Sermon recordings from Niantic Community Church (www.nianticcommunitychurch.org) http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/rave/sermons.html en-us © 2010 Niantic Community Church Niantic Community Church Niantic Community Church: an Open, Affirming, and Reconciling congregation of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church -- brings you its weekly dynamic and inspirational sermons. For more details on our mission and ministry, please visit our webpage at www.nianticcommunitychurch.org Niantic Community Church nianticcommchurch@sbcglobal.net Fri, 7 May 2010 11:00:00 -0400 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0400 God's alternative vision is entirely unrealistic. That's the point! It's extra-ordinary enough to pull us out of whatever muck we're in; strange enough to unite irreconcilable opposites. God's alternative is a new story that will transform each of our lives. A sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Advent by the Rev. John A. Nelson. http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up" -- so how do we respond? We can't get ourselves organized enough: it's not humanly possible. But God has a way for us. A sermon on 1 Peter 4:7-11 http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "With God, caring becomes compassion. That means a willingness to share suffering, to lighten the load. In Hebrew the word for compassion is "wombs": when we care, we unite ourselves with the One who is giving the world new life." A sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson A sermon for All Saints Day, by the Rev. John A. Nelson. http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "A packing list is liberating and reassuring. Once we are off and on our way, we want to be prepared. But sometimes preparing ourselves gets in the way of following Jesus, and keeps us from experiencing God's realm." A sermon on Luke 9:1-11, by the Rev. John A. Nelson. http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "The Bible takes us into the territory of one of Israel’s implacable enemies: the kingdom of Aram. Not just anywhere in Aram, but right into the house of the leading general. This man — whom we can only think of as a powerful foe — this man, Naaman, has been brought low by a skin ailment." A sermon on 2 Kings 5 by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson A sermon on faith and sexuality by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson ""It's clear that the rich man paid no attention to the suffering of Lazarus, and ended up paying the price. It's equally clear to me that none of us is in the position of the rich man. So we are in the enviable position of spectating: and what a spectacle!" A sermon on Luke 16:19-31 and Genesis 17, 18, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "We begin with a dishonest and lazy man, and at the end there’s no indication he’s reformed. So what does change?" A sermon on Luke 16:1-13, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "As much as we might want to get back something that’s gone missing -- God has that same desire, that same longing. Only God gets that way when we go missing...." A sermon by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "Sometimes the Bible gives hope and encouragement. Like in the 139th Psalm: 'It was You who created my conscience; You fashioned me in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am awesomely, wondrously made.' But there are places where the Bible apparently takes a dim view of humanity. Just look at the image Jeremiah uses...." A sermon by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "The idea for this sermon began with reflections on one of the most basic stories of our faith: the one that begins everything, with the miracle of God’s creating order out of chaos, light out of no light, life out of no life...." A sermon on Genesis 1, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "Be ready at any hour? 24/7? How can anyone sustain that? I know Jesus is demanding, but this seems beyond human possibility. ...." A sermon on Luke 12:32-40, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "I would venture a guess that this scripture might not be what most churchgoers were expecting. Hosea's prophecy would be unlikely to make the list of favorite Bible passages...." A sermon on Hosea 1:2-10, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "She was only asking for a little help, not a miracle...." A sermon on Luke 10:38-42, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "It's good to be back where I belong to others, and others belong to me...." A sermon on Luke 10:25-37, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "Have you ever been well and truly lost? On Pentecost God gives a kind of divine GPS: the birthday gift of the church." A sermon on Acts 2:1-21, by the Rev. John A. Nelson http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson "Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? It can have freeing power.... A sermon on Acts 16:16-34." http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson She was a bright and inquisitive child: one of seven children born to a successful banker in the early 19th century. We know her best for a campfire spiritual sung by Union soldiers: 'Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord....' A sermon on Acts 16:9-15 http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson From closed to open: a sermon on repentance and forgiveness. http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson The woman’s name was Tabitha (in Hebrew). Luke was writing in Greek, so he translated and called her Dorcas. We might as well follow the tradition: in English, her name was Gazelle.... http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson Saul of Tarsus was blasted by a blinding light, struck silly and sightless. But what about the men who were traveling with him? http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson Have you ever heard or read a story that you did not want to end? But at the same time it was so engrossing that you couldn’t put it down? http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson The gospel story hits us over the head with “but.” For those who are counting: six of them, in twelve verses. But, but, but, but, but, but. One reality ends; another begins.... http://www.nianticcommunitychurch.org/Sermons/sermons.html John A. Nelson