by Dan Chase | Aug 16, 2026 | Sermons
August 16, 2026 · Rev. Dr. James Olson · Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:20-28 A Canaanite woman, an outsider in every way, talks back to Jesus and wins, and the next story is the feeding of four thousand Gentiles. Rev. Dr. James Olson traces how God’s welcome...
by Dan Chase | Aug 9, 2026 | Sermons
August 9, 2026 · Rev. Dr. James Olson · Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Having once scored low on evangelism, Rev. Dr. James Olson redefines it with the line attributed to St. Francis: preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words. Like Peter stepping...
by Dan Chase | Aug 2, 2026 | Sermons
August 2, 2026 · Rev. Dr. James Olson · Isaiah 55:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 Rev. Dr. James Olson’s first Sunday as the Old Sloop’s interim pastor begins with introductions (call me Jim, and no parking-lot conversations, please) before turning to the feeding of...
by Dan Chase | Jul 26, 2026 | Sermons
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...
by Dan Chase | Jul 19, 2026 | Sermons
July 19, 2026 · Rev. Gracie Paterson · Romans 8:18-25; Matthew 13:24-30 Some of us are great beginners and some are great finishers, but Rev. Gracie Paterson makes the case for the middle things: the parable of the weeds is a story about the long wait between sowing...
by Dan Chase | Jul 12, 2026 | Sermons
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...
by Dan Chase | Jul 5, 2026 | Sermons
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...
by Dan Chase | Jun 28, 2026 | Sermons
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...
by Dan Chase | Jun 21, 2026 | Sermons
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....
by Dan Chase | Jun 14, 2026 | Sermons
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...
