BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING

Phillippians 4:4-9 The day after a relationship ending betrayal — the Spirit gifted me a profound mercy that flowed into my shattered heart and mind. I woke with this verse Philippians — “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What shimmered that day 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…

Joy and Peace

Preacher: Nathan Hosler Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 Date: December 18, 2022 It was Saturday morning and still dark. I awoke and looked at my clock. 5:19. Perfect—not too early, not too late. Still a few minutes until my alarm would go off. Headed off to my first race since April 2019. Which was feeling enormously long…

The Peace of God: The God of Peace

Preacher: Nathan Hosler Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 23, Philippians 4:1-9 And the peace of God And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is…

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…

JESUS, MEAT, AND VEGGIES

Deut. 18:15-20; Mark 1:21-28; 1 Cor. 8:1-13 Jennifer Hosler How do we show love? Sometimes, it’s by holding back on the meat. Across the US, traditionally, meat and potatoes or meat and some other starch, are ubiquitous on the table. Many of our folks in this congregation come from places like Missouri or central Pennsylvania—traditionally…

JOY

Psalm 126   Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11   1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Jeff Davidson The third Sunday in Advent Happy Gaudete Sunday! What, you didn’t know this was Gaudete Sunday? Nobody told you? You may even ask, “What is Gaudete Sunday anyway?” Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent. The word “Gaudete” is from the Latin word for…

Reflections by Members of the Congregation

James 4:1-12, Colossians 3:12-17 This is the seventh sermon in our sermon series on the book of James. You can find the audio for this sermon here: https://soundcloud.com/washingtoncitycob/reflections-november-5-2017. *Note* The audio differs from the text. Will Morris This passage has particular resonance with me because it speaks to an on-going, interior argument of sorts that constantly goes…

THE UPSIDE-DOWN or SOWING IN PEACE

James 3:13-18; Mark 9:30-37; Galatians 5:13-26 Jennifer Hosler This is the sixth sermon in our sermon series on the book of James. You can find the audio for this sermon here: https://soundcloud.com/washingtoncitycob/sowing-in-peace-october-29-2017. *Note* The audio differs from the text. For science-fiction and fantasy lovers—or people who just generally swoon over a 1980s visual aesthetic—this weekend was highly…

Hearers and Doers of the Word

James 1:19-27 & Philippians 2:1-13 Micah Bales This is the second sermon in our sermon series on the book of James. You can find the audio for this sermon here: https://soundcloud.com/washingtoncitycob/hearers-and-doers-of-the-word-october-1-2017 . *Note* The audio differs from the text. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for…