A sermon on the topic of the Left Behind series by The Rev. Ernest O. Martin, an ordained minister of the Swedenborgian Church for 51 years, serving three parishes, 7 years as President of the denomination, 9 years at the Wayfarers Chapel, and 13 years as Director of the Temenos Conference and Retreat Center in West Chester, PA. He is now retired and living in Duvall, WA.

Read "Left Behind" - November 7, 2004

Sermons by Rev. Dr. Rachel Rivers

Rev. Rachel preaches twice a month at the Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco. A selection of her sermons follows:

Read "Making the Connection"
Sermon of July 8, 2001

Read "Do Not Be Overcome by Evil, But Overcome Evil with Good"
Sermon of September 16, 2001

Read "Misuse of Power"
Sermon of October 14, 2001

Read "Unconquerable Joy"
Sermon of October 28, 2001

Read "The Power of Gratitude"
Sermon of November 18, 2001

Read "Love Yearning to Be Born ..."
Sermon of December 24, 2001 (Christmas Eve)

Read "Remember"
Sermon of May 5, 2002

Read "Bursting Into Bloom"
Sermon of May 19, 2002

Read "Begin Again"
Sermon of September 8, 2002

Read "Fear and Faith"
Sermon of February 2, 2003

Hear "Is God a Democrat or a Republican?"
Sermon of November 7, 2004

Hear "Moral Values"
Sermon of November 21, 2004

Hear "Is He The One?"
Sermon of December 12, 2004

Hear "God With Us"
Sermon of December 19, 2004

Hear "Fear Not!"
Sermon of December 26, 2004

Hear "The Treasure We Become"
Sermon of 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 "The Choice is Ours"
Sermon of January 30, 2005

Hear "The Word Of God"
Sermon of 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 "Jesus Wept"
Sermon of March 13, 2005
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:1-44

Hear "Receiving The Easter Message"
Sermon of March 27, 2005
Scripture readings: John 20:1-8 and John 20:10-18

Hear "Recognizing God"
Easter Sunday Sermon, April 16, 2006
Scripture readings: John 20:1-18

Hear "Pathway To Peace"
Sermon of May 7, 2006
Scripture readings: John 3:3-7 and Luke 24:44-48

Hear "Five Smooth Stones"
Sermon of June 25, 2006
Scripture readings: Samuel 17:48-49 and Mark 4:35-40

Hear "Keeping In Touch"
Sermon of August 27, 2006
Scripture readings: Joshua 24: 1-2; 14-15 and John 6: 66-68

Hear "It's Personal"
Sermon of 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 of December 3, 2006
Scripture readings: Micah 4:2b-4; 14-15 and Revelation 21:3-5a

Hear "What Herod didn't do"
Sermon of December 17, 2006
Scripture readings: Isaiah 12:2-3

Hear "In the beginning"
Sermon of December 31, 2006
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:1 and John 3:1-6

Hear "Where to Find Peace?"
Sermon of January 14, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 111 and Luke 2:25-33

Hear "Angels" [Popular!]
Sermon of April 29, 2007
or read it as a PDF file
Scripture readings: Psalm 34 and Isaiah 2:2-3

Hear "Here We Are Lord"
Sermon of May 6, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 100 and Mark 1:16-20

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

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

Hear "Choices"
Sermon of July 29, 2007
Scripture readings: Micah 6:8 and Matthew 7:15-23

Hear "Bad Grapes"
Sermon of August 19, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 5: 1-4 and Luke 12: 49-53

Hear "Growing Up"
Sermon of September 9, 2007
Scripture readings: Psalm 1 and Romans 7:19

Hear "Lost Treasures"
Sermon of September 16, 2007
Scripture readings: Exodus 32:1, 7-14 and Luke 15:1-7

Hear "Don't Believe Everything You Think"
Sermon of October 14, 2007
Scripture readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Luke 17:11-19

Hear "On The Mountain"
Sermon of October 28, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 25:6-10 and John 6:35

Hear "Thank You"
Sermon of November 18, 2007
Scripture readings: Micah 6:8 and Luke 12:32-34

Hear "The Process Of Peace"
Sermon of December 2, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44

Hear "Heavenly Joy"
Sermon of December 16, 2007
Scripture readings: Isaiah 35:5-8 and Matthew 11:2-5

Hear "Where Do We Live?"
Sermon of January 27, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 27:1-4 and Matthew 4:18-22

Hear "Holy Water"
Sermon of January 27, 2008
Scripture readings: Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:13-14

Hear "Complete Love & Joy"
Sermon of March 3, 2008
Scripture readings: John 15:9-12 and 1 John 4:7-8; 11-12

Hear "Complete Love & Joy"
Sermon of March 9, 2008
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:32-44

Hear "What Do We See?"
Sermon of April 6, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 116:1-9 and Luke 24:30-32

Hear "Hearts Untroubled"
Sermon of April 20, 2008
Scripture readings: Psalm 100 and John 14:1-3

Hear "Pause..."
Sermon of May 4, 2008
Scripture readings: Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-5

Sermons and Spiritual Messages
by Lay and Ordained Members of the Congregation and Guests

Occasionally lay members of the congregation preach the lesson. A selection of lay sermons follows:

Read "The Lord's Prayer - In Unison, Slowly, and Thoughtfully"
Sermon by Kathy Speas

Read "The Promise of Progeny"
Sermon by Kim Hinrichs, August 12, 2001

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

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

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

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

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

Read "In the Beginning"
Sermon by Kathy Speas, January 12, 2003

Read "A Story of Discipleship"
Sermon by Alison Baxter, January 19, 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 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 Rev. Kim Hinrichs, August 31, 2003

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

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

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

Read "An Open Book"
Sermon by Bill Danz, October 17, 2004

Hear "Deciding for Divinity"
Sermon by Rodrigo Marcus, January 2, 2005
We move closer to God — "Choosing God" — not only when we intentionally look for the Divine behind creation, but also when we intend loving thoughts and feelings towards others, even if we have to fake it . . . until we make it.
Scripture readings: Isaiah 52:7-10 and Luke 2:25-32

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"
Sermon by Rev. Kim Hinrichs, January 23, 2005 or read it here.
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 "Being There"
Sermon by 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 "Beyond Hosanna"
Sermon by Rev. Kathy Speas, March 20, 2005
Scripture readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Matthew 21:1-11

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

Hear "Eyes for the Seeing"
Sermon by 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 Rev. Sage S. Rohrer, November 13, 2005
Scripture readings: Matthew 25:12-30 and Psalm 90

Read "Fathers, Sons, and Daughters: Love and Truth"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, March 26, 2006
Scripture readings: Exodus 3:13-15 and John 8:31-34

Read "The Dress Rehearsal"
Sermon by Alex Lindsay, May 28, 2006
Scripture readings: Matthew 6:19-21

Read "What Stops Us?"
Sermon by Janet Council, 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

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

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

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

Read "The Home of God Among Mortals"
Sermon by Jeff Munnis, January 7, 2007
Scripture readings: Genesis 3: 3-5, 8-10 and Revelation 21:1-8

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

Read "Finding God, Finding Ourselves... In Fractals"
Sermon by 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 Rev. Lana Sandahl, April 1, 2007
Scripture readings: Luke 19: 28-40 and Psalm 118: 1-2; 19-24

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

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

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"
Sermon by Swedenborgian Scholar Jane Williams-Hogan, Ph.D., July 8, 2007 or read it here.
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.
Scripture readings: Isaiah 30: 1-3 and Luke 18: 15-17

Hear "Respecting Authority"
Sermon by Joy T. Barnitz, Ph.D., July 1, 2007 or or read it here.
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.
Scripture readings: 1 Kings 12: 6-8 and John 18: 33-37

Hear "Virtual Reality and the Burning Bush"
Sermon by 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 "Weeds Amongst The Wheat"
Sermon by 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

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 "Asking The Wrong Question"
Sermon by 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.

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

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

Hear "Epiphany"
Sermon by Robert McDermott, Ph.D., January 6, 2008
Scripture readings: Matthew 2:9-12 and Luke 2:8-16
Robert McDermott, Ph.D., has served as president emiratus and is a current faculty member at California Institute of Integral Studies. He is also Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY), where he was chair of the philosophy department and of the program in religion and culture. Prior to his coming to CIIS, he taught philosophy and comparative religion for 27 years: seven years at Manhattanville College (1964-71), and 20 years at Baruch College (1971-90). Robert has been the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships, and professional honors, including a Fulbright grant for study and travel in India (1966) and a position as senior Fulbright lecturer at the Open University, England (1975-76) where he was advisor and contributing editor to sixteen films on "Man's Religious Quest." With the support of Laurance S. Rockefeller, he has co-directed a four-year project, "The Recovery of Thinking in Philosophy, Science, and Education." Robert is editor of The Essential Aurobindo (1988) and The Essential Steiner (1984). He was a keynote speaker at the 1988 conference in Tarrytown, New York, celebrating the tricentennial of Swedenborg's birth.

Hear "Wait. Listen. Get Up."
Sermon by 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 Rev. Kim Henrichs, February 17, 2008
Scripture readings: Genesis 1:14-19 and Luke 15:3-7

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

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

A sermon in response to Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ by Rev. Lee Woofenden, pastor of the Swedenborgian Church in Bridgewater, Massachusetts:

Read "The Inner Passion of The Christ" - April 4, 2004