Sermons
Waiting For Pentecost
May 28, 2017 | Rev Lorne Bostwick
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According to scripture Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days after the resurrection and reminding them that when he ascended to the God they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. At the ascension the disciples are filled with anticipation but they could not imagine what the future would bring. They had to wait for Pentecost! We find ourselves waiting too. Yet as the disciples we wait with active anticipation not passive sloth. We are not at a complete loss during this waiting. We have seen how God behaves in Jesus Christ and we expect that is how God will work in the church. Part of preparing to be the church requires we adjust our attitudes. This week would have been the 100th birthday of President John F. Kennedy. He prepared America for the greatest season of service this country has ever known with the words of his inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you. Ask what you can do for your country." Jesus asks us to prepare for the coming of the Spirit in the same way. Look for the power of the Spirit to find ways to serve neighbor before self.
The New Areopagus
May 21, 2017 | Lorne Bostwick, Rev Lorne Bostwick
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When the Apostle Paul reached Athens he explored the city, preached in the Synagogue, and then in the marketplace. He carefully explored the objects of their religious symbols and concluded that they were very sincere in their quest for the divine. Like Socrates, Paul was accused by some of proclaiming foreign deities. Socrates lost his life after loosing his arguments at the Areopagus. Paul left alive with some philosophers begging to "hear him again about this." We face a new Areopagus today. There are many in our world who are spiritual but not religious. They seek an unknown god and if we care deeply about what matters to them we can find ways to speak the good news in meaningful ways.
AKA Living Stones
May 14, 2017 | Rev. Jennifer Martin
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We are called living stones. Stones can be used to build up and they can be used to tear down and hurt others. Stones can be thrown and they can build bridges. They were also used to guide the way. Travelers built Carin's to mark a path or the best way through. These piles of stone are also meant to mark a special place. We see them in the middle of the Willamette when we cross the walking bridges. This morning's sermon explores what it means to be the living stones mentioned in the text this morning.
Beginnings
May 7, 2017 | Lorne Bostwick
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On Anniversary Sunday we look at the story of the beginning of the church and look back at the beginnings and heritage of Central Presbyterian Church. The same Spirit which animated the life of the early church leads us to live the Gospel in ways that are recognizable in the story of the early church.