Ankeny UCC

A Welcoming Church Family Exploring Progressive Christian Theology

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A Welcoming Church Family Exploring Progressive Christian Theology
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Especially Peter

March 27, 2016
Sometimes, the news that the Good News is for all of us is not enough, something the Angel in Mark's Gospel understood. In those times, the message people need is…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 16:1-8
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Kindness Cutting Through

March 20, 2016
Jesus's welcoming of burial rites at the expense of alms gets at the multiple aspects of church mission. It is our duty to work against oppression every day, and it…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 14:1-9
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Keeping Alert When Distractions Abound

March 13, 2016
The "little apocalypse" of Mark offers a word of hope to people facing the reality of destruction and violence. In his words of expectation, he reminds us that God has…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 13:24-37
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Making Room

March 6, 2016
Jesus, standing in a long tradition, take the opportunity to show us the opportunities to learn what the commandments mean by looking at the world around us.
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 12: 28-44
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Whose Vineyard?

February 28, 2016
The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we stand for sometimes depend greatly on our point of view. What happens when the perspective changes? Note: an…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 12:1-12
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

What you Can Control

February 21, 2016
Jesus warns us not to mistake excitement for glory, nor good feelings for Good News, and to be careful what we wish for.
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 10:32-52
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Transformers: Camelbots

February 14, 2016
Why is it harder for the wealthy to gain eternal life than for a camel to go through the head of the needle? Our comfort fools us into thinking that…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 10:17-31
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Well, That’s Different

February 7, 2016
In the transfiguration, our view of Jesus, and of God, must change. What are those moments in your life that change how to see the other people in your lives?
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 8:27-9:8
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Shake It Off

January 31, 2016
Why is it that the disciples were only ready to go out and spread the word after Jesus was unable to perform acts of power in his hometown? Does his…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 6:1-29
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

And Jesus Said, “Get Her a Cheeseburger!”

January 24, 2016
Sometimes, journeying with Jesus means listening, watching, and hearing how to respond to the need that is left even after healing.
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 5:21-43
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

No Matter Where it May Fall

January 17, 2016
As Jesus's ministry grows, he finds himself needing to lead his disciples in their ministries. In the parable of the sower, he shows them that they are called to spread…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 5:21-43
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Pick Up Your Bed and Walk

January 10, 2016
What if Jesus came not only to heal, but to remind us that suffering and purity are not connected? What does it look like if we understand that maybe someone's…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 2:1-12
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Now What?

December 27, 2015
On the Sunday after Christmas, the most dedicated parishioners are rewarded with three different reactions to the news of Jesus's revelation and invited to join in our reactions, too.
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Mark 1:1-20
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

The Return of the Jews

December 13, 2015
Sometimes, you need to find joy wherever you can. And so, a week before the new Star Wars movie, we wonder what the future will bring, both to the world…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Ezra 3:10-13
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

The Empire Strikes Back

December 6, 2015
Babylon sacks Jerusalem and sends the Jews into exile for 70 years. But in the midst of exile, Isaiah sees hope that banishment will end and that the valleys and…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Isaiah 40:1-11
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Stumping for Hope

November 22, 2015
In the darkness of ancient Israel, the Assyrians were on the horizon and the response of the powerful was to act out of fear, oppressing the weak, the poor, and…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Isaiah 11:-15
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Loving, For All Our Faults

November 15, 2015
In the 8th century, bad futures were on the horizon for the Northern kingdom of Israel. But even as geopolitics were about to turn against Israel, the prophets cried out…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: Hosea 11:1-9
Service Type: Sunday Worship
Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Baaling on Our False Gods

November 8, 2015
In today's world, our false gods are not found in our houses of worship, but in the temples to wealth and isolation all around us. We are trained to revere…
Preacher : Nathan Willard
Passage: 1 Kings 18:20-39
Service Type: Sunday Worship

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