Rev. Zach

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 ; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 ; Matthew 5:21-37 I want to begin by talking to those who are worshiping online. I’m thankful that you are with us today as an active and dynamic part of this worshiping community. I don’t know what you are going through – what brings you joy or burdens your soul – or why you need to be with us online instead of in person. Some of you live in different states. Some of you just aren’t able to “people” today, and that’s ok. You matter to us. You matter to God. Because you matter to God, you matter to us; and God is doing good things through us! Now, for those who are in the sanctuary today, I want you to know the same. In fact, I want you to tell someone near you that they matter to God. Make sure everyone knows it. If you’re online you are welcome to tell someone else the same. They don’t even have to be worshiping with us right now. Just text somebody! Now I want all y’all, no matter where you are, to repeat after me. I matter to God. You matt...

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 This week, just like every week, I have prayed and studied and reflected and discussed the scriptures with colleagues, yet this week, unlike most other weeks, I have found it terribly difficult to figure out what I might say about these particular passages of scripture. It’s not that they are so very difficult (although they actually are). It’s that I’m still reeling from the feedback that I received from last week’s sermon. Last week I received more feedback than I think I ever have in 18 years of ordained ministry. It ranged from, “I’ve been waiting for a message like that!” to “I don’t agree with your politics, but I can still love you!” which was followed by a massive hug. Later in the week, I heard more disagreement, but it wasn’t necessarily over politics. Truth be told, I didn’t actually think the things I said were political, so much as they were Biblical and theological reflections on the issues of the day. T...