Invitation as Radical Act - sermon March 13, 2022

When we receive an invitation from someone, we're being welcomed into their lives, into their homes. To accept that is to say that they are worth the time and the presence. In a world where our personal lives are bounded by social boundaries, invitations and receptions can be an act of affirming others and repudiating artificial boundaries between us. By Pastor Lars Hammar. Based on Luke 14:15-24

Luke 14:15-24

 15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.' 19 Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' 20 Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' 22 And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' 23 Then the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.'"

When We are Called - October 24th, 2021 (Sermon)

In this sermon, we will discuss three different paths that we can take as we move through our lives. It is easy to fall into a default mode, maintaining a sense of familiarity and comfort in our day-to-day lives; life can often feel like this and there is nothing wrong with routines. Sometimes, we are drawn towards personal interests, diving into one hobby after another, seeking a deeper sense of personal fulfillment and self actualisation. This is often an extremely useful and rewarding way of being, but it can at times feel self indulgent and detached from the rest of our community. Occasionally, we are stirred into action, seeing unrest in the world, seeing a place where we can make a difference and give of ourselves even if it makes us a little bit uncomfortable. This third path is often what we refer to when we feel "called" to something. It can be inexplicable, but taking on responsibility and giving much of oursevles can lead us into deeper spirituality and relationship with God. Please join us while we discuss Eli, Samuel and the way that the Bible uses their story to illustrate how we should respond to being called.

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A New Community Spirit - sermon Aug 1

You can tell when you come into a room if it's really a welcoming and inclusive place, or if there's a "spirit" in the room that is negative. Churches, like every group of people, are not immune from negativity, but there are things we, as individuals, can do to better the group, and build each other up. Based on Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:1-3

A Community and A Journey - sermon May 30

What is the Christian life but a community, a relationship with our family of believers and our God, and a journey, where we go through this life together, living in the moment, and finding joy and meaning in each other's presence. Sermon for Holy Trinity Sunday, May 30th, 2021 by Pastor Lars Hammar.