Abide

Pastor Nate Hosler, Phd Acts 8:26-40 John 15:1-8,1 John 4:7-21 (scripture texts at the bottom) A surprise meeting on a desert road. When I think of a wilderness road, I think of the road from Yola to Mubi. Going from central Adamawa state to the northern part of the state is a four-hour drive through…

Bisan, Poppies, Bluebells, and the Resurrection: Wildflowers along the Path

Preacher: Rev Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: April 7, 2024 Scripture: Luke 24:13-35; Romans 8:18-25 We hike almost every Saturday. Since the beginning of the pandemic, most of our Saturday hikes have been along the Potomac Heritage Trail, a footpath managed by the National Park Service along the Potomac River. There were many times during the…

Death Swallowed up: Easter

Preacher: Pastor Nathan Hosler, PhD Date: March 31, 2024 Scripture: John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 25:6-9 February 14th, the beginning of Lent, feels like a long time ago. Lent is the time often designated for preparation for this past week. If, however, you were like me, you probably lost sight of this at times over…

Hosanna – Save Us!

Preacher: Rev. Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: March 17, 2024 It was desolate and lonely. A few chirping birds. Some wild mustard growing along the edge of a fence. Numerous CCTV security cameras peering down at me. Just three weeks ago, I hiked up and then walked down the Mount of Olives and made my way to…

The Risk of Following Jesus

Preacher: Rev. Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: February 25, 2024 Scripture: Mark 8:27-38 The past two weeks, I was part of a multifaith action called the Pilgrimage for Peace. It was led and cosponsored by Faith for Black Lives, Rabbis for Ceasefire, CAIR Philadelphia, the National Council of Churches, Hindus for Ceasefire, and many other congregations or…

Of Service and the Border: The Gospel call to action and proclamation

Preacher: Pastor Nathan Hosler, PhD Date: February 4, 2024 Scripture: Mark 1:21-39, Isaiah 40:21-31 We gathered at the border. Tall, slated fence at our backs. Beyond that a dirt road flanked by razor wire. In the razor wire, clothing. Pulled from people struggling across. And beyond that, the Rio Grande. We gathered to pray, recount stories,…

Healing Compassion

Preacher: Julia Baker Date: January 28, 2024 Scripture: Mark 1:21-28 I have had a keen interest in healing for a long time. This has not merely been an intellectual pursuit, but has risen from a place of raw survival. Maybe some you can relate also, maybe you have cried out to God, a convulsion from…

Joy and Weeping (Epiphany)

Preacher: Rev. Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: January 7, 2024; Epiphany Sunday Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18 If you’d like to watch a video of this sermon, you can find it here. This weekend is a weekend of milestones and markers, some joyful and many somber. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated today, as our Eastern Christian siblings in Christ observe…

Voices that We Do Not Expect

Preacher: Pastor Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: December 10, 2023 Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Luke 1:39-55   I learned a new word recently: muzak. I was reading a Bethany Theological Seminary update email with a reflection by President Jeff Carter that included this word, discussing the saturation of stores with Christmas background music during this season. Momentarily puzzled, I…

Who You Are and Whose You Are

Preacher: Pastor Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: November 19, 2023 Scripture: I Thessalonians 5:1-28 May the Words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14 Preaching is a curious thing. Preaching is more than public speaking. Not only is there…