More Parables

July 26, 2026 · Elsa M. Tranfaglia · Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Elsa M. Tranfaglia starts with a fancy new weeder in a neighborhood of perfect lawns, then works through five of Jesus’ parables of the kingdom: the mustard seed, the yeast, the hidden...

Between Sowing and Reaping

July 19, 2026 · Rev. Gracie · Romans 8:18-25; Matthew 13:24-30 Some of us are great beginners and some are great finishers, but Rev. Gracie makes the case for the middle things: the parable of the weeds is a story about the long wait between sowing and reaping. Like...

Sowing the Seeds

July 12, 2026 · Rev. Jamie · Isaiah 55:10-13; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 Ferns pushing up through black lava on Kilauea, and a childhood in hard, volcanic conditions of its own, lead Rev. Jamie to the parable of the sower, who scatters seed everywhere without asking whether...

You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

July 5, 2026 · Deacon Jim Schell · Psalm 139:1-14; Matthew 11:25-30 Deacon Jim Schell, a lifelong lover of music, reflects on breath and spirit as the divine image in each of us: a love letter from God, hidden in the envelope of the body. By way of a country song...

Living Water

June 28, 2026 · Rev. Anne · Psalm 23; Matthew 10:40-42 Rev. Anne remembers a first visit to Rockport for the church’s ham and bean dinner, and calls the Old Sloop a fountain at the center of town whose radical hospitality flows from the communion table. With the...

Devices and Desires

June 21, 2026 · Rev. Rick Spalding · Exodus 32:1-20; Matthew 22:15-22 In a final week with the congregation, Rev. Rick Spalding takes on the golden calf: frightened people melting down their jewelry into a god they can make themselves, and Moses smashing the tablets....

Are You There?

June 14, 2026 · Rev. Rick Spalding · Exodus 17:1-7; Matthew 5:1-16 A song of longing from the musical The Band’s Visit opens Rev. Rick Spalding’s sermon on thirst, and on the Israelites at Massah and Meribah asking, ‘Is the Lord among us or...

Who Am I?

June 7, 2026 · Rev. Rick Spalding · Exodus 3:1-15; Matthew 16:13-17, 21-25 Before Moses asks God’s name at the burning bush, Moses asks a question of his own: ‘Who am I?’ Rev. Rick Spalding suggests that’s where every journey toward freedom...

The Hardest Commandment

May 31, 2026 · Rev. Susan Moran · Exodus 20:1-17 Rev. Susan Moran calls the fourth commandment, to honor the Sabbath, the hardest of all, especially for activists and list-makers. With help from Thomas Merton and Wayne Muller, the sermon argues that rest is the root...

Holy Smoke and Sacred Fire

May 24, 2026 · Elsa M. Tranfaglia · Acts 2:1-21 On Pentecost, Elsa M. Tranfaglia starts with a kindergartner waiting for Jesus to come and clean his room, then turns to the day the church was born: a rush of wind, flames like birthday candles, and a promise that...