Worship with Hope, Grow with Love,
and Serve with a Passion for Justice.

Sermons Archive

lent graphic

The Lens of Lent: Re-Visioning

You can watch the entire service here. The Lens of Lent sermon series continues with Dr. Leigh Bond inviting us into the practice of re-visioning our world, community and one another. Based upon John 9:1-12 (13-41) What does the call to be a re-visionist look like in the midst of a global pandemic? What does…

Insight graphic

The Lens of Lent – Insight

This week we continue with our Lenten sermon series “The Lens of Lent” with the story of the woman at the well found in John 4:5-19. The woman is female, nameless, a Samaritan (generally despised by Jews), and may be despised by her neighbors because of their perceptions of her past. She comes to Jesus…

The Lens of Lent: Oversight

The theme for the upcoming messages is “The Lens of Lent.” What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Lent?” Many of us think about “giving something up”—like chocolate or an unhealthy habit. I have also encouraged people to “take something on”—daily devotional time, a study, a renewed commitment to prayer, or new outreach efforts. When we look at our…

Eyes to See the Presence of God

This weekend we will conclude our “Eyes to See” sermon series. We have been thinking about pivotal passages in the Gospel of Matthew. These texts have challenged us to see things differently, to recognize temptation, to accept God’s invitations, to be aware of our blessings, to see the light, and to look for ways to take the “high road” as people of…

Higher Road graphic

Eyes to See the Higher Road

As we continue to think about the theme of “Eyes to See”, We look to God for guidance and directions for discipleship. Jesus’ words in this week’s portion of the Sermon on the Mount are some of the most challenging we will ever hear. He outlines an alternative, radical way of being and behaving. Some…

Eyes to See God’s Invitation

This week we continue our Eyes to See series with a sermon from guest preacher Rev. Erin Wathen. Erin is the Associate Director for Marketing and Communications at Week of Compassion. In her sermon, Rev. Wathen discusses the work of Week of Compassion and having Eyes to See God’s invitation to all of us.

Eyes to See Things Differently logo

Eyes To See Things Differently

We begin the season of Epiphany with a new sermon series titled “Eyes to See.” The stories that are usually associated with the season are the discovery of the Christ-child by the magi and the baptism of Jesus. The wise men followed the light of the star and saw Jesus for the first time. The…

Happy New You 2020

Happy New You!

Happy New Year! As the new year begins many folks make resolutions to transform themselves and their lives. Others are a bit more cynical about making resolutions feeling they don’t last and really don’t make much difference. In this sermon, Dr. Bond examines John 1:1-13. In the text, John proclaims Jesus was God’s message to…

Sing Love!

This weekend’s lesson begins with the words, “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.” But Matthew could have easily replaced the word “birth” with “adoption” and the story would have been no less miraculous. It is amazing that Joseph treated Jesus as a son, although he was not his biological…

Sing Joy

Sing Joy!

This week, Dr. Leigh Bond turns our focus from Peace to Joy as we enter into the third week of Advent. Looking at Isaiah 35:1-10, Dr. Bond asks if there is a difference between happiness and joy and how God shows joy to the world?

We Are Beargrass

We Are Beargrass: Stewards of Grace

We are in the midst of our annual stewardship education emphasis. Each year we intentionally devote some extra time to thinking about this important spiritual discipline. We are challenged to give prayerful and careful consideration to the ways we will support the mission and ministry in the year to come with our time, talent, and…

We Are Beargrass

We Are Beargrass: Stewards of Hope

Although stewardship is a daily matter, we devote some time each year for a more focused emphasis on stewardship education. We are called to give prayerful and careful consideration to the ways we will support the mission and ministry with our time, talent, and resources. Christian stewardship is the faithful management of all that God…

All Saints’ Day

All Saints Day is a time in which we remember and honor those in our church family who have gone on to be with God in this last year. All services provide a time to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Our scripture is from the letter to the Hebrews in which…

Lost and Found Sermon Series

Lost But Finding Gratitude

When Dr. Leigh Bond lost his voice early last week, the other ministers on staff went into action ensuring Leigh got plenty of time to rest his voice and recover. The result was something we can ALL be thankful for – a three for one – 3 ministers for One sermon. The approach may be…

Lost and Found Series

Lost But Finding Our Faith

“Increase our faith!” Have you ever prayed that prayer? I suspect that many of us have—but Jesus’ response is rather peculiar. Jesus says that the size of your faith doesn’t matter—your problem is not a lack of faith. It only takes a mustard-seed sized faith to uproot a tree and plant it in the sea.…

Lost and Found Series

Lost But Finding Our Priorities

This week we continue the series called “Lost and Found,” which will run through the end of October. We are thinking about what a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life and community look like. We will make the transition from the powerful parables in Luke 15 to the first story in Luke 16. As always, I encourage you…

Lost and Found Series

Lost But Finding…Our Way Home

We are currently in a sermon series called “Lost and Found,” which will run through the end of October. In this series, we focus on stories from Luke 15-17 and continue to think about what a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life looks like. This week’s text is the third of three “lost-and-found” parables in Luke 15. Luke…

Children’s Sabbath 2019

Each year we at Beargrass have a special Children’s Sabbath in which the children of our church lead us in worship. It is a wonderful reminder that children are not the future of the church – but an important part of the church right here and right now. This year, Rev. Steven Straub, Children’s Minister…

Lost and Found Series

Lost and Found

It is still the season of Pentecost—so we are still celebrating God’s gift of the Spirit to the Church! We have wrapped up the “Living it UP” series. I will start up a new one this weekend called “Lost and Found,” which will run through the end of October. We will focus on stories from…

Living it UP!

On Being Puffed Up

This weekend we continue the series called “Living It Up,” which is focusing on what a Spirit-led life looks like. We are reflecting on passages from the Gospel of Luke. So far, we have thought about “Freshening Up,” “Giving It Up,” and not getting “Hung Up.” The next message will be “On Being Puffed Up.”…

Living it UP!

Don’t Get Hung UP

This weekend as we gather during the season of Pentecost, we will continue the series called “Living It Up,” which is focusing on what a Spirit-led life looks like. We are reflecting on several passages from the Gospel of Luke. So far, we have thought about “Freshening Up” and “Giving It Up.” The next message…