"Study War No More"
Peace comes, and we get saved, even, when we love and help one another.
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united church of christ
Explore " united church of christ" with insightful episodes like ""Study War No More"", "First Sunday of Lent Sermon", ""Looking for Love in the Wrong Places"", "Sermon: The Call of Christ to be Woke, with the Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins" and ""When You've Had Enough"" from podcasts like ""A Word from The Park", "A Word from The Park", "A Word from The Park", "Prayers and Ponderings" and "A Word from The Park"" and more!
Episodes (100)
First Sunday of Lent Sermon
Chances are that, like me, you have been at battle with yourself. And breaking the chains of that habit can be the hardest thing we could possibly do. So impossible, even, that we could only pull it off through divine intervention. Because, you know. God intervenes. God will fight that battle for you.
"Looking for Love in the Wrong Places"
You are seeking something that you are not going to find where you’re looking for it. And you are invested in it being there. In the box you’re comfortable with. Your Lenten journey is your chance to change this. To turn the other way. To scale out beyond your comfort zone. Lent is your pivot. It’s time to stop looking in all the wrong places.
Sermon: The Call of Christ to be Woke, with the Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins
The following sermon "The Call of Christ to be Woke" was preached by the Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins at the MLK Day Worship Celebration at Woodland Christian Disciples of Christ in Columbus, Ohio on January 15, 2024. The text for the sermon was Ephesians 5:1-2 and 6-17.
"When You've Had Enough"
No one can know everything that you’re facing. Sometimes there are storms and quakes and fires that only you experience. Or, hear this critical correction: only you AND YOUR GOD experience.
But the promise the Word gave to Elijah is the very same one that God makes to you: Stand up. For the Lord is about to pass by.
The Lord is coming.
"Dreams, Rightly Applied"
We do not get to *pick* what revelations God sends us. It just doesn’t work that way. God is always answering a question in your life. It might not be the question you’re asking. But the question God is answering? It’s the right one to ask.
"In Your Gut"
God is trying to tell us something, all of the time, in every moment of our lives, and fine-tuning our mastery of the intuitive process in connection to the humility of listening is how we faithfully make decisions wisely.
So, is a gift good? Well, is God in it? What does your gut say.
"Look to the Light"
When a gift is real and comes with God’s blessing, God will shine a light on it. But you need to take the time to look for it.
Advent II Sermon
There are many ways in which we prepare for Christmas. But Advent gives us a time to spiritually prepare. Advent means the start of something, an anticipation that something is to come.
"Anointed to Gladness"
You are anointed for goodness, beloved. Give thanks and hold fast to that. The rest? Dust off your feet. Put your shoulders back. Hold your head high. You are God’s anointed, in whom God is well-pleased.
The full text of Pastor Kaji's sermon is available here.
Prayer: Sorting and Sifting, with the Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins
"Lasting"
In my “last” places, I have a tendency to feel sorry for myself. I feel like there’s nothing left to do. Nothing possible. Which gets me stuck.
If. That. Is. You. Don’t be stuck. Be inspired.
Know this and say it to yourself. Again and again:
I can’t be last in everything. There’s something I’m first in.
The full text of Pastor Kaji's sermon is available here.
November 19, 2023 - C2 Worship
On November 19, 2023, C2 Worship includeed some great musical selections. The service begins with a welcome from Drew, followed by three songs: "God is in the House," "Number 40," and "Names." Drew was also led the Passing of the Peace and Community Life. The Scripture reading, Colossians 3:12-17, was done by Kelsey. Rev. Dr. Anna V. Copeland delivered the sermon. This was followed by the post-sermon anthem "Way Maker" and "Prayers for the People," led by Drew. Worship concluded with the song "Because of Your Love" and a benediction by Drew.
"Wild Life"
Beloved. Tell me: What is it YOU plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
The full text of Pastor Kaji's sermon is available here.
"Tricky Tricksters and the Tricks They Play"
The ones who would look past us, cut us off, discount us, put us in impossible positions with no support, talk and plot for our demise behind our backs, do us wrong? They plot and trick and sideline and harm because the want to live outside of their assignment. That is not of God. Because when you live inside your assignment? God WILL provide. If God has called you to it, God will give you the tools to do it. It’s that simple.
The full text of Pastor Kaji's sermon is available here.
"It is Written"
God already knows what is in store for you. God hears you, sees you, but is not anxious for you. Because the beauty of your story, your resurrection, your new day, your new moment of life: it is already written.
"Am I My Brother's Keeper?"
"It is so hard to love a neighbor with whom you are at war. But you are your neighbor’s keeper. You must be. Even at war. Peace cannot be annihilation. Peace is peace. And that must be not just our intention, but our North Star, our guiding light. Leading us to peace is how the God of justice shines forth. Meanwhile: let’s keep our neighbors safe."
The full text of Pastor Kaji's sermon is available here.
"Matthew 25 Christians"
"You are showing up as Matthew 25 Christians. You’re caring for the poor when you send your tithes and offerings to the church as we do the hard work to *end* poverty. You’re caring for the hungry every Saturday in our Community Lunch program. You’re caring for the imprisoned every time you bring in the feminine products for the incarcerated women. You’re caring for the sick with your pastoral care. You’re caring for the immigrant with an immigrant ministry so effective that the most powerful government in the world tried to shut it down." The full text of Pastor Kaji's sermon is available here: http://soundthebells.blogspot.com/2023/10/matthew-25-christians.html
October 8, 2023 - C2 Worship
On October 8, 2023, C2 Worship was great! Drew welcomed everyone and the service kicked off with three songs: "Still Rolling Stones," "Dwell In Your House," and "Every Praise." Drew then led the Passing of the Peace and discussed Community Life. Tommy read passages from Deuteronomy 5:1-3 and 6:4-9. Rev. Dr. Anna V. Copeland delivered the sermon. Following the sermon was the live-streamed installation of the interim ministry team and the anthem "Give Me Faith". Drew offered Prayers for the People. The congregation sang "All the People Said Amen" to close the service, and Drew gave the benediction.
Pondering: The Ligamental Life, Heart to Heart with The Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins
In this episode, we hear the Conference Minister Address from the 2023 Heartland Conference Annual Gathering. The Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins shares about the necessary ligamental life of the church in his heart-to-heart reflection with the Heartland Conference. To view this video or other moments from this year's Annual Gathering, go to our YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@HeartlandConference/streams