First Presbyterian Church Of San Anselmo

Lesson: Revelation 4: 6b-11. "The community set up by Jesus, a universal community of every nation, every language and every people, created by his witness of nonviolent love, forgiveness, gratitude, inclusion of the outcast, justice for the poor and joy is a community that sings praise to God..."

Lesson: Psalm 150. "Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free..." Diana Bell tells the story of this original Shaker tune, later made famous through Aaron Copeland's recording, as we continue to explore our favorite hymns this summer..

Lesson: Psalm 90-11-17. "Oh God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Be thou our guide, while life shall last, and our eternal home."

Luke 15:1-10. The hymn, "Amazing Grace", produced in the face of sin and desolation, reminds us powerfully, in that healing way that only music can, that God never, ever, ever gives up on us.

Lessons: Psalm 147, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. I’ve long had the theory that most Christians get their theology from the hymnal – that people believe what they sing in church. And in fact, hymns are theology. They are words about God. So, taking an in-depth look at the hymns we sing is actually important theological study. And that is the study we’re undertaking this summer.

Twice every year, the Choir proclaims the Word of God through music. Instead of a sermon this Sunday, we heard the Requiem as it was originally conceived—with a small chamber orchestra, intended to be performed in a church (as opposed to a large concert hall with a full orchestra)

Lessons: Psalm 29: 1-4 and Isaiah 6:1-13. In this familiar and vivid passage, we think about what it means when God asks, "whom shall i send?"

Lesson Acts 2: 1-21. Today on our 2000th-plus birthday, some might wonder whether we’re beginning to look our age. Maybe we didn’t wear enough sunscreen; maybe we’ve spent too much time being couch potatoes; because in case you hadn’t heard, sitting is the new smoking.

Lessons: Mark 9: 30 -32 and Mark 10: 13 -16. We are called to become like children before God, who is waiting for us!

Lesson: Acts 10:44-48. God's word to Peter: "Every one of you is more the same than you are different." God knows no partiality. No partiality. Peter declares that we cannot withhold the symbols of inclusion in the church from anyone who so obviously shows the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This hits us – the church – where we live right now.

Lesson: John 15: 9-17. Though it may require bumper sticker slogans, silly songs, do what ever you can to remember that God loves you. Even remember the words of Fred Rogers, from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood who once said, “when I tell children at the end of my program they are special, I mean it. Because they made it a special day by just being you. There’s no person in the whole world like you. And God loves you just the way you are.”

Lessons: Psalm 23, John 10:11-18. A reflection on the 23rd Psalm. The Lord is our Shepherd...the Lord gives us shepherds...the Lord makes us shepherds.

Lesson: Luke 24:36b-48. During the headlining set by rappers Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival last Sunday, a surprise guest showed up and stole the show--Tupac Shakur. Whatever it was, you can be certain that no one in the audience believed they were seeing and hearing the actual Tupac Shakur, returned from the dead.

Holy Humor Sunday is an old Easter custom begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity celebrating Jesus’ resurrection with joy and laughter. We carry on this tradition with our own unique flair on the Sunday after Easter.

Lesson: Isaiah 40:21-31. A colleague once told me he hoped to write a book someday called, “It Isn’t in the Bible.” It would cover those quotations and words of wisdom that people believe are Scripture – but they aren’t. Like, “God helps those who help themselves.” Not in the Bible...