Sermon Texts

a sermon preached by Natasha Taylor on October 13, 2024

Amos has shared some harsh words from God to the people of the Northern Kingdom - “Seek the Lord and live, or the Lord will break out against the house of Joseph like fire.”  Throughout the whole book, Amos shares messages of anger and frustration in response to the ways that the wealthy in the Northern Kingdom, which included descendants of Joseph, were treating the poor.  Clearly, in the generations since Joseph showed mercy to his brothers, who had sold him into slavery, providing food and a home for them in the midst of a great famine, his descendants have decided to live differently. 

Scholars tell us that this was a time of great prosperity in the Northern Kingdom - well, for the wealthy that is.  They had exploited poorer landowners so that they could obtain larger farms and vineyards, and built large homes for their pleasure and ease.  The wealthy then collected levies from the former landowners, who were now working these large farms and vineyards, so that the wealthy could sustain their lavish lifestyles. 

This description doesn’t sound that foreign to us, does it?  There have always been, and will likely always be, some people who are more concerned about how much they have and the ease of their own life, more than they are concerned with those around them.  And so perhaps we hear Amos’s prophecy of judgment with some relief because those who have exploited others will get what they deserve - judgment and destruction.

The other message that Amos has been sent to share is that God is angry with their superficial worship.  Later in chapter 5 are verses you might have heard before - “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them, and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon.  Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps” (v21-23).  The people have continued to fulfill - in action at least - the prescribed festivals and worship practices, but God knows their hearts, and we have seen their actions.  There is much recorded in the Hebrew Bible about how the Israelites were to worship God, how they were to maintain their holiness, but Amos is making it clear that God cares more about their intention in worship than whether or not they have kept the traditions. 

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A sermon preached by Kate Fiedler, September 15 2024

Today, it is most fitting for the choir to lift their voices and sing today’s scripture—Psalm 19—before it is read and proclaimed from the pulpit.  This psalm was written for music; and Bach, Handel, and Haydnjoined Beethoven in putting Psalm 19 to musical settings of their own.[1]  As I read this psalm, I invite you follow along in your Bible, or you may want to close your eyes to listen closely. Beloved, listen for God’s holy word for God’s holy people.

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
   and the firmament proclaims [God’s] handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
   and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
   their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
   and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
   and its circuit to the end of them;
   and nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
   reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
   making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
   enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
   enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
   and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
   even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
   and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
   Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
   do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
   and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
   be acceptable to you,
   O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

[1] Eric Mathis, “Commentary on Psalm 19,” Working Preacher. January 24, 2016. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-after-epiphany-3/commentary-on-psalm-19-6

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler, August 4, 2024

This past week, I have enjoyed watching the Olympics unfold.  The sheer joy and excitement experienced by the athletes and felt by the crowds have been a needed respite from my doom scrolling and too much reading about politics. There are plenty of powerful stories about struggle and resilience to inspire me, as I learn more about the athletes and the journey that led them to this moment. However, this year, more than I recall from previous years, I am impressed by the sportsmanship and support among the athletes. The competition is still fierce, and yet, I have observed a high level of encouragement and congratulations among the athletes from different nations. Maybe you’ve seen such support too. In the long embrace between the women who competed in the mountain bike race at the finish line[1]. Or the kind Moroccan soccer player who joins the crying American sitting on the field and walks him off with an arm around his shoulders[2]. Or the selfie taken by table tennis medalists from North and South Korea, with China’s team joining in, too[3]. People are happy to be there. Athletes from around the world are showing one another respect. Such feelings of delight and community do not negate the tensions and current violence around the world. But these Olympic games give us a glimmer of hope, a vision of what a global community can be—without violence or division. There is a palpable sense of joy and community reminding us of what is possible. Whether or not you are excited about the new dance event called breaking, or you have a favorite athlete you are cheering for, or if you have never watched a single summer Olympic event, we can all give thanks for moments of kindness and shared joy. Dear saints of Second, we can agree that our world, God’s world, needs more hugs and high fives right now.

[1] https://fitisafeministissue.com/2024/07/31/the-biggest-difference-between-the-womens-and-mens-olympic-mountain-bike-race-finishes-hugging/

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/02/usmnt-crash-out-of-olympics-with-heavy-quarter-final-defeat-to-morocco

[3] https://www.npr.org/2024/07/31/nx-s1-5058506/olympics-north-south-korea-table-tennis

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler, July 7, 2024

The second scripture reading is about storms and fear, coming at a stormy, fearful time. This story concludes the fourth chapter of the gospel of Mark. Jesus has spent the day teaching, beginning with the parable of the sower, then teaching the crowds the parables of the lamp under a basket, the scattered seed, and the mustard seed. Jesus is tired out from the day, and so he and the disciples head out to cross the sea of Galilee, heading toward Gentile territory. Listen to this familiar story, starting with verse thirty-five.

35 On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

   This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Can you sense the fear pulsing through this story?  The wind picks up, and water starts to fill the boat, and the disciples are fearful they may not make it across the sea.

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler, June 2, 2024

Names matter. Our names connect us with our families. Our nicknames are often used with affection by our loved ones. When we meet someone for the first time, we ask right away, “What’s your name?” I was reminded just how important names are when I adopted my first dog, shortly after moving to Richmond in September of 2020. I looked forward to having puppy companion for decades, so I was thrilled when it all worked out. But there was one hitch. The dog I adopted was named Ginger by her first owner. In the early weeks of joining the staff here at Second Pres, we were still sheltering at home, and spending most of our time together on Zoom. I knew it would get confusing at best, and quite possibly troubling for me to attempt to train and teach a puppy who shared a name with two colleagues! With all respect for Ginger Hudson and Ginger Evans, I decided that my dog would be named Scout in my house. Scout has never seemed confused, and I never had a Zoom meeting issue in communicating with my colleagues or my dog. Names make a difference, and today I propose that we all share a common name: children of God.

We will explore our calling as children of God as we begin a summer sermon series titled, Words for Life. Fred is the catalyst and creator for this series, inviting us to consider how we find new life and meaning in our scriptures. Today, I chose to begin with two favorite passages, that point to who and whose we are.

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler, May 12, 2024

During the springtime of flowers and blossoms, I am struck by a humble truth:  I have a tendency to kill houseplants.  It’s unfortunate.  Friends have given me lovely potted plants over and over, and try as I might, I can’t seem to keep them green and growing.  I am not going to ask anyone here to raise their hand if they have ever let a houseplant die, but let’s just assume that I am not alone in my plight. Now, there are a number of reasons why people have difficulties keeping houseplants alive—from lack of sunlight, temperature fluctuations, poor drainage, and pests—but the number one reason why houseplants die is overwatering[1].  When a plant is overwatered, the roots are flooded and lose touch with the soil, and that prevents the roots from getting enough oxygen. When the roots lack oxygen, they decay and die[2]. I’m learning that it is better to let a plant’s soil grow dry for a day or more instead of keeping the soil too wet.  Plants need the right balance of good soil, sunlight, and the right amount of watering in order to thrive and flower.

 

Jesus understood the importance of healthy roots in maintaining a healthy faith. As he prepared his disciples for his passion and death, Jesus offered the metaphor of the vine and branches, with God as the master gardener, to help the disciples understand how they could stay faithful.  Jesus knew that in order to stay strong after his death and ascension to God, the disciples needed to stay connected to him.

[1] “Why are my houseplants dying?” Foliaire.  https://foliaire.com/why-are-my-house-plants-dying/

[2] Ibid.

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler, April 28, 2024

I think the Holy Spirit is likely the least understood person of the Trinity. The Spirit is the odd person out, so to speak. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit each operate in scripture in mysterious ways. Yet, the Holy Spirit seems the most ethereal and mystifying figure of the three. John Calvin described the Holy Spirit as the fountain of life.[1] C.S. Lewis talks about the Holy Spirit in his book, Mere Christianity, saying:

            “If you think of the Father as something ‘out there’, in front of you, and of the Son as someone standing at your side, helping you to pray, trying to turn you into another [child of God], then you have to think of the third Person as something inside you, or behind you.”[2]

Author Rachel Held Evans described the Spirit like “breath, fire, a seal—or emblem bearing the family crest, wind, a bird, and a womb, from which the living are born again.”[3]  However you describe or understand the Holy Spirit in your own faith, today the Spirit plays a key role as a main character in our New Testament passage. 

[1] Wesley Bentley, “Calvin and the Holy Spirit as fons vitae.” December 31, 2008. Church History Society of Southern Africa. https://core.ac.uk/outputs/43167508?source=oai

[2] Sam Schuldheisz, “Pentecost with C.S. Lewis.” May 6, 2023.  https://www.1517.org/articles/pentecost-with-cs-lewis

[3] “Breath, Fire, Wind, Womb: A Reflection on the Holy Spirit.” Rachel Held Evans. May 31, 2017. https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/spirit-pentecost-searching-for-sunday

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler, December 10, 2023

Prophets fascinate me. Right out of seminary, I taught at an Episcopal school in Charlotte, and when introducing the Old Testament prophets to the fourth graders, I encouraged my students to think about the problems of the world they would address if they were God’s prophet today. I worked with their interest in superheroes, and we imagined what it would be like to be God’s Justice League. The fourth graders were quick to imagine their superpowers: ending homelessness by building homes around the world so everyone had a safe place to live, stopping hunger by instantly creating enough food for everyone to eat, or being a Peace Prophet, who could stop all fighting—between siblings and countries. As a brand-new teacher, I was figuring out how to make God’s prophets from long ago matter to my students.

I still believe there are prophets in our midst today, proclaiming messages of justice and peace and confronting the powerful on behalf of the voiceless. Mary Jane read from the prophet Isaiah, lifting up words of comfort and challenge to God’s people while they were living away from their homes. I bet I’m not the only one seeking a word of comfort and compassion from God these days. Fred lifted up several reasons why many of us are weary in his sermon last week…

Today our scriptures offer the message of another prophet from the New Testament. The baby born to Elizabeth and Zechariah from last week’s Luke passage is all grown up. We find John living out in the wilderness, echoing Isaiah, and setting the stage for the ministry of Jesus.

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a sermon by Kate Fiedler on October 15, 2023

What is there to say after the week we witnessed?  How should a person of faith respond to so much devastation, suffering, death, and images of countless lives and communities destroyed?  What does one say when words seem so insignificant?

I considered the Quaker worship style more than once, to sit in silence together with you who are gathered downtown and with you who are watching online. To create space for the grief and rawness of emotions.

To be together in silence, in prayer, in sorrow, in reverence, and maybe even in faith.

And then I turned to the scriptures, back to the living Word that does not and will not let me go.  Today’s scripture passages are two texts chosen straight from the Common Lectionary selected decades ago for today.  A psalm and an epistle. A psalm that Emerson read and is familiar to him in English, as I learned his church in Guatemala City uses the Twenty-Third Psalm to teach English to the children who fill their space after school. A psalm that is a familiar favorite to many, scriptural comfort food I like to call it, like your grandmother’s famous mac and cheese casserole. A psalm that is often read at funerals and is frequently posted in church school classrooms. A psalm that describes the peace of God, with green pastures and still waters, with a cup that overflows, even in the presence of enemies. A psalm that closes with the promise that you and I will dwell with God, forever. A psalm that includes “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  A psalm that names fear and evil, and yet begins and ends with descriptions and images of God’s peace.

How could I stay silent when my heart cried out for such peace this week?

I’m sure you were seeking peace too.

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