At the foot of Mount Sinai, the people Israel saw the model of our relationships with one another, based on mutual love and obligation. In this time, our mutual obligation…
Like with the Israelites in the desert, sometimes we need to recognize Manna from heaven and just say, "thanks."
We are in the midst of a worsening pandemic. On this All Saints' Day, we recall that Joseph asked that his bones be transported back to Canaan in the Exodus,…
The final escape from Egypt by the Israelites came at a terrible cost. The scripture tells us that the cost is not what should be celebrated, but the escape. Every…
Moses can't lead alone; neither can Aaron lead alone. Together, always, we can do and proclaim God's love.
Shiphrah and Puah's names were passed down through history because, in the face of Pharoah's terrible and unpredictable anger, they found a way to nonetheless save the children they were…
The Ten Commandments are often read without context. What did they mean to a people finding the opportunity for self-governance for the first time? One is the message that all…
When we read the Bible informed by archaeology, we find support, illustration, contradiction, and absence. Sometimes, we peel back the layers and find ways stories were used to inspire peoples…
The Open and Affirming process is the UCC's way of asking hard questions about what it means to be an LGBTQ person in Ankeny UCC, so that we have answers…
Moses hears God's call, and God gives the power of his name to Moses for change. When Moses said he couldn't speak, God sent his brother Aaron to speak for…
Why do we try to use gender-neutral language to describe God? To avoid creating an idol out of language. note: there was a slip during the sermon. The 4-letter account…
Moses communes with God, and is able to focus when God and the people lose track of the reasons why they are where they are. Why are we where we…
When were the moments God acted with power in your life?
Last week, we started our stories with the Story of Me. Where do we come from. This year, we continue with the great definition of the Story of Us that…
The Bible doesn't speak for itself. As long ago as in Exodus, we see the interpretation of God's word. And then in Hebrews, we see an interpretation of the sermon…
What prepares you for worship? What can build a sense of anticipation? Why do we open with this thing called a Call to Worship? And what does all that have…
The Israelite people flee into Egypt to escape famine. After years, the Egyptians start to fear the mass of immigrants, as happens throughout time. Moses, after escaping the order to kill…
