Preaching: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

Meet Hagar—an Egyptian slave whose extraordinary encounter with the divine remains one of scripture's most radical stories. While Abraham and Sarah typically dominate the narrative of Genesis, this sermon shifts our focus to the woman they exploited, abused, and ultimately abandoned to die in the wilderness.

Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing guides us through Hagar's remarkable journey from nameless object to the only person in all of scripture who dares to name God and lives. When Hagar bestows upon God the name "El Roi"—the God who sees me—she reveals a profound theological truth: the divine gaze prioritizes those society overlooks. Abandoned twice to die in the desert, Hagar experiences God's intervention when human compassion fails.

This story resonates powerfully today. Hagar represents "the undocumented immigrant, the uninsured single parent, the trans person facing discrimination"—all those pushed to society's margins. Her experience illuminates how patriarchal systems pit marginalized people against each other rather than fostering solidarity. Sarah and Hagar, both victims of patriarchy in different ways, become enemies rather than allies.

The sermon challenges us to recognize how we participate in systems that dehumanize others through our language and actions. When we refuse to acknowledge someone's name, when we label groups with dehumanizing terms, we follow Abraham and Sarah's example rather than God's. But Hagar's story offers hope that divine compassion transcends human-made boundaries of nationality, status, and power.

Whatever wilderness you may find yourself in today, remember that you are seen. El Roi—the God who sees—remains especially attentive to those society forgets. In a world of division and dehumanization, may we develop eyes that see as God sees, recognizing the inherent dignity in every person we encounter.

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Preaching: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

What if everything you thought you knew about the Tower of Babel was wrong? Far from a story about God feeling threatened by human ambition, this ancient narrative reveals something profoundly different about divine concerns—not the height of our towers, but the heart behind them.

The Tower of Babel wasn't condemned because people reached too high, but because they built with the wrong intention: "Let us make a name for ourselves." This self-glorifying motivation stands in stark contrast to the true towers that God blesses—those built for justice, community, and love of neighbor. When humanity united to create vaccines, explore space, advance civil rights, or address climate change, God rejoiced in these ambitious collaborations because they served the common good.

Pentecost offers the counterpoint to Babel's story. Where Babel moved from unity to division, Pentecost transforms division into understanding. The Holy Spirit didn't eliminate difference but created comprehension despite it, suggesting that God's ideal isn't homogeneity but harmony within diversity. As Walter Brueggemann, whose prophetic voice was recently lost to us at age 92, wisely noted: "Perhaps the miracle of Pentecost concerns a new gift of speech. But we should not miss the hint of the text. The newness concerns a fresh capacity to listen."

Today, in our fractured world where families and communities struggle to communicate across differences, we're invited to become Pentecost people—building towers that embrace diversity rather than fear it. The divine architect has provided the blueprint in Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit as our interpreter. What tower might you help build that unites neighbors, helps instead of harms, and bridges the chasms between us? Join us as we explore how God is calling us to construct a world where justice, kindness, mercy, and righteousness reach to the heavens.

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Preaching: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

Walls crumbling. Shackles breaking. Prisoners singing at midnight. This powerful exploration of Acts 16:16-34 reveals how the early Christian movement turned the world upside down – and challenges us to continue that revolutionary work today.

The sermon begins by celebrating our congregation's remarkable unity in establishing an emergency summer shelter for women experiencing homelessness. Through countless volunteer hours, donations, and preparations, we've transformed our commitment to neighborliness from mere words into tangible good news. This mission embodies the gospel in its purest form.

Against this backdrop of community service, we dive into Scripture's account of Paul and Silas imprisoned in Philippi. Despite their chains, they had the audacity to sing praises to God at midnight – so fervently that an earthquake shook open their prison doors. The jailer, terrified and expecting punishment, nearly took his own life before receiving salvation instead. In a stunning reversal, this former oppressor washed the wounds of his prisoners and was baptized with his entire household.

Yet amid this celebration of liberation, a troubling omission emerges: what happened to the unnamed slave girl whose exploitation sparked these events? After Paul freed her from the spirit that made her profitable to her owners, she disappears entirely from the narrative. Her absence challenges us to ask: Who remains invisible in our celebrations? Whose liberation remains incomplete?

True discipleship requires noticing who's missing from our table. We are fed so we can feed others, freed so we can participate in others' liberation. As we break bread together, let's commit to seeking those still in chains – for where they are, there too we will find Christ.

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Preaching: Dylan Lewellyn

Standing at the crossroads of faith and action, this sermon challenges us to examine our unconscious biases against people experiencing homelessness. As Guilford Park prepares to welcome homeless guests, we confront that instinctive reaction—"Pastor, you've lost your mind"—which reveals how deeply society's prejudices have influenced even the most compassionate hearts.

What does someone's housing status have to do with their character? This powerful question cuts through our conditioned thinking. Through a moving story about a Mason who gave money to a homeless man without judgment, we learn a profound lesson: "I will not be judged whether he buys food or liquor. I will be judged because I gave when I was able to." This perspective liberates us from the need to control outcomes and invites us to embrace the simple act of giving when we can.

The sermon weaves together Psalm 109 and Jesus's healing at the Pool of Bethesda to illustrate God's special concern for those who suffer. The psalmist, experiencing scorn and abandonment, finds hope in God who "stands at the right hand of the needy." Similarly, Jesus approaches a man who had been ill for 38 years—not waiting to be sought out, but actively seeking to help. When Jesus tells the man to carry his mat on the Sabbath, he prioritizes human dignity over religious rules, challenging us to reconsider what truly matters in our faith.

Though we cannot perform miracles, we can offer kindness, resources, and presence to those in need. Every smile, every meal shared, every moment of dignity restored creates ripples of healing in our broken world. As our church opens its doors to shelter those without homes, will you join us in extending not just helping hands, but open hearts? Together, we can embody Christ's compassion in tangible ways that transform both our community and ourselves.

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Preaching: Tony De La Rosa

Dreams and visions have the remarkable power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities of faith. When Peter dreamed of a sheet filled with "unclean" animals and heard God declare "what I have made clean, you must not call profane," it revolutionized early Christianity. This pivotal moment expanded the faith beyond its Jewish origins to embrace Gentiles, fundamentally altering Christianity's trajectory and allowing it to become the global religion we know today.

Similarly, when John of Patmos experienced visions during Roman persecution, he glimpsed "a new heaven and a new earth" where God would "wipe away every tear" and make "all things new." These promises sustained early Christians through terrible suffering and ultimately proved prophetic as Christianity outlasted its oppressors. Though imperfectly realized, this vision continues pulling us toward God's promised future.

The Presbyterian tradition particularly embodies this visionary spirit through our commitment to mission. By balancing love of God with love of neighbor, we constantly reimagine how faith communities can meet unmet needs. Our congregation's summer sheltering program represents this commitment in action, addressing homelessness as fundamentally "a failure of community." When we open our doors to those without basic shelter, we restore the essential human need for belonging.

Sometimes divine inspiration comes through unexpected channels—even through innocent mix-ups like confusing a Star Wars-themed youth service with another congregation. But perhaps such "mistakes" contain deeper truths. After all, both our scriptures and our mission efforts offer what the beloved film saga proclaims: a new hope. By creating community for those who have lost theirs, wiping away tears, and working toward God's vision of renewal, we participate in making all things new. Will you join us in this mission to refresh thirsty souls?

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Preaching: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

Who is your Tabitha? Who has shown you God's love in tangible, transformative ways? This question lies at the heart of our exploration of Acts 9:36-43, where we meet one of the few women explicitly called a "disciple" in scripture.

Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) embodied discipleship through her good works and acts of charity. When she died, the widows of Joppa gathered to mourn her, presenting the tunics and garments she had lovingly made for them. These weren't just pieces of clothing—they were evidence of how God's love flowed through her hands into their lives. This powerful image challenges us to consider what artifacts or memories would testify to the spiritual nurture we've received from others.

The miracle of Tabitha's resurrection parallels Jesus raising Jairus's daughter, with Peter now stepping into the role of Christ's representative. The similar commands—"Talitha kum" from Jesus and "Tabitha, get up" from Peter—highlight how disciples become vessels for Christ's resurrection power. But this miracle wasn't just for Tabitha; it strengthened the faith of an entire community.

Each of us has been shaped by our own "Tabithas"—mentors who loved us into being the disciples we are today. For some, it's a cherished Psalter from a seminary organist who taught us about God's love. For others, it's a quilt made by family members celebrating decades of shared life. Whatever form it takes, these tokens remind us of Christ's presence in human relationships.

Now it's our turn to be Tabitha for others—preparing meals for the sick, creating prayer shawls, welcoming the marginalized, and restoring hope where it seems lost. How will you embody the love of the Good Shepherd in your acts of service today?

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Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

The charcoal fire crackles as Jesus prepares breakfast on the shoreline. Peter, still dripping from his impulsive swim to shore, sits uncomfortably awaiting judgment for his three denials. But instead of condemnation, Jesus offers reconciliation through a simple meal and three profound questions: "Do you love me?" With each affirmative answer, Jesus commissions Peter with action verbs that define discipleship across millennia: Feed. Tend. Follow.

This powerful narrative from John 21:1-19 reveals how Jesus restores broken relationships through grace rather than shame. The symmetry is striking - three denials matched by three questions, followed by three commissions. Through this exchange, Jesus transforms Peter's failure into a foundation for ministry, culminating in the sobering reminder that true discipleship often leads where we "do not wish to go." The call to follow requires relinquishing control and embracing discomfort.

Fast forward to today, where these ancient commands find modern expression in a congregation's decision to welcome homeless men into their church building for temporary shelter. What does it mean to truly "feed my sheep" in a world of systemic poverty? How might "tend my flock" look when applied to neighbors we typically keep at a distance? This sermon explores how one church's commitment to Matthew 25 principles—building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty—manifests in practical hospitality.

The message challenges us to move beyond comfortable, theoretical neighborliness toward the messy, intricate work of proximity and presence. Through providing meals, washing linens, donating supplies, and offering prayers, communities can embody Peter's commission. As we consider how Christ might be appearing on our own shorelines, asking "Do you love me?" we're reminded that our answer must extend beyond words into tangible acts of service. Will you join in feeding, tending, and following?

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Faith and doubt often walk hand in hand on our spiritual journeys. The story of Thomas—forever labeled "Doubting Thomas"—offers profound insights into this universal experience.

When Jesus appears to his disciples after the resurrection, Thomas stands apart, refusing to believe without tangible evidence. "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." His skepticism stems not from stubbornness but from the depth of his grief and disillusionment after witnessing his teacher's brutal death.

What follows is a remarkable encounter with the divine. Jesus returns specifically for Thomas, offering his wounds as proof and speaking directly to his doubt. Thomas's response—"My Lord and my God!"—becomes one of scripture's most powerful declarations of faith. Yet Jesus adds something crucial: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." This blessing extends across time to all who embrace faith without physical evidence.

Through this dramatic retelling, we discover that doubt isn't the enemy of faith but often the pathway to deeper conviction. As one character reflects, "If it wasn't for doubt, Thomas, how will we ever know what we do believe?" We also witness the vital role community plays in nurturing belief, as Thomas acknowledges how others' testimonies helped strengthen his own faith.

The story concludes with the beautiful image of believers as "a living vine of witnesses" stretching across generations, connecting modern Christians to those who physically encountered the risen Christ. It's an invitation to recognize our place in this unbroken chain of testimony that has sustained faith for two thousand years.

Subscribe to explore more biblical stories that illuminate our contemporary spiritual journeys and challenge us to grow in both honest questioning and authentic belief.

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