Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 139:1-14 How closely does God care for us? Is God concerned with the intimate details of our lives, or just with some broader, overarching plan of redemption? Christians have varied in terms of how they understand God’s work in history and in daily human affairs. Sometimes, I have…
Category: Jennifer Hosler
Easter in a Pandemic
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: John 20:1-18 It’s intense, the pressure of preaching an Easter sermon during a global pandemic.How can I have the right words to say,to point us to the divine solidarity of Jesus entering with us in our suffering,to the existential hope of Jesus triumphing over betrayal, torture, and death,to the future that…
Even the Prophet Doubted
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Luke 1:46b-55; Matthew 11:2-11 Doubt, loss, pain, darkness… sounds like Christmas-time? Unlike our cultural displays of perpetual holiday cheer, our four weeks of Advent scriptures allow for a fuller gamut of Christmas-time emotions: pain, doubt, and loss come alongside themes of peace, hope, love, and joy. This 3rd…
When Jesus is not a Peacemaker
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Luke 12:49-56 At Washington City Church of the Brethren, we understand the ministry of peacemaking as an important, integral part of Jesus’ gospel. The teaching and actions of Jesus speak in Scripture to God’s peace and reconciliation: they lift up the poor and marginalized, they call for love of enemies, and…
Oddities of the Holy Spirit
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Acts 16:9-15; John 14:23-29 At times, I am reminded that following Jesus is a bit strange. I’m trained in scientific methods as a community psychologist and I’m working to develop specific hypotheses for my dissertation. My research will be descriptive – describing what exists in the world – but it will…
Jesus and the Deeds of Power
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Luke 19:28-40 I like Palm Sunday, because I like waving palms. Tactile worship is a lot of fun and we should probably figure out more ways to include props in worship. But Palm Sunday is about more than just fun worship props. Palm Sunday is important, not just because it marks…
(Embodying Hope) A baby, a girl, a body
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-17, Luke 1:36-38, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, 1 Timothy 4:12 You probably recognize our texts in Isaiah and Luke as scriptures we read in Advent, but they are also from a church feast day held on March 25th, called the Feast of the Annunciation. Hands up if you typically celebrate the…
Yay Trees!
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Luke 21:25-36; Jeremiah 33:14-16 This week, we celebrated Ayuba turning six months old. We’re often asked how parenthood is treating us. My response has always been, “Delightful and exhausting.” It’s getting a little less exhausting and always more delightful, especially as we see his curiosity grow and interests develop. We’ve been…
Ecumenism and Interfaith
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture Readings: Psalm 133; Ephesians 4:1-6; Luke 9:46-56; Romans 12:9-21 Mini-Sermon 1: What does it mean to live together as the body of Christ? (Psalm 133; Ephesians 4:1-6) Ice cream comes in many flavors. My favorites include lavender honey, caramel pecan praline, cookies and cream, and a wonderful one called Double Dunker…
More Than We Can Ask or Imagine (or, There Will Be Leftovers)
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; John 6:1-15; Ephesians 3:14-21 I ate a lot of leftovers this past week, while Nate was away at National Youth Conference. These leftovers were not, however, a sign of desperation or scarcity; they were a sign of abundant love. I had three types of leftovers. The first…
