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1.

Title: When Jesus Decides To "Go Postal"
(2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 11/9/08

Length: 24:49

Summary: There is an art to writing recommendation letters. Deciding what to leave in and what to leave out can make all the difference in that recommendation having the desired effect. The Bible says that we're letters of recommendation from Jesus to the world around us. This morning we want to stop and consider what might be lost if those letters were to be "lost in the mail" or returned to sender. If we are charged with delivering the good news, what happens if we keep that news to ourselves?

2.

Title: A Story to Tell
(Mark 4:1-9)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 11/2/08

Length: 17:23

Summary: From generation to generation, we have a story to tell. THE story. Of course, the truest way we do this is by living out, as best we can, the example of Jesus Christ. The tradition of the Church, through the ages is to share this story, in both formal and informal styles, through our worship. As Pastor Tim has suggested to us in the opening sermon of the series, we all have our own preferences as to a particular style of worship but we need to be careful that these preferences don't detract from the true and only purpose of worship: to honor the God who is worthy of our praise and love. We have also talked about the various elements of worship and took note that these are, or should be, in response to God's Word and presence in our midst. This morning we will spend some time talking about generational differences that can add so much or detract, if we let them, from our worship experience.

3.

Title: Worship matters: Everything I Needed to Know I Learned After the Sermon and Before the Coffee Hour
(Matthew 13:44-49)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 10/26/08

Length: 20:08

Summary: It is so easy to think that what comes before the sermon are just preliminaries and what follows after is just debriefing, but the most personal aspect of worship is what happens after the sermon and before the service is over. The reflection that takes place in the offertory, the offering, singing and being sent out into God's world--and on special Sundays the Lord's Supper--these are all our response to God's Word and presence with us. It is where the rubber hits the road in worship. It is where the Holy Spirit does or does not break through and touch our hearts--shape our lives.

4.

Title: The God Who Is
(Mark 5:1-20)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 10/19/08

Length: 27:18

Summary: Worship is so central to loving God and following Jesus that many of us never stop and think much about it. If we do give it a second thought, it is usually to express a preference for a particular hymn, sermon, or style of prayer. But worship is never really about the God we want. Sometimes worship is about the God we need, but the bottom line is that worship is always about the God who Is, Was, and Always Will Be. We begin a three part sermon series this morning on Why Worship Matters.

5.

Title: Render Unto Caesar...
(Matthew 22:15-22)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 10/5/08

Length: 18:22

Summary: Here we are, right in the heat of political debate season, trying to figure out who will be the next President of these United States. So in honor of our current sermon series, I wanted to take a look at how, Jesus, an undeclared fourth-party candidate might do in a political debate. In our text today, Jesus is being questioned by two of the three major political parties in the Jewish political system. On the one hand, we have the Pharisees, a religious group who were conservative and ultra-nationalists who believed Israel was for God's chosen people -- period. Then we have the Herodians, who were their political polar opposites. They were much more liberal, often collaborating with Herod Antipas and the Roman government and supporting Roman policies, usually for their own personal and political advantage. Isn't it amazing that BOTH sides, bitter political enemies, joined forces and took political issue with a poor, itinerate, no-name rabbi with no party affiliation by the name of Jesus? In our text today, both the Pharisees and the Herodians are trying to trip up the people's choice candidate in a public debate -- on taxes. So, let's take a look at the text and ask ourselves did Jesus win the debate or refuse to get involved in it? Based on this brief debate is there any question where Jesus' "party" loyalties lie?

6.

Title: Keynote Address, The Reverend Timothy Burchill, Kingdom of God Party Convention 2008, The Gospel Truthiness
(Matthew 16:13-23)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 9/28/08

Length: 29:26

Summary: If Jesus had started a political party based on his teaching and preaching about the Kingdom of God what would its primary "planks" be? If Jesus were running for national office in 2008, what are some of the mega themes he would want to address? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus in the age of Spin, attack ads, and the 24/7 news cycle? What role should our commitment to truth play in the important political decisions before us?

7.

Title: The Curse of Contentment's Tomb
(Luke 12:13-21)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 9/21/08

Length: 33:59

Summary: When is the last time you looked the in mirror and said, "I've gotten a little too greedy lately?" There are any number of folks who might confess to feeling guilty, being angry, or even confess to jealousy--but the number of people who admit to being greedy are few and far between. Yet if you were to ask the average American on the street what 'monsters' were most attacking the hearts of their neighbors and friends, Greed would be in the top 5. Today we're going to look again at a familiar parable of Jesus and ask, could I too be suffering from BBS (Bigger Barn Syndrome)?

8.

Title: Anger Makes Me SO Mad!
(Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 9/14/08

Length: 17:43

Summary: Our current sermon series is based on Andy Stanley's latest book, "It Came From Within." This book deals with some of the "monsters" that most of us have lurking in our hearts. According to Stanley, four of the very worst are: guilt, anger, greed and jealousy. He calls them variously "nightmarish foes" and "malevolent forces," that, given their way can ruin our relationships, trash our homes and ruin our careers every bit as thoroughly as Frankenstein or Godzilla. Wow! Overly dramatic language used to sell books, right? I mean, each of us have these issues in our own hearts, to one degree or other, so how bad could they be? Well, Stanley is not talking about these issues properly recognized and confronted; he's talking about the seriously dangerous nature of these emotions left unchecked -- or worse, given full reign in our lives and in our relationships. When this happens, look out! But, take heart! There are ways to tame the monsters within!

9.

Title: The Bride of the Green-eyed Monster
(Genesis 4:1-12)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 9/7/08

Length: 18:28

Summary: Jealousy is not limited to those who are in love with the fickle-hearted. Jealousy and envy arise from the same place in our hearts that gives birth to covetousness and lust. The green-eyed monster that is jealousy not only robs us of a satisfying life, but it makes loving like Jesus an impossibility. Our ability to celebrate with those who are richly blessed is the key to being able to appreciate and return thanks for the blessings we ourselves have been given by God.

10.

Title: Invasion of the Happiness Snatchers
(Luke 19:1-10)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 8/31/08

Length: 31:37

Summary: When we feel guilty we feel as if we have done something or taken something from someone that puts us in another's debt. "I owe you an apology," we say. The problem for many of us is that we have no idea how to pay off those debts so that we can move forward without the oppressive baggage of guilt. It is almost as if there is an Invasion of Happiness Snatchers that just sap our joy and leave us depressed. This morning we're going to hear about God's plan to fight back and begin living without chronic or excessive guilt.

11.

Title: The Creature From The Heart's Lagoon
(Matthew 15:1-20)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 8/24/08

Length: 28:42

Summary: The human heart is a mystery, so says the prophet. Who can fathom its many facets? We may think of ourselves as being 'good hearted' and then all of a sudden we say something or do something and it doesn't sound or look good at all. Where did that come from? Somewhere from deep within our heart, of course. We begin a new sermon series today based on Andy Stanley's book, It Came From Within. It is an honest assessment of what's lurking in our hearts as well as God's plan for putting our hearts back in order.

12.

Title: This is Supposed to be FUN, right?
(John 15:1-12)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 6/1/08

Length: 19:19

Summary: With Pastor Tim off to exotic and far away lands, we searched for some of the best preachers we could find to lend Pastor Pat a hand with the preaching this summer. Several of our own congregation members have agreed to share their faith story! Our series will be based on "Amazing Events and People: Lessons on Life and Faith." We've asked our guest preachers to share those things in their own life journey that have been most important to them in their journey of faith. We will hear not only about life and faith lesson, but also about the women and men who have been important mentors to them along the way. Join us for this fun and important series! Remember: we have a first-class line up of guest preachers--you won't want to miss a single Sunday!

13.

Title: There Ain't NO Fish in The Yard!
(Matthew 4:18-25)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 5/25/08

Length: 18:34

Summary: So, what do you do when you want to learn something new or get better at something you already do? I can tell you what I do: I buy or borrow every book or video by every expert on the subject. Then I talk with everyone I can find about how they do it. Next, I buy the latest gizmo or whatchamacallit on the market, hoping technology will be a good substitute for any actual talent or physical skill necessary on my part to succeed at the task--then I practice. Can you ever learn everything you need to know by reading about it or practicing a skill? Probably not. If I want to catch a fish, I'd better put down the book, pick up a fly rod and head to the river. I believe this same principle works with our faith as well; at some point, we need to put down the latest book on "Five Easy & Practical Steps to Sharing Your Faith" and get on with doing and sharing the Gospel. Practice is great, but whether fly fishing or faith-sharing, nothing replaces doing!

14.

Title: Knee Deep in Lessons on Life and Faith: A Gift Too Small...
(Mark 12:41-44)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 5/4/08

Length: 20:21

Summary: With Pastor Tim off to exotic and far away lands, we searched for some of the best preachers we could find to lend Pastor Pat a hand with the preaching this summer and we didn't have to look far to find them -- several of our own congregation members have agreed to share their faith story! Our series will be based on "Amazing Events and Amazing People: Lessons on Life and Faith." We've asked our guest preachers to share those things in their own life journey that have been most important to them in their journey of faith. We will hear not only about life and faith lessons, but also about the women and men who have been important mentors to them along the way. Now, we already know that Pastor Pat will be sharing Lessons on Life and Faith he learned on a trout stream and from those he meets along the way. We know he has certainly learned life lessons there; but faith lessons? Join us for this fun and important series and find out! Remember: we have a first-class line up of guest preachers -- you won't want to miss a single Sunday!

15.

Title: Stuck? Revenge Is a Dish Best Not Served at All
(Genesis 50:15-21)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 4/27/08

Length: 18:30

Summary: Wanting to get even and having the opportunity to do so are two very different things. But it just might be that in this Dog Eat Dog World God is calling us to give up meat. Settling old scores is fraught with all kinds of problems that scripture warns us to avoid.

16.

Title: Did you hear what Joseph did?
(Genesis 39:1-20)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 4/20/08

Length: 19:20

Summary: If you're one of those people who think that gossip is little more than a bit of harmless fun; the kind of inconsequential thing that happens around the water-cooler or between office mates with a few extra moments on their hands, then you need to understand that these unfounded and careless statements can end a reputation or a career – and in a very real sense, ruin a life. There is nothing harmless about gossip! We've all been on the wrong side of gossip and it is absolutely no fun. So, how should we respond to gossip? Is there a better solution than 'fighting fire with fire?' Yes! Perhaps we can gain some insight on how best to do this as we continue our 'Stuck' series this morning on how to handle one of life's trickiest situations.

17.

Title: Stuck: God's Solvent For the Sticky Situations in Life: The Faithful Don't Fall Far From the Tree
(Genesis 28:10-17;Genesis 37:1-11)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 4/13/08

Length: 26:03

Summary: For good or for ill we learn what matters from our parents. And if we are ever going to learn what it means to love God and others, the example of our parents and grandparents is crucial. Even as we recognize how much we learn about faith from Moms and Dads, we can also learn a great deal about the simple child-like faith Jesus described, from the little ones around us. The relationship of Jacob and Joseph holds a lot of teachable insights into how parents shape children and children, in turn, shape their parents.

18.

Title: Stuck? Who Gives the Dream, Who Gets the Dream, Who Grows Faithfully Into It
(Genesis 39:20-23; Proverbs 29:18)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 4/6/08

Length: 30:13

Summary: There is a whole industry out there that celebrates dreams and aspirations. Unfortunately, it easily slips into a Hallmark kind of banality. Women and men of real faith have always been shaped and formed by the dreams and visions they’ve been given. In fact, without those glimpses of God’s purpose and plan God’s people would cease to exist. What can Joseph’s life teach us about what happens when we stay true to the dream given us?

19.

Title: Why Can't We Just Get Along
(Genesis 37:1-11)

Sermon: Rev. Pat Sleeth

Sermon date: 3/30/08

Length: 21:27

Summary: When it comes to choices, we can pick our shoes, pick our clothes, pick our friends and pick our habits. We can pick a spouse, pick a church, pick a car and pick a movie. We can pick books, colors, food and candidates. We have nearly endless choices about all the things we can pick; but one thing we can't pick is our family. Sometimes, even in the healthiest, most loving families we can imagine, the question is still "Why can't we just get along?" Great question! Join us (for the next several weeks) as we hear how, with God's help, Joseph comes "unstuck" in one sticky situation after another.

20.

Title: It Doesn't Matter
(Matthew 28:1-7)

Sermon: Rev. Tim Burchill

Sermon date: 3/23/08

Length: 24:56

Summary: The resurrection of Jesus is more than just a test of how much we are willing to believe or not believe about God and God's power over life and death. The resurrection of Jesus is a decisive response by God to what we did to His son on the cross. We did the worst we could do to the One who deserved our best. The ball is now in God's court. At the first light of Easter God, through Christ, makes it crystal clear what lies in store for us.