First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Who's in Charge Here? -- Philippians 2:1-12 (7th Sunday After Pentecost)

God is sovereign by sharing God’s own freedom with us, urging us to live out the self-giving love of Christ.

Everyone Belongs -- Ephesians 2:11-22 (6th Sunday After Pentecost)

In Christ, we are citizens of a new humanity, where all of us belong and participate in the fullness of life. Citizenship is about belonging – that deepest of human needs. And citizenship is about the quality of participation that we put back into the community into which we all have been welcomed.

Kindred Spirits & Bosom Friends -- 1 Samuel 18:1-8, 20:1-22 (5th Sunday After Pentecost)

In a world that would tear them apart, Jonathan and David choose a better way. Friendship is a chosen relationship with another person in which we come to agree to see and be seen by the other; to act for the other’s good; to be present with each other in challenge and struggle; and to be a loving place to which we can always return. In a world that would separate and tear folks apart, God gives us friendship as a way of living out, with each other, God’s own love and loyalty – God’s own hes...

"Created Equal" -- 1 Samuel 15:35-16:13 (4th Sunday After Pentecost)

Juneteenth calls us to remember and celebrate freedom and liberation, but also insists that we remember slavery and its continuing impact on our world today. God creates us all equally human, and insists that we work for the freedom and equality of all. 

Presence & Peace -- Matthew 28:16-20; Philippians 4:4-7 (2nd Sunday After Pentecost; Rev. Bev Brewster, preaching)

“It Will Not Be Over Until We Talk” --- Luke 7:1-10 (Trinity Sunday; Nick Morris, preaching)

A Tale of Wind and Flame -- Acts 2:1-21 (Pentecost Sunday)

Pentecost is a tale of wind and flame that becomes flesh and bone before our very eyes and ears – one that we can touch and taste and experience in our very bodies. While the day of Pentecost begins in the loneliness of loss and separation, in its mighty wind and crown of flame, we see connection – God and us – us and us. No separation – a leveling of power-over, a lifting up of all we are, and a radiating out so that no one is left out.

"And the Chains Fell Off" -- Acts 12:1-10, 18-21 (7th Sunday of Easter)

The Way of Resurrection is “enfleshed freedom” – an end to every separation and the freedom of every body. By the power of the Spirit, the Way of Resurrection moves us ever and always into more healing, more freedom, more life.

No Separation, Part 2 -- Acts 10 (6th Sunday of Easter)

Radiating out with God’s expansive embrace, the Way of Resurrection unfolds in the complexity of human relationship – in the complexity of community.

No Separation -- Acts 8: 26-39 (5th Sunday of Easter)

In the Way of Resurrection, the Spirit radiates out in ever-expanding circles of embrace. In the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, we see that God welcomes everyone all the way in.

Stretch Out Your Hand -- Acts 3:1-10, 4:23-31 (4th Sunday of Easter)

The "Way of Resurrection" is embodied in us. In the Body of the Risen Christ, "Stretch out your hand to heal and bring to life signs and wonders in the name of Jesus."

"Witnesses" -- Luke 24:36b-48 (Rev. Eric Beene, preaching; 3rd Sunday in Easter)

We are witnesses to the Resurrection in what we have seen and heard, and in the lives we live.

Life, Love, and Abounding Grace -- John 20:1-18; 21:15-19 (Easter Sunday)

The Good News of Easter Morning is a Word of life, love, and abounding grace.

Yes and No -- John 12:12-19, John 18:15-27 (Palm Sunday/ Passion Sunday)

As the Hosannas! of Palm Sunday fade, and as the NOs of Holy Week begin to build, Jesus continues to say YES.

The Time Peter Got It Right... and Then Didn't -- Matthew 16:13-25 (4th Sunday of Lent)

Jesus is the Christ we follow into the suffering of the world, who raises us up into life.

"Rescue Us from Danger" -- Matthew 14:22-33 (3rd Sunday in Lent)

Out of our fear, Jesus calls us to take courage, trust, and walk out into the storm – like Jesus, with Jesus – to sink and rise up again.

Teach Us How to Find Forgiveness -- Matthew 18:15-22 (Rev. Marissa Danney, preaching; Second Sunday in Lent)

Forgiveness can come to life in many forms. Jesus encourages us that we can find (and extend) forgiveness in more ways than we think.

"Jesus Sought Me" -- Luke 5:1-11 (First Sunday in Lent)

Jesus seeks out and calls Peter (and us) into relationship - into community that embodies good news for the poor, healing for every hurt, and freedom from every oppression.

When What Is Before Us Is Beyond Us -- Mark 9:2-9 (Transfiguration Sunday)

In experiences that are beyond us, God is always bigger, always stronger, always moving the world toward justice, healing, and peace.

Quite a Full Day -- Mark 1:29-39 (5th Sunday After Epiphany)

Embodying good news, Jesus heals, and takes on the powers, and takes a breath, and keeps on moving.

The Sounds of God Calling -- 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (4th Sunday After Epiphany)

God is always calling us, always inviting us to pay attention, listen, and live.

Glad News -- Psalm 40 (3rd Sunday After Epiphany) (Rev. Dvera Hadden, preaching)

What glad news of justice do you bring to the world?

"No Ways Tired" -- Exodus 17:1-11 (2nd Sunday After Epiphany)

On the wilderness road to freedom, God supports and sustains the weary. God encourages us to join the hard work of freedom with humility and mutuality, in ways that also help create some rest for the weary.

World, Interrupted -- Mark 1:1-11 (Epiphany & Baptism of the Lord Sunday)

Jesus interrupts a world already in progress, and turns power on its head.

And Not Long After That Night -- Luke 2:22-40 (First Sunday of Christmas)

Simeon and Anna hold the Christ child and proclaim: This is God’s saving help come yet again, once for all – light and liberation for all people.

The Joy of That Night -- Luke 1:1-20 (4th Sunday of Advent; Christmas Eve)

With folks all around the world, today is the day we tell the story: In the birth of the Christ, the fresh presence of God comes to life in the fullness of humanity.

"Joy Notwithstanding" -- Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 1:46b-55 (Third Sunday of Advent)

Joy is “the fresh presence of God... the fresh action of God,” rising up from the steady and sure saving action of God across all time. Joy is God’s forever longing for human flourishing. In this sermon, we consider “joy because” of the goodness we experience in life, “joy notwithstanding” the challenges and sorrow of life, and “joy against” everything that seeks to harm human flourishing.

"With Those Who Work or Watch or Weep" -- Mark 13:24-37 (1st Sunday of Advent)

In a hurting world, Jesus invites us to keep watch for the Advent of God in every moment, as together we make the long journey toward joy.

"Who Do You Say I Am?" -- Isaiah 56:3-8 & Luke 9:18-20

Listen in as Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr preaches at First Pres San Anselmo.

A Place of Thanksgiving -- Psalm 78:1-8, Philippians 1:2-11 (Thanksgiving Sunday; 24th Sunday After Pentecost)

Our experience of grace and gratitude is not in any way bound or determined or limited by circumstance. In Jesus Christ, God’s grace reaches us and embraces us even in the mire and the muck.

The Life We Live on Tuesday -- Matthew 23:1-12 (23rd Sunday After Pentecost)

God’s New Creation comes to life, not just in the words we say and sing on Sunday, but in the life we live on Tuesday.

"A Crowded Cosmos" -- Revelation 7:9-21 (All Saints' Sunday; 22nd Sunday After Pentecost)

God embodies God’s love for the world in the communion of the saints, all of us embraced, drawn together in one Body.  All Saints Day gives us a moment to look back in gratitude, forward in hope, and present in the intention to live so that everyone can be free.

Holy Questions - Lev. 19:1-2, 15-18, Matt. 22:34-45 (Rev. Dvera Hadden, preaching)

There is a place for you here if you come with questions- about Scripture, about community, about how to live well in the world.  There is a place for you here to learn and grow through questions.  

Life in a Body -- Romans 12:1-8 (21st Sunday After Pentecost

"In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Whoever you are, wherever you are, in the Body of Christ, there is a place for you... here.

Who Will We Be? -- Philippians 4:4-14 (20th Sunday After Pentecost)

In Christ, creation groans in suffering and in hope. In the body of Christ, climate collapse invites us into a practice of reverence, relinquishment, reconciliation, restoration, resilience, and resistance. The sermon included a presentation of Peter Anderson's photos from Standing Rock, which you can see and hear on the worship video (available on our YouTube page): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxUkkhUz8d0WpU50H87N1Eb3-fnu0We11 

Somewhere Between Despair and Hope -- Jeremiah 12:10-13; Romans 8:18-27 (19th Sunday After Pentecost)

In 2023, as we think of the Earth as our home, we live somewhere between despair and hope. Even as we are honest about the severity of climate disruption, the place for us here is always our place in the Body of Christ – an integrated, interconnected part of all creation – the New Creation – groaning as we birth together something new.

Companions on the Way -- Genesis 18:1-10; Matthew 20:1-16 (17th Sunday After Pentecost)

As we accompany and extend hospitality to each other, God creates a world of welcome, where everyone is seen as fully human and everyone has enough.

A People on the Move -- Lev. 19:1-4, 33-37; Matthew 2:23-33 (16th Sunday After Pentecost)

In a world of people on the move, God insists that we love and shelter the stranger. Throughout history and around the world today, God accompanies us as we accompany each other.

"A Place for You Here" -- Romans 12:9-21 (15th Sunday After Pentecost)

 In the Body of Christ, love comes to life – as we love with integrity, share in the deep need of the world, and practice hospitality.

A Good Day's Work -- Matthew 14:13-21 (14th Sunday After Pentecost; Labor Day Weekend)

Jesus invites us in to work healing and feeding, bringing to life a world of possibility. As Jesus feeds the multitude, Jesus brings the disciples to work, invites them into the building of a brave new world, and says to them: “All this healing, all this feeding, all this life –this is the work that is ours to do together.”

Singing the Songbook of Life -- Psalm 1 (13th Sunday After Pentecost)

The Psalms take us on a journey through the whole of life – and what we find – again and again – everywhere we look – is the goodness of God. The invitation that the Psalms extend is this: Like a tree planted by streams of water, sink your roots deep, and live.

And What About Those Angry Psalms? -- Psalm 109 (12th Sunday After Pentecost)

God – in God’s goodness and steadfast love – stands with the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed, in the place of deepest need. In our anger, God invites us to stand there too. The imprecatory psalms point us to the deep pain in the world; they point us to the peril of our propensity for violence; and they point us – through all that – to seek the goodness of God, who is always standing there, in the place of deepest need.

A Recipe for Spiritual Hydration -- Psalm 63 (Rev. Marissa Danney, preaching; 11th Sunday After Pentecost)

"My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?" -- Psalm 22 & Matthew 27:45-54 (10th Sunday After Pentecost)

From the cross, Jesus cries out in the lament of the psalms, and brings us into a new song for a new creation and a brave new world.

So Help Me God -- Psalms 56 and 103 (8th Sunday After Pentecost)

When we pray out of our pain, God is listening, and God is for us. In the psalms of lament, we pray in response to the God we have come to know – to the God who has loved us first – and we ask for help.

So Help Me God -- Psalms 56 and 103 (9th Sunday After Pentecost)

When we pray out of our pain, God is listening, and God is for us. In the psalms of lament, we pray in response to the God we have come to know – to the God who has loved us first – and we ask for help.

Fear and Faith -- Psalm 46; Mark 4:35-41 (Rev. Paul Gaffney, preaching; 8th Sunday After Pentecost)

Fear and Faith -- Psalm 46; Mark 4:35-41 (Rev. Paul Gaffney, preaching; 7th Sunday After Pentecost)

"Sing a New Song" -- Psalms of Praise -- Psalms 146-150 (7th Sunday After Pentecost)

We praise to name and acknowledge God’s goodness in the world, more powerful than anything that does us harm. “We praise God in order to see the world as God does,” and then to say “Yes!” to helping God make it so.

Do We Really Want to Be Known? -- Psalm 139 (6th Sunday After Pentecost)

God searches us, knows us, and loves us still.  God creates us, challenges us, recreates us – always in love. Psalm 139 comforts us and unsettles us, and asks: Do we really want to be known?