Sunday, December 13

We continue our Advent theme "Standing Up in Faith." This week we hear a beautiful promise of restoration and healing from the prophet Isaiah, a promise that Jesus quotes when he begins his own ministry. We'll listen for how we are called to bring good news, bind up the brokenhearted, and work for God's vision of justice and flourishing in our world today.


Sunday, December 6

We hear from the prophet Joel, who speaks to the people of Jerusalem in a time of great trouble and promises them that the Spirit will give them visions and dreams for the future. As we face troubling times in our world today, we listen to young people within our congregation--Genevieve Guertin, Maddy Lovett, and Charlie Grimm--as they share some of their dreams for the future.

Sunday, November 29

We begin our Advent season "Standing Up in Faith." This Sunday we welcome LOUCC member Rev. Elizabeth Durant as our guest preacher. Liz will draw from the story of the prophet Daniel and Psalm 130 to examine "Standing Up for Religious Freedom." On this first Sunday after Thanksgiving, Liz will explore the limits on the religious freedoms of indigenous/First Nations peoples and how that still echoes today in the ordinances of the city of Lake Oswego. Together, we'll listen for a way forward through God's forgiveness and hope.

Sunday, November 22

We hear of God's grace and abiding love as the prophet Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant that God will write on our hearts. In the midst of difficult circumstances, God promises the people of Israel--and us--transformation through love and relationship. How does this transformation shape our lives and our practices of gratitude and generosity?

Sunday, November 15

We continue in the narrative lectionary with the call of the Prophet Isaiah. Like many prophets in scripture, Isaiah initially resists the call; yet, God equips and empowers Isaiah for the call he is given. How is God inviting us to step into this present moment in our time? What are the gifts that God has given us, and how is God calling and equipping us to share our gifts—time, talent, passions, and treasure—for what the world needs now?

Sunday, November 8

We continue in the narrative lectionary and our theme "Standing up as People of Faith." We hear the story of Jonah, a reluctant prophet sent to preach God's word among Israel's enemies in Nineveh. Confounded and bitter at God's compassion to the Ninevites, this story invites us to consider how we perceive enemies in our lives today. On this post-election Sunday, how do we hang on to God' grace and compassion even as we face very real divisions in our nation?

Sunday, November 1

We celebrate All Saints Day and remember God's invitation to care for others in an intergenerational service. As part of our service, we'll hear from some of the living saints in our church --Cami and Luke Oh, Antjuanece Brown, Clayton Crowhurst, Kurt Munson, and Wana Maurer. They'll share about people in their lives who have taught them about caring for others and share stories about how they care for others in their own lives

Sunday, October 25

We hear a story about King David and God's faithful covenant. Whereas David is ready to build God a temple, God shows David that God has other plans for how to make God's presence known--namely through the people. We'll listen for how God meets us when our plans go awry, and how we can trust in God's faithfulness in these tumultuous times.

Sunday, October 18

We continue our journey through the Narrative Lectionary and our theme "Standing Up as People of Faith." This week we hear the poignant and powerful story of Hannah, who demonstrates courage and commitment in standing up for the future she longs for. We'll listen to the voices of modern day Hannahs, those in our community and nation crying out for a new future.

Sunday, October 11

We pick up with the Narrative lectionary and hear the story of the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf. We'll hear how anxiety drives them to make some hasty decisions and talk about how anxiety is functioning in our lives today. We'll also listen for how God may be inviting us to tear down some of the golden calves that our society has built over time.


Sunday, September 20

We continue our journey into Year 3 of the Narrative Lectionary. This week we move into the stories of Abraham and wrestle with a difficult story about power, privilege and exclusion. When God's promise of decendents doesn't come as quickly as Abraham and Sarah hope, they force Sarah's servant Hagar into surrogacy and then exclude her when she conceives. Yet God seeks out Hagar and blesses her. We listen for what this story can teach us about inclusion, courage, antiracism, and working for justice in our world.

Sunday, September 13

Join us Sunday, September 13, as we begin our new program year with the theme "Standing Up as People of Faith." We start year 3 of the Narrative Lectionary, this week focusing on Genesis 2 and 3 with the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. We'll listen for what these ancient stories tell us about our sense of connection, disconnection, and longing for re-connection, and how that relates to "Standing Up as People of Faith." We'll also have a special Back to School blessing for our students, families, and teachers. See you on Sunday! 

Sunday, August 16

We continue our "Unraveled' series in the book of Exodus as we hear Moses's famous words to Pharaoh "Let my people go." With a hardened heart, Pharaoh doubles down on his enslavement of the Hebrew people, and we witness the escalation of God's call for liberation in the face of Pharaoh's call for oppression. We explore how this story relates to our world, lives, and own hearts today.


Sunday, August 9

We continue our "Unraveled" series and explore the story of the birth of Moses. Born into a time of state-sanctioned slavery and genocide, we'll hear how five women worked to resist the Pharaoh and his policies, in order to protect Moses and other vulnerable Hebrew children. We bring that story into conversation with John Lewis and his op-ed piece from last week's New York Times, as we consider it what it means to resist and work for the vulnerable today.

Sunday, August 2

We welcome Rev. Jennie Ott back from her vacation, and continue our exploration of the Unraveled series in our intergenerational Sunday service. We hear the story of how God tested the ability of the Israelites to follow God's instructions as they leave Egypt. They were asked to trust that God would provide enough food for them, but they must take only what they need each day. We find out how the people learn to trust and follow God's instructions during their 40-year journey to the land of Canaan. Margaret Fleming and Katie Diaz share a reflection during the sermon time.