Hear "In The Beginning"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, January 11, 2009
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:1-5 and John 1:10-18

Hear "Called To Be Light"
or read it here
Spiritual Message by Christine Rodgers, January 18, 2009
Scripture readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and John 1:43-51
Christine Rodgers is an actor and poet living in San Francisco. Her poetry has appeared in America, National Catholic Reporter, Radical Grace and on a variety of websites. In 2000 she appeared as a panelist in The Forum at Grace Cathedral entitled "The Creative Spirit in Poetry" with Francisco X. Alarcon, Judy Grahn and Dean Alan Jones. She published her first collection of poems, Into the Great Green Heart of God in 2005.

Hear "The Opening Of Spiritual Sight"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, January 25, 2009
Scripture readings: Psalm 62:5-12

Hear "The Prophetic Word"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, February 1, 2009
Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28

Hear "Jesus' Ministry of Healing"
Sermon by The Rev. Joan Huff, February 8, 2009
Scripture readings: Psalm 147:1-11 and Mark 1:29-39
Rev. Joan Huff, is a retired minister member of the Presbytery of San Francisco. She serves as a Parish Associate at 7th Avenue Presbyterian Church in San Francisco as an occasional preacher and a spiritual director. Joan lives in San Francisco amid all her nuclear family including her parents in assisted living, and her 3 year old grandson Tyler for whom she cares every Wednesday.

Hear "Anonymous"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, February 15, 2009
Scripture readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Mark 1:40-45

Hear "Holy Fear"
Sermon by Rodrigo Marcus, February 22, 2009
Scripture readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12 and Mark 9:2-9
Rodrigo Marcus, M.A. is a dream practitioner, retreat director, and spiritual director. He facilitates dream groups in the East Bay and retreats across the U.S. He completed his Master's Degree in Consciousness Studies, and certificates in Dream Studies and Spiritual Direction. He is a parishioner and father of two boys, Rafael and Javier.

Read "A New Start, Big Time"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, March 1, 2009
Scripture readings: Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15

Hear "Who Do I Say That I Am?"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, March 8, 2009
Scripture readings: Genesis 17:1-10, 15-16 and Mark 8:27-38

Hear "'Til You Sing It"
or read it here
Sermon by Christine Laitner, March 15, 2009
Scripture readings: Isaiah 42:10-13 and Psalm 137:1-6
Chris Laitner, B.A., M.M. Chris is honored to be serving as President of the General Convention of the Swedenborgian Church in North America. She is the first laywoman to hold this post. She is a retired teacher, having taught general music, choral music, English, and a little Latin during her thirty-three year career. Chris also has been a department chairman, district curriculum committee chair, writer for State of Michigan curricula and a university online adjunct instructor. She lives in Midland, Michigan, and has two nieces, a nephew, four great-nephews and a great niece.

Hear "Look and Live"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, March 22, 2009
Scripture readings: Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21

Hear "Testing Faith"
or read it here
Sermon by Dr. Darleen Pryds, March 29, 2009
Scripture readings: Genesis 22:1-29, 10-13, 15-18 and Romans 8:31-34
Darleen Pryds, Ph.D., is a Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. She specialized in historical studies and is considered one of the country's leading experts in lay Christian preaching in the medieval period. She has taken an interest in Swedenborg recently and sits on Jim Lawrence's doctoral dissertation committee.

Hear "Trouble Will Bury Me Down"
Sermon by The Rev. Megan Rohrer, April 5, 2009
Scripture readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Mark 11:1-11
The Rev. Megan Rohrer is a Lutheran pastor who has served as the director of the Welcome Ministry, which is housed at Old First Presbyterian Church at Van Ness and Sacramento, since 2002. Pastor Megan joins us on the second day of a seven day street retreat (living on the streets for seven days and nights in San Francisco's Tenderloin). This is the seventh time Pastor Megan has been on street retreat.

Read the Tenebrae Service Message
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, April 9, 2009
Scripture readings: Luke 22:7-8, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 4:16-30, John 6:60-66, John 7:1-5, John 7:45-52, Luke 22:47-53, Luke 22:54-62, and Matthew 27:45-54

Hear "Inner/Outer Resurrection"
or read it here
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, April 12, 2009
Scripture readings: Acts 10:34-43 and John 20:1-18

Hear "After Easter, The Laundry"
Sermon by Dr. Sherrie Connelly, April 19, 2009
Scripture readings: Psalm 111 and Matthew 14
Sherrie Connelly is preparing for Swedenborgian ministry at the Swedenborg House of Studies in Berkeley, and completed her MDiv degree at Starr King School for the Ministry, with a concentration in pastoral care and spirituality in May 2008. She is passionate about providing spiritual companionship as we journey the paths of our lives. Since 2007, Sherrie has served as a Chaplain Resident at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, a Trauma I facility, where she supports patients and family members at the end of life. She relishes rich time spent offering spiritual direction, and will complete the Spiritual Directors Institute at Mercy Center in Burlingame next month.

Hear "We Are Witnesses"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, April 26, 2009
Scripture readings: Acts 3:12-19 and Luke 24:36b-48

Hear "Building Houses on Sand: Recession's Lessons in Living a Spiritual Life"
Sermon by parishoner Alex Lindsay, May 3, 2009
Scripture readings: Matthew 7:24-27
Alex Lindsay, grew up in the General Church and came to the SF Swedenborgian Church with his wife, Carrletta, in 2005. He has spent over 20 years producing computer graphics and worked locally at Lucasfilm and then Industrial Light and Magic before founding dvGarage, a training company for media artists and the Pixel Corps, a Guild for Media Developers.

Hear "Inner/Outer Connections"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, May 10, 2009
Scripture readings: Acts 8:26-40 and John 15:1-8

Hear "Sustaining a Buoyant Heart"
Spiritual Message by Christine Rodgers, May 24, 2009
Scripture readings: Acts 1:1-11 and Ephesians 1:15-23
Christine Rodgers is an actor and poet living in San Francisco. Her poetry has appeared in America, National Catholic Reporter, Radical Grace and on a variety of websites. In 2000 she appeared as a panelist in The Forum at Grace Cathedral entitled "The Creative Spirit in Poetry" with Francisco X. Alarcon, Judy Grahn and Dean Alan Jones. She published her first collection of poems, Into the Great Green Heart of God in 2005.

Hear "Growing Young"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, June 7, 2009
Scripture readings: Isaiah 6:1-13 and John 3:1-10

Hear "Hidden and Mysterious"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, June 14, 2009
Scripture readings: 1 Samuel 15:34-35, 16:10-13 and Mark 4:26-34

Hear "Identifying With Positive Emotions"
Spiritual Message by John R. Gwynn, June 21, 2009
Scripture reading: Psalm 100

Hear "Dealing With Lying: Authenticity"
Spiritual Message by Carla Hall Belmonte, June 21, 2009
Scripture readings: Psalm 40

Hear "PRN (Take As Needed): The 3 Rs"
Spiritual Message by Joy Barnitz, June 21, 2009
Scripture readings: John 15:4

Hear "A Calm And Quiet Soul"
Sermon by The Rev. Joan Huff, June 28, 2009
Scripture readings: Psalm 131:1-2 and Matthew 6:25-34
The Rev. Joan Huff is a retired minister member of the Presbytery of San Francisco. She serves as a Parish Associate at 7th Ave Presbyterian Church in San Francisco as an occasional preacher and a spiritual director. Joan lives in San Francisco amid all her nuclear family including her parents in asssisted living, and her 3 year old grandson Tyler for hom she cares every Wednesday.

2008

Hear "Wait. Listen. Get Up."
Sermon by The Rev. Kathy Speas, February 3, 2008
Scripture readings: Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9

Read "Lent"
Sermon by Darleen Pryds, Ph.D., February 10, 2008
Scripture readings: Jeol 12:12-13 and Matthew 4:1-11
Dr. Pryds is Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality and Medieval History Franciscan School of Theology (Graduate Theological Union).

Hear "Re-Thinking Repentance"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Henrichs, February 17, 2008
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:14-19 and Luke 15:3-7

Hear "Holy Water"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, February 24, 2008
Scripture readings: Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:13-14

Hear "Complete Love & Joy"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, March 3, 2008
Scripture readings: John 15:9-12 and 1 John 4:7-8; 11-12

Hear "Out Of Dry Bones"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, March 9, 2008
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:32-44

Hear "Entering the Gateless Gate"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, March 16, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 90 and Matthew 6:25-27, 32-33

Hear "What Do We See?"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, April 6, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 116:1-9 and Luke 24:30-32

Hear "Entering by The Gate"
Sermon by Andy Stinson, April 13, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 23 and John 10:1-10
Andy Stinson presently lives in Maine, and is the Chair of our denomination's Council of Ministers. He has served two Swedenborgian churches, in Elmwood, Massachusetts, and in Washington D.C., and has also served our country as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army.

Hear "Hearts Untroubled"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, April 20, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 100 and John 14:1-3

Hear "Spirit Of Truth"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, April 27, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 66:8-20 and John 14:15-21

Hear "Pause..."
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, May 4, 2008
Scripture readings: Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-5

Hear "Holy Spirit"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, Pentecost, May 11, 2008
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 37:1-6, 14 and Acts 2:1-6

Hear "On Solid Ground"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, June 1, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 46 and Matthew 7:21-29

Hear "The Last Gift"
Sermon by The Rev. Greg Comella, June 8, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 17 and John 13:1-9

Hear "Choosing To Believe"
Sermon by Dr. Nketchi Wan, June 15, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 145:8-19 and Matthew 11:28-30

Hear "A Great Adventure"
Sermon by Dr. Inese Radzins, June 22, 2008
Scripture readings: Genesis 21:8-21 and Matthew 10:24-39

Hear "A Heavenly Journey"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, June 29, 2008
Scripture readings: Matthew 13:31-32

Hear "Simply Trust"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, July 6, 2008
Scripture readings: Genesis 24:42-49 and Matthew 11:25-30

Hear "What Day Is It?"
or read it here
Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence, D.Min., July 13, 2008

Scripture readings: Genesis 1:24-31 and John 3:1-8

Hear "Follow Me"
Sermon by The Rev. Kathy Speas, July 20, 2008
Scripture readings: Genesis 12:1-9 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Hear "Becoming Heaven"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, July 27, 2008
Scripture readings: Matthew 13:1-9; 24-30; 31-32 and Matthew 13:33-35; 44-50

Hear "Blessed Monotony"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, July 27, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 85:8-13 and Matthew 14: 22-33

Hear "Opening Our Roof"
Spriritual Message by Rodrigo Marcus, August 17, 2008
Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Mark 2:1-12

Hear "Bad Science?"
Sermon by The Rev. Doug Moss, August 24, 2008
Rev. Moss is pastor of the Swedenborgian Church across the bay from our church, in El Cerrito.
Scripture readings: Psalm 8 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Hear "Work In Progress"
Sermon by Darleen Pryds, Ph.D., August 31, 2008
Darleen Pryds is a Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16 and Luke 10:38-42

Hear "A Time to Every Purpose"
or read it here
Spiritual Message by Joy Barnitz, Ph.D., September 7, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 149 and Matthew 18:20
Dr. Barnitz, our council president, grew up in the General Church and has family in all three branches of the Swedenborgian church. Trained as a scientist, she now works to bring new medicines to the marketplace. Joy shares her life with her spouse, Douglas Stinson, and two cats.

Hear "From Here to There"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, September 14, 2008
Scripture readings: Exodus 14:19-31 and Matthew 18:21-35

Hear "The Kingdom of Heaven is Like..."
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, September 21, 2008
Scripture readings: Exodus 16:2-15 and Matthew 20:1-16

Hear "Swedenborg and the Great American Experiment"
or read it here.
Spriritual Message by Doug Stinson, September 28, 2008
Scripture readings: Matthew 7:7-8 and Matthew 22:35-50
Doug Stinson, Ph.D., was raised in New Hampshire and attended New College, the experimental liberal arts school in Sarasota, Florida. There he met his wife, Joy Barnitz, who introduced him to Swedenborg. He went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Since then he has performed and managed research and product development for Kodak, Seagate, Hewlett-Packard, and the obligatory Silicon Valley start-up that went belly-up during the dot com bust. He currently is responsible for developing surgical lasers at American Medical Systems. Doug is an avid photographer, newsletter editor, emergency communicator, and, while working on a community's master plan, coined the phrase "environmental infrastructure".

Hear "Finding Forgiveness"
Spriritual Message by Marcia Kimpton, October 5, 2008
or read it here.
Scripture readings: Exodus 19:10-20, 20:1-7 and Joshua 1:1-2,7
Marcia Kimpton has been studying at the House of Swedenborgian studies at PSR for seven years. She is in the process of writing a spiritual book that incorporates Swedenborgian concepts. She is a mother of a 16 year old daughter and she is producer in both television and film.

Hear "Worship in a Difficult Time"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, October 12, 2008
Scripture readings: Exodus 32:1-14 and Matthew 22:1-14

Hear "The Value Of Our Days"
Spriritual Message by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, October 19, 2008
Scripture readings: Genesis 32:22-31 and Luke 18:1-8

Hear "Standing on Tiptoe"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, October 26, 2008
Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Matthew 22:34-40,41-46

Hear "Humble Strength"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, November 2, 2008
Scripture readings: Joshua 3:7-17 and Matthew 23:1-12

Hear "Be Prepared"
Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Robin Crawford, LLD, November 9, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 103:6-18 and Matthew 25:1-13
Rev. Dr. Crawford is a Presbyterian minister who has pastored several churches, and served as interim Presbytery Executive of the San Francisco Presbytery. He has a law practice in wills and estate planning in Pacifica.

Hear "Take Risks"
Spriritual Message by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, November 16, 2008
Scripture readings: Judges 4:1-7 and Matthew 25:14-30

Hear "Celebrating 'Stir-Up' Sunday"
Sermon by The Rev. Kathy Speas, November 23, 2008
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 34:11-17 and Matthew 25:31-46
Rev. Kathy Speas, M.Div., is a parishioner in our parish and was ordained a Swedenborgian minister in 2004. She was selected from among a large applicant pool to become the new chaplain of Hospice of Marin. She covers a caseload in Northern California counties, serving the terminally ill and their families in pastoral support. She believes that this is a profession tailor-made for Swedenborgians. She says, "It's very comforting for people to find that they have been creating their heaven all along through what they love. And it takes a Swedenborgian minister to recognize the "remains" that are expressed in the faith memories of an Alzheimer's patient who remembers nothing but the words to Silent Night, the Lord's Prayer, and the 23rd Psalm." Kathy has preached several times in our church, first as an intern, and now as an ordained minister. It is always a joy to hear her message.

Hear "Pay Attention"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, November 30, 2008
Scripture readings: Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37

Hear "Prepare The Way"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, December 7, 2008
Scripture readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8

Hear "Grace Upon Grace: Pass It On"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, December 14, 2008
Scripture readings: Isaiah 61:1-11 and John 1:6-18

Hear "Rehearsing The Story"
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, December 21, 2008
Scripture readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Luke 1:26-38

Hear the 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Story
Childrens' Story by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, December 24, 2008

Hear the 7:30 PM Christmas Eve Sermon
Sermon by The Rev. Jeff Cheifetz, December 24, 2008 or read it here
Scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Hear the 10:00 PM Christmas Eve Sermon
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, December 24, 2008

Hear "Free Will: Reality or Fantasy"
Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Everett Alexander, December 28, 2008
Scripture reading: Romans 8:2
Rev. Dr. Everett C. Alexander has been an ordained minister since 1993. He received his PhD in Metaphysics/Spiritual Counseling in 2001 from Santa Monica College. He worked at Unity Church in Santa Monica for three years, then began working primarily with people in their last stages of life. He has been an on-call Minister for one of the Presbyterian Churches in Santa Monica. He sends out an e-mail newsletter, monthly, entitled "Conversations about God".

2007

Hear "Where to Find Peace?"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, January 14, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 111 and Luke 2:25-33

Read "The Search for Intelligent Design In The Universe"
Sermon by Doug Stinson, February 25, 2007
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:14, 16, 19

Read "Finding God, Finding Ourselves... In Fractals"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, March 4, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 139:1-14 and John 15:4-8

Hear "Water"
Sermon by Alex Lindsay, March 18, 2007
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:6-7 and John 4:13-15
Alex grew up in the General Church (the more conservative branch of the Swedenborgian Church) and came to the SF Swedenborgian Church with his wife, Carrletta, in 2005. He has spent over 20 years producing computer graphics and worked locally at Lucasfilm and then Industrial Light and Magic before founding dvGarage, a training company for media artists and Pixel Corps, a Guild for Media Developers.

Hear "Entering Jerusalem"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, April 1, 2007
Scripture readings: Luke 19: 28-40 and Psalm 118: 1-2; 19-24

Hear "Angels" [Popular!]
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, April 29, 2007
or read it here
Scripture readings: Psalm 34 and Isaiah 2:2-3

Hear "Here We Are Lord"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, May 6, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 100 and Mark 1:16-20

Hear "The Feminine Face of God"
or read it here
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, May 13, 2007
Scripture readings: Genesis 2:15-25 and Luke 1:39-45

Hear "The Trinity: Three Aspects of Love"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, June 3, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 and Matthew 28:16-20

Hear "Deepening Insight"
Sermon by Rev. Lana Sandahl, June 10, 2007
Scripture readings: 1 Kings 17:17-24 and Luke 7: 11-17

Hear "The Value of Rest"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, June 24, 2007
Scripture readings: Genesis 28:10-17 and Matthew 10:29-31

Read "In The Image And Likeness"
Sermon by Joy T. Barnitz, Ph.D., July 1, 2007
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:26-28 and John 1: 1 & 14

Hear "Swedenborg's Struggle for Faith: Its Contours and Meaning for Us"
or read it here
Sermon by Swedenborgian Scholar Jane Williams-Hogan, Ph.D., July 8, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 30: 1-3 and Luke 18: 15-17
Jane Williams-Hogan, Ph.D. is a Professor of history and sociology at Bryn Athyn College. She has taught at the college for over thirty years. She has written extensively on Swedenborg and Swedenborgianism. This summer she will give a keynote address at a Conference at the Donner Institute in Finland, titled: "The Place of Emanuel Swedenborg in the Spiritual Saga of Scandinavia." She is also working on a biography of Swedenborg titled: The Making of a Modern Visionary: Emanuel Swedenborg Eyewittness to the Apocalypse. In October she will present a paper at a Conference on the Last Judgment titled: "After 1757:The Child and Songs of Innocence." Married to Michael H. Hogan, they just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. They have six children and almost nine grandchildren.

Hear "Respecting Authority"
or or read it here
Sermon by Joy T. Barnitz, Ph.D., July 1, 2007
Scripture readings: 1 Kings 12: 6-8 and John 18: 33-37
Joy grew up in the General Church and has family in all three branches of the Swedenborgian church. Trained as a scientist, she now works to bring new medicines to the marketplace. Joy shares her life with her spouse, Douglas Stinson, and two cats.

Hear "Choices"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, July 29, 2007
Scripture readings: Micah 6:8 and Matthew 7:15-23

Hear "Virtual Reality and the Burning Bush"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, August 5, 2007
Scripture readings: Exodus 3:1-6 and Matthew 7:7-12

Hear "It Works... Without a Doubt!"
Spiritual Message by Fred Holborn, August 12, 2007
Scripture readings: Malachi 3:10-12 and Hebrews 11:1-3, 6

Hear "Bad Grapes"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, August 19, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 5: 1-4 and Luke 12: 49-53

Hear "Growing Up"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, September 9, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 1 and Romans 7:19

Hear "Lost Treasures"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, September 16, 2007
Scripture readings: Exodus 32:1, 7-14 and Luke 15:1-7

Hear "Weeds Amongst The Wheat"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, September 23, 2007
Scripture reading: Matthew 13: 24-30

Hear "Left, Right, Center and Beyond"
Spiritual Message by Andy Stinson, October 7, 2007
Scripture reading: Lamentations 1:1-6 and Luke 17:5-10

Hear "Don't Believe Everything You Think"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, October 14, 2007
Scripture readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Luke 17:11-19

Read "Trick or Treat: Finding a Life of Faith in a Very Scary World"
Spiritual Message by Dr. Darleen Pryds, October 21, 2007
Scripture reading: Sirach 3:17-21 and Luke 24:36-43

Hear "On The Mountain"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, October 28, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 25:6-10 and John 6:35

Hear "Asking The Wrong Question"
Sermon by The Rev. Rich Tafel, M.Div., November 10, 2007.
Scripture reading: Psalm 17:8-15 and Luke 20:27-38
Rev. Rich Tafel is a nationally known strategist with real world experience in the arena of health care, education, politics and human rights. A certified ICF coach, Rich has worked with corporate, non-profit and church leaders to achieve results in the United States, Latin American and Africa. Ordained in 1988 following graduation from Harvard Divinity School, Rich joined the staff of the Memorial Church at Harvard University. In his 1999 book, Party Crasher, he laid out a new inclusive winning strategy for political leaders seeking to capture the center in American politics. In 1991 Rich was appointed Director of Adolescent Health Services for Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In 2003, Rich founded RLT Strategies as a way to offer strategic advice to visionary leaders on issues of social change. Named by "Newsweek" magazine as one of the 30 most influential gay leaders in the United States, Rich was the founding president of the Log Cabin Republicans in 1990, when it was a nine-chapter organization. Today, it is cited by "The Wall Street Journal" as the group which "AIDS activists credit... with helping to open GOP doors on Capitol Hill." Tafel was the only gay leader to testify before the 104th Congress on AIDS issues. Rev. Tafel is a very active member of the Swedenborgian Church in Washington, D.C. He has met with our Church Council to help our church in its planning and priorities.

Hear "Thank You"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, November 18, 2007
Scripture readings: Micah 6:8 and Luke 12:32-34

Read "Truth, Written All Over It"
Sermon by Cathy Lauber, November 25, 2007
Scripture reading: Daniel 7:9-14 and John 18:28-38

Hear "The Process Of Peace"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 2, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44

Hear "Peace Within, Peace Without"
Sermon by The Rev. Lana Sandahl, December 9, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12

Hear "Heavenly Joy"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 16, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 35:5-8 and Matthew 11:2-5

Hear "Vital Signs"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, December 23, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 7:10-17 and Matthew 1:18-25

2006

Hear "Recognizing God"
Easter Sunday Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, April 16, 2006
Scripture readings: John 20:1-18

Hear "Pathway To Peace"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, May 7, 2006
Scripture readings: John 3:3-7 and Luke 24:44-48

Read "The Dress Rehearsal"
Sermon by Alex Lindsay (with parishoners on retreat), May 28, 2006
Scripture readings: Matthew 6:19-21

Read "What Stops Us?"
Sermon by Janet Council (in church), May 28, 2006
Scripture readings: Psalm 90 and Galatians 6:9-10

Read "Fathers: Finding Perspective"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, June 18, 2006
Scripture readings: Exodus 20:12; Matthew 5:48, 6:9, 6:26, 8:21-22, 10:37, 23:9;
Luke 2:48-49, 3:8; John 6:42, 8:27; Mark 9:23-29

Hear "Five Smooth Stones"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, June 25, 2006
Scripture readings: Samuel 17:48-49 and Mark 4:35-40

Read "Authority"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, July 2, 2006
Scripture readings: Jeremiah 5:26-31 and Matthew 20:23-27; 10:26-27

Read "From Buddha to Swedenborg"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, July 23, 2006
Scripture readings: Psalm 37:1-9, Psalm 46, and Luke 1:62-80

Read "The Imagination"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, August 13, 2006
or hear it
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 2:1-7, 18-23

Read "Plant That!"
Sermon by Bette Mc DOnnell, July 23, 2006
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 29:5

Hear "Keeping In Touch"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, August 27, 2006
Scripture readings: Joshua 24: 1-2; 14-15 and John 6: 66-68

Read "Love And Commitment"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, September 3, 2006
Scripture readings: Judges 16:15-30 and Matthew 6:19-23

Read "The First Coming of Jesus Christ"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, November 5, 2006
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 8:1-4 and John 10:31-38

Hear "It's Personal"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, November 19, 2006
Scripture readings: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Hear "This is the day"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 3, 2006
Scripture readings: Micah 4:2b-4; 14-15 and Revelation 21:3-5a

Read "Border Crossings"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, December 10, 2006
Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 34:1-5 and Matthew 1:18-21

Hear "What Herod didn't do"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 17, 2006
Scripture readings: Isaiah 12:2-3

Hear "In the beginning"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 31, 2006
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:1 and John 3:1-6

2005

Hear "The Treasure We Become"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, January 9, 2005
The story of "Artaban: The Other Wise Man" reveals what we believe and have faith in is a lens through which we experience life, and a language through which we interpret our life experience. It has a great influence on how we act and react, and in forming who we ultimately become.
Scripture readings: Matthew 2:1-12 and Matthew 25:31-40

Hear "Who Am I?"
Sermon by Alison Bailey, January 16, 2005
How can one know who they are when they don't know their own father? Learning to forgive in finding out the truth about one's past, and learning to recognize past and present problems as part of God's divine curriculum.
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:26-27, Matthew 6:22-23 and 1 Corinthians 13:4; 11-13

Hear "Impermanence and Eternity: The Path Between"
or read it here
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, January 23, 2005
Looking through a Buddhist, Taoist and Swedenborgian Christian lens, Rev. Hinrichs reflects on the impermanent nature of being and its indication of our coexistence in time and eternity, or, in Swedenborgian terms, our coexistence in the spiritual and natural worlds. Scripture reading: Mark 13:31-37

Hear "The Choice is Ours"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, January 30, 2005

Hear "The Word Of God"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, February 6, 2005
A focus on how we can utilize the Lenten season to make welcome and meaningful changes in our lives.
Scripture readings: Genesis 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11

Hear "Being There"
Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Jim Laurence, February 13, 2005
Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence inspects the hidden meaning of the parable of Martha and Mary, noting that the "natural love of God" exemplified by Martha's industriousness is no less important in today's world of "workaholism" than the "spiritual love of God" shown by Mary, who sat throughout, contemplatively, at Christ's feet.
Scripture readings: Genesis 18:1-10 and Luke 10:38-42

Hear "Jesus Wept"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, March 13, 2005
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:1-44

Hear "Beyond Hosanna"
Sermon by The Rev. Kathy Speas, March 20, 2005
Scripture readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Matthew 21:1-11

Hear "Receiving The Easter Message"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, March 27, 2005
Scripture readings: John 20:1-8 and John 20:10-18

Hear "Thomas the Doubter"
Sermon by The Rev. Dr. William McKinney, April 3, 2005
Scripture readings: Psalm 16 and John 20:19-31

Hear "Eyes for the Seeing"
Sermon by The Rev. Andy Stinson, April 10, 2005
Scripture readings: Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 24:13-49

Read "Keeping the Peace"
Sermon by Janet Council, July 10, 2005
Scripture readings: Isaiah 57:18-21 and Galatians 5:22

Read "Let Everything That Breathes Praise The Lord!"
Sermon by Eric Hoffman, July 17, 2005
Scripture readings: Psalm 81 and Revelation 19:1-8

Read "Practicing the Divine Path, A Universal Teaching"
Sermon by Thais da Rosa, PhD, CTS, August 21, 2005

Read "Person To Person"
Sermon by Bill Danz, October 9, 2005
Scripture readings: Philippians 4:4-9 and James 1:22-25

Read "Prosper the Work of Our Hands"
Sermon by The Rev. Sage S. Rohrer, November 13, 2005
Scripture readings: Matthew 25:12-30 and Psalm 90

2004

Read "A Pathway for Our Steps"
Sermon by The Rev. Kathy Speas, July 25, 2004

Read "The Conflicted Path Toward Peace"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, August 15, 2004

Read "An Open Book"
Sermon by Bill Danz, October 17, 200

Hear "Is God a Democrat or a Republican?"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, November 7, 2004

Read "Left Behind" - November 7, 2004
A sermon in response to Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ by The Rev. Lee Woofenden, pastor of the Swedenborgian Church in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Hear "Moral Values"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, November 21, 2004

Hear "Is He The One?"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 12, 2004

Hear "God With Us"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 19, 2004

Hear "Fear Not!"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 26, 2004

2003

Read "A Story of Discipleship"
Sermon by Alison Baxter, January 19, 2003

Read "Fear and Faith"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, February 2, 2003

Read "Special Effects"
Sermon by Kathy Speas, March 2, 2003

Read "Thomas and the Lord"
Sermon by Alison Baxter, April 27, 2003

Read "Name Dropping"
Sermon by Kathy Speas, May 11, 2003

Read "Mothering into Ministry"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, July 20, 2003

Read "Putting On Christ"
Sermon by Janet Council, August 10, 2003

Read "The Work of Love and Wisdom"
Sermon by The Rev. Kim Hinrichs, August 31, 2003

Read "Called to Hope"
Sermon by Kathy Speas, November 2, 2003

2002

Read "Bursting Into Bloom"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, May 19, 2002

Read "What is Sin?"
Sermon by Kathy Speas, June 30, 2002

Read "Mary Magdalene, The Unexpected"
Sermon by Kim Hinrichs, August 25, 2002

Read "Begin Again"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, September 8, 2002

2001

Read "Hark! The Guarded Humans Sing"
Sermon by Kathy Speas

Read "Making the Connection"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, July 8, 2001

Read "The Promise of Progeny"
Sermon by Kim Hinrichs, August 12, 2001 Read "Do Not Be Overcome by Evil, But Overcome Evil with Good"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, September 16, 2001

Read "Misuse of Power"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, October 14, 2001

Read "Unconquerable Joy"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, October 28, 2001

Read "Listening to God's Will"
Sermon by Rodrigo Marcus, November 11, 2001

Read "The Power of Gratitude"
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, November 18, 2001

Read "Work on What Has Been Spoiled"
Sermon by Dr. John Kao, November 25, 2001

Read "Love Yearning to Be Born ..."
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel Rivers, December 24, 2001 (Christmas Eve)