Sermons on Genesis

As we finish the book of Genesis this week, we turn to the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50.) Joseph was a great-grandson of Abraham and Sarah and one of the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel. He was favored by his father, Jacob, but his other brothers were jealous of him, conspired to kill him, and ended up selling him into slavery. Still, throughout difficult and complicated circumstances, a common thread weaving Joseph’s story together is that “The Lord was with Joseph.” (39:2). Sometimes it is in the most complex situations that we experience more intimacy with God. As we prepare for worship this week consider: What circumstances hinder your sense that God is with you? What helps you be more aware of and realize God’s presence?

Sunday, October 22.  Traditions online worship service. This Sunday, as we continue on in our reading of the book of Genesis, we recall that Isaac was the long-awaited promised son given to Abraham and Sarah late in life. Last week, we studied the promise God made to Abraham that through his descendants, all the world would be blessed. Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons Esau and Jacob are part of that promise as Abraham’s grandchildren. Join us as we follow these brothers and Jacob in particular as he struggles to discover God’s grace and promise and find ourselves in Jacob’s story, too! Genesis 25:19-34, 27:41-45, 28:10-22, 32:22-33:4

Sunday, October 15.  Traditions online worship service. This week, our journey through the book of Genesis reaches a key turning point. In the stories of Creation, the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel and Noah and the flood, God has been relating to humans through individual communion. Now, beginning in Genesis 12 and following, we learn how the people of God become a family through Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah and through their descendants. Join us in person or online as we learn from Abraham’s family journey. Genesis 12:1-9

Sunday, October 8.  Traditions online worship service. Scripture tells us that as people began to multiply on the earth, humankind was filled with wickedness (Genesis 6:5). Only Noah was found to be righteous and blameless (6:9) Imagine that you are Noah and God tells you that you and your family will be saved but that you will need to build a ship that will take all your time (120 years!) and it will make you appear delusional to everyone around you. And yet, Noah was obedient, tending to an unthinkable task without objection or doubt because he “walked with God.” (6:9) Genesis 6-9

Sunday, September 24.  Traditions online worship service. As we consider the With-God life, we begin with the book of beginnings, Genesis. You are encouraged to read Genesis chapters 1-3 this week in preparation for worship. In the beginning, God creates the world and places the first humans into the Garden of Eden to work and care for it. Adam and Eve experience partnership and encounter God face-to-face. Adam and Eve were given the freedom to make their own choices and soon separated themselves from God and must face the consequence of their choices. Genesis 1-3