Sermon for September 3, 2023
Pastor Jenna Bergeson

"Embracing the Divine Struggle Within"

Pastor Jenna delves into the theme of evil, urging us to recognize and overcome the internal struggles we all face. Biblical figures like Satan and Lucifer have a complicated and multifaceted history, but through baptism, God has given us the power to acknowledge and conquer the "little devils" within ourselves by surrendering to God's transformative love.

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Lectionary 22, Year A
14th Sunday after Pentecost

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.