Friends Congregational Church Sermons

Following the Imperfect Jesus | October 2, 2016 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on John 14:15-24, titled “Following the Imperfect Jesus" on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
This sermon challenges the idea of placing Jesus on an unreachable pedestal of moral purity, arguing that doing so lets Christians avoid the responsibility of following his example. It explores how Jesus' life, not as a flawless figure but as someone who lived imperfectly and compassionately, offers a model for us to act on God's commandments. The message encourages believers to live out the mercy and love of Jesus through tangible actions rather than mere reverence.
 
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

Reflections on World Communion Sunday | October 26, 2014 | Terry Dougherty, Meg Black, Michael Belcher, and Jess Wade

Members  Terry Dougherty, Meg Black, Michael Belcher, and Jess Wade deliver reflections on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26,  on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost and World Communion Sunday.
 
A brief synopsis:
Reflections on World Communion Sunday highlight the importance of communion in fostering unity and belonging within the Christian community.
World Communion Sunday promotes Christian unity across denominations.
Communion is an act of worship and a means of grace for all believers.
The shared experience of communion connects us as God’s children, regardless of background.
Participation in communion invites hope and nurtures faith in individuals.
Children instinctively recognize the sacredness of communion, illustrating its universal appeal.
Paul emphasizes the significance of the Lord’s Supper in the life of the church.
Communion transcends cultural differences, bringing believers together around a common story.
 
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

The Bridge Which Christ Had Built | September 29, 2024 | Brooke Dooley

The Rev. Brooke Dooley, our Associate Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Genesis 32:24-32, titled “The Bridge Which Christ Had Built" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Jacob's wrestling represents the human condition: grappling with guilt, uncertainty, fear, and the need for blessing. He emerges with a limp, a sign that encounters with God or deep inner conflict leave us changed, marked by our experiences but blessed with new understanding and purpose. Similarly, renowned theologian Jürgen Moltmann, after confronting the horrors of World War II and the guilt of his nation’s actions, found healing and hope in Christ’s grace, ultimately becoming a voice for reconciliation and peace.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

Access Sunday - Psalm 19 | October 8, 2023 | Brooke Dooley

The Rev. Brooke Dooley, our Associate Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Psalm 19: 1-14, titled “Access Sunday - Psalm 19" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Rev. Dooley highlights how traditional narratives about healing can sometimes marginalize disabled individuals, emphasizing the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and community.
They call for a reimagining of religious spaces where disabled people are not only invited but also essential to the expression of God's creation. By referencing various theologians, activists, and personal experiences, Rev. Dooley encourages embracing diversity in all its forms, while also acknowledging the emotional complexities of living with disabilities.
 
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

Confirmation Service | October 16, 2022

Reflecting on 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, we observe our 2022 Confirmation Service.
 
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

Paying Faithful Attention to Foolishness | October 3, 2021 | Dan De Leon

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on 2 Corinthians 11:16-31, titled “Paying Faithful Attention to Foolishness" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Through the story of Desmond Tutu and the young person at the rainbow fair, the message conveys how acts of kindness, even if they appear foolish, have the power to deeply affirm and transform lives. The sermon emphasizes paying faithful attention to what seems foolish at first glance, because within that "foolishness" can lie divine wisdom, compassion, and true gospel living.
 
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

The Value of Believing in Yourself | Dan De Leon | Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2020)

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Mark 8:22-38, titled “The Value of Believing in Yourself" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Following Jesus means embracing sacrifice, servanthood, and sometimes suffering. Even when we struggle to believe in ourselves, God always believes in us. The call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus is a call to live authentically, not in pursuit of worldly success, but in service to one another and in faithful witness to God’s love for all people. The church, as the body of Christ, is meant to reflect that inclusivity and love in action, offering a space where all can believe in themselves and in the transformative power of God’s grace.
 
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

The Power of Persistent Love | Trent Williams | Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2019)

The Rev. Trent Williams, our Executive Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Luke 18:1-8, titled “The Power of Persistent Love" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
While justice and healing don’t always follow our expectations or timelines, persistence in love and community is key. Sometimes, the process of persisting itself — whether through prayer, advocacy, or simply being present — is transformative. Even when outcomes seem uncertain, the act of staying in relationship with each other and with God brings hope and healing.
 
Welcome to an archival episode, as we have recorded sermons that predate our podcast's production! Please enjoy this sermon originally preached in 2019.
 
For more information about our church and our mission, please visit friends-ucc.org

I Fail Every Day | Dan De Leon | Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2017)

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on Philippians 4:1-9, titled “I Fail Every Day" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
The heart of the sermon is about embracing covenantal living, being a people who come back to the table even when it’s hard. Whether it’s the divisions in the early church or the divisions of today, Paul’s message to rejoice is not a superficial happiness but a deep, abiding joy in the transformative work of community, where love triumphs over the idols of the world.
 
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

The Saving of Life Above All Else | Dan De Leon | Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2016)

The Rev. Dr. Dan De Leon, our Senior Pastor, delivers a message reflecting on 1 Timothy 6-19, titled “The Saving of Life Above All Else" on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
 
A brief synopsis:
Rev. Dr. De Leon intertwines the teachings of the New Testament with contemporary social justice issues, particularly racism and the cumulative effect of Black death in America, specifically the recent tragedies of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott.
The message is that the essence of true Christian faith—like the central tenets of Judaism and Islam—prioritizes the saving of life, above all religious and social conventions. This is seen as the real "good news" in contrast to interpretations of scripture that uphold oppressive systems. The emphasis is on solidarity, justice, and love as foundational to a faith that liberates all people.
 
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