes the world through love and understanding, supporting one another in vulnerability and unity.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2023.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Beautiful, Broken, Beloved | October 23, 2022 | Trent Williams

The Rev. Trent Williams, our Executive Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Luke 18:9-14, titled “Beautiful, Broken, Beloved" on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
This sermon compares the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18, emphasizing how we often see ourselves as righteous, yet fall into hypocrisy. It warns against self-righteousness, particularly in today’s divisive culture, and highlights the tax collector’s humble acknowledgment of sin as a key to grace. The message explores how human beings are a mix of sinner and saint, broken but created in God's image, and calls for compassion toward ourselves and others as we navigate life’s imperfections, aiming for unity and love in a world that constantly pressures us to judge and divide.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2022.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Access Sunday | October 10, 2021 | Brooke Dooley

The Rev. Brooke Dooley, our Associate Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Luke 5:17-20, titled “Access Sunday" on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
This sermon reflects on Access Sunday and the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities in church life and society. It highlights how the pandemic exacerbated isolation for people with disabilities and the ongoing need for accessibility and allyship. The sermon draws on the story of the paralyzed man in Luke, where his friends dismantle a roof to ensure he could reach Jesus, illustrating the importance of challenging barriers. The message emphasizes listening to marginalized voices and dismantling systems of exclusion while recognizing the complexity of healing as embracing the fullness of one’s identity, not erasing it.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2021.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Both/And | October 18, 2020 | Trent Williams

The Rev. Trent Williams, our Executive Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Mark 9:1-13, titled “Both/And" on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
This sermon reflects on the experience of light and darkness, both physical and spiritual. It contrasts the artificial brightness of the modern world with the profound darkness experienced in the past. The sermon explores the story of Jesus' transfiguration and how the disciples were called not to fixate on the light but to follow it into action. Drawing on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Mountaintop" speech, the message emphasizes that while spiritual highs are important, they must lead to service, justice, and faithfulness in everyday life.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2020.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org