The Word and the words
Sermons are like smoke signals. Fire is a gift from the heavens, but it takes effort to keep the embers glowing, to build the flames hot enough. The wood must be green. The wet blankets must be lowered and lifted at the right moment. But if no one is watching the sky, you might as well be roasting marshmellows. (credit Barbara Brown Taylor, When God is Silent, for this metaphor!)
Every week at FGUC, we explore some aspect of God-who-is-loose-in-the-world - the wonders and joy; the purposes and passion, the hope and disappointments; the sorrow and laments; the freedom and disciplines; the history and future, the stories and experience ... .
Sometimes we use smoke-signal words; sometimes the ecumenical act of silence. Sometimes we employ film, or food, or the muscularity of drama or dance to "say" what we mean. Sometimes the song of the Divine (with kindness the harmony, justice the beat) vibrates in the trickle of water, the taste of bread, the telling of a neighbour, the touch of a hand. Almost always you'll walk away with a metaphor, or a story, that can mend y/our world. (credit Peter Mayer, Stirring up the Water, for his lyrical inspiration)
Sample sermons soon will be available in this web site for you to try out. Some of them are even "Royal Georges," which we hope will bless you. But they are words, not The Word. You are invited to join us in person, and participate in the communal act of language, learning, and living that is meeting The Mystery of the Holy.
(p.s. - a Royal George is what one Presbyterian grandmother called a really good message!)
