Harvard Avenue Christian Church

The Gift of Desperation {Palm Sunday}

text :: Matthew 21: 1 – 11 preaching :: Rev David Emery For video of worship, go to www.hacctulsa.org/worship/sermons

Prepare :: delight

+ Welcome & Call to Worship :: Rev. Courtney Richards + Pastoral Prayer :: Rev. Kevin Howe + The Lord’s Prayer + Reflection :: ‘shifting toward delight’ :: Rev. Howe + ‘Precious Lord’ (Dorsey) :: Avenue; Barry Epperly, director + Scripture :: Isaiah 58: 1 – 14 :: Rev. Richards + Reflection :: ‘Prepare : […]

Prepare :: rebuilding

+ Welcome & Call to Worship :: Rev. Kevin Howe + Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer :: Rev. Darlene Martinez + Scripture :: Isaiah 58: 1 – 12 :: Rev. Courtney Richards + Reflection :: “prepare: rebuilding” :: Rev. Howe + ‘It Is Well with My Soul’ (H.Spafford) :: Kelly Ford, tenor; Mark DeLuca, piano […]

Prepare :: satisfaction

+ Welcome & Call to Worship :: Rev. Courtney Richards + ‘Sanctuary’  ::  Rev. Kevin Howe + “Pandemic” (Lynn Ungar 3-11-20)  ::  Rev. Darlene Martinez + Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer :: Rev. Howe + ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ :: Kelly Ford and Mark DeLuca + from ‘For Courage’ (John O’Donohue)  ::  Rev. Martinez + Reflection  […]

Prepare :: healing

text :: Isaiah 58: 1 – 9a theme verse :: “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly…” (Isa 58:8) // What light has God placed in us? What obstacle and interference has kept it covered? What practices can we engage to bring healing and hope? Where […]

Prepare :: freedom

text :: Isaiah 58: 1 – 7 theme verse :: “Is not this the fast that I choose … to let the oppressed go free?” (Isa 58:6) // Where do we need faithful freedom? What is keeping us from being fully alive in God’s presence? Where are we the ones blocking others from their full […]

Prepare :: in ashes {Ash Wednesday}

text :: Isaiah 58: 1 – 5 The forty-day journey to Easter invites us to be honest with God, and ourselves, about our sin and our hope, about our shortcomings and our holy longings. Ash Wednesday begins with a cry for mercy and a commitment to follow Jesus on the way. reader :: Rev Kevin […]

Much Love :: agape

text :: 1 John 4: 7 – 12 theme verse :: ‘No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.’ (1 Jn 4:12) // Sometimes love can be beyond all that we could ever expect of imagine. Agape (or divine love, as […]

Much Love :: eros

text :: Song of Solomon 8: 5 – 7 theme verse :: ‘Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.’ (Song 8:7) // Of all the things we talk about in church, love gets the most attention, and probably also the least. We’re not very good at talking about eros love – the […]

Much Love :: phileo

text :: Romans 12: 3 – 10 theme verse :: ‘…love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.’ (Rom 12:10) // We seem to understand that there is a sort of deepening of love between friends when we use a phrase like, “I love you like a brother/sister/sibling.” The Greek word […]

Much Love :: storge

text :: John 12: 1 – 8 theme verse :: ‘The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.’ (Jn 12:3b) // In the gospels, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus make multiple appearances, in different combinations. Jesus’ own family is named, of course. And he gathers a group of disciples to travel and work with […]

Vision :: 3-Be glasses

text :: Ephesians 3: 14 – 21 theme verse :: “…know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19) // If we step out on faith, following the star of Christ’s light; if we remember that a God who brought us this […]

Vision :: in focus

text :: Mark 10: 46 – 52 theme verse :: “Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.'” (Mk 10:51) // Sometimes it’s just hard to see: our eyes are tired; we’re not sitting close enough (or […]

Vision :: looking over our shoulder

text & theme verse :: Joshua 23:14 // In movies, when someone is being chased, it never fails that they look over the shoulder, lose their footing, and fall. But in real day-to-day life, on the usual journeys – and even the unusual ones – looking over our shoulder … remembering where we’ve been … […]

Vision :: stars in their eyes

text :: Matthew 2: 1 – 12 theme verse :: ‘For we have seen his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ (Mt 2:2b) // The traditional text for the first Sunday of January – Epiphany Sunday, marking the arrival of the magi at the manger – is from Matthew’s gospel. […]

Leaping Faith-fully into 2020

text :: Hebrews 11: 1 – 16 theme verse :: ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ (Heb 11:1) reader :: Bill Queen preaching :: Rev Kevin Howe

Pregnant Pause :: Afraid Not {Christmas Eve}

Rejoice Emmanuel :: Traditional Worship cantata

Christmas in Tune VI :: The Rising Worship concert

Pregnant Pause :: JOY in showing the way

text :: Matthew 11: 2 – 10 theme verse :: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ (Mt11:3) // We jump to story decades later, in Jesus’ adult life and ministry. It seems out of place in the Advent/Nativity theme, but it shows so clearly what Jesus […]

Pregnant Pause :: PEACE with who we are

text :: Matthew 1: 18 – 25 theme verse :: But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream … (Mt1:20) // It would have been so easy, perhaps even reasonable and likely, for Joseph to give a ‘hard pass’ to the massive assignment […]

Pregnant Pause :: HOPE – in the unexpected

text :: Matthew 1: 1 – 17 theme verse :: “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Mt1:1) // It’s a text that we skip quite often because it’s hard to read, but it’s here that we see just what it meant for the Divine […]

‘Tis A Gift {Thanksgiving Sunday}

text :: 1 Peter 4: 7-11 theme verse :: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” (1 Peter 4:10) // No sooner than we’ve cleared the Thanksgiving Day table, our attention turns to the irresistible deals of Black Friday. Looking for that […]

Generosity :: That Get Up

text :: Acts 9: 36 – 43 theme verse :: “Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’” (Acts 9:40) // The people of Joppa cared for Tabitha – a woman of generosity and talent, and a model of faith. […]

Generosity :: A Rogues’ Gallery

text :: Luke 18: 9 – 14 theme verse :: “…for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Lk 18:14) // ‘There but for the grace of God go I.’ It’s a quick and easy saying, thrown out usually to remind us and others of how good […]

Generosity :: Holy Prodigality!

text :: Isaiah 65: 17 – 25 // It is easy to let uncertainty guide our thoughts. The prophets reminded the people of God’s constancy and faithfulness. Even in moments where we are unsure of our capacity to give, or even of the need to do so, remembering God’s presence and steadfastness shows us that […]

Role Call :: to speak

text :: Romans 10: 8 – 17 theme verse :: “The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’” (Rom 10:11) // Having gathered in wider circles, heard the word from God in our midst, and been renewed and transformed because of God’s great love for us, all that’s left […]

Role Call :: to change

text :: Exodus 34: 27 – 35 theme verse :: “When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him.” (Ex 34:30) // Once we make room and gather, and take time listen to God’s voice, we come to understand that we […]

Role Call :: to listen

text :: 1 Kings 19: 9 – 14 theme verse :: “He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’” (1 Kgs 19:11) // As we were drawn to the table and invited to be part of all that God is doing in Christ […]

Role Call :: to make room

text : Luke 22: 14 – 27 theme verse : “When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.” (Lk 22:14) // If we’re going to consider our place in the world – our role to play in life’s master work – as people of faith, as those […]

Wisdom in Creation :: Life Lost, Life Gained

text :: John 12: 20-26 theme verse :: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) // Is it a ‘circle of life,’ or is it something even more profound? We […]

Wisdom in Creation :: Being in the World

text :: Ecclesiastes 3: 9-22 theme verse :: “He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Eccl 3:11) // On Being is a public radio show and […]

Wisdom in Creation :: Loving Diversity

text :: 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 26 theme verse :: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:12) // Our bodies are highly complex and intricate network of systems and features. […]

Wisdom in Creation :: Provision

text :: Psalm 104:24-35 theme verse :: “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (Ps 104:24) // Who’s caring for what and how is it to be cared for? The Psalmist names creation’s utter dependence of God to be the provider. […]

Wisdom in Creation :: Seeking Wisdom

text :: Proverbs 8: 22-36 theme verse :: “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord;” (Pr 8:35) // In Proverbs, wisdom is personified (Sophia), sharing alongside God in the creation of the cosmos. Lady wisdom also makes it known that listening to her is a matter of life or death. […]

the inBEtween :: Become.

text :: Luke 9: 10 – 17 theme verse :: “And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.” (Lk 9:16) // Our denomination’s General Minister and President, Rev Terri Hord Owens, recently said: […]

the inBEtween :: Believe.

text :: Mark 1: 14 – 15 theme verse :: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mk 1:15) // What do you believe? When the question is asked, we are usually prepared to offer some sort of mental checklist of ideas that […]

the inBEtween :: Be Loved

text :: Matthew 22: 34 – 40 theme verse :: “’Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’” (Mt 22:36) // Jesus says that those who follow him will love God and love their neighbor. Frederick Buechner reminds us that ‘Jesus doesn’t mean loving as primarily a feeling. Instead, he seems to mean {it} […]

the inBEtween :: Just Be

text :: Acts 2: 42 – 47 theme verse :: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42) // Writer Kathleen Norris (Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith) describes worship not as perfect performance, but calls the worshiping body ‘Christ’s ragged band of disciples… […]

An Altar in the World :: The Practice of Pronouncing Blessings

text :: Philippians 1: 3 – 11 theme verse :: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6) // Barbara Brown Taylor says, “To pronounce a blessing on something, it is important to see it […]

An Altar in the World :: The Practice of Living with Purpose

text :: Colossians 3: 12 – 17 theme verse :: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17) // From mowing yards or babysitting or bagging groceries as teenagers to the roles of corporate life in […]

An Altar in the World :: The Practice of Feeling Pain

text :: 1 Peter 5: 6 – 11 theme verse :: “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10) // Few of us seek pain yet none of us […]

An Altar in the World :: The Practice of Wearing Skin

text :: John 1:1-14 theme verse :: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) // Preeminent American food writer, M.F.K. Fisher once said, “People ask me: why do you write about food, […]

An Altar in the World :: The Practice of Waking Up to God

text :: Genesis 28: 10 – 22 theme verse :: “Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!'” (Gen28:16) // How can we possibly know a God so vast and mysterious as intimately as we know the gift of rocking an infant […]

Details

text :: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 theme verse :: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) // When given a task to complete without any instruction, there are generally two responses. Some people are thrilled! They wouldn’t have pulled out the instructions anyway. Others are terrified. “I […]

Surpassing Peace

text :: Romans 5:1-5 theme verse :: “Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom 5:1) // The classic rock band, Boston, offers us a line in their 1976 hit song, Peace of Mind: “I understand about indecision. I don’t care if I get behind. People […]

Christ’s Church

text :: Hebrews 10:19-25 theme verse :: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds…” (Hebrews 10:24) // 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION On March 22, 1959, a courageous few gathered imagining what it would mean for them to be Christ’s Church at 55th and Harvard in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sixty years […]

And Now For Something Completely Different

text :: Revelation 22: 12 – 21 theme verse :: “Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.” (Revelation 22:17b) // A sermon from the book of Revelation. That should be plenty different. Is it a dream? vision? prophecy? something else? We’ve made ourselves afraid of this text … when most […]

Now That Faith Has Come

text :: Galatians 3: 23 – 29 theme verse :: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (Gal 3:25-26) // It’s race weekend in Indianapolis – Motorsports’ crown event. It’s truly an amazing thing – the […]

In the Water

text :: Acts 8:26-40 theme verse :: “Philip commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” (Acts 8:38) // Every time the waters of baptism are stirred, there is a stirring of the Spirit. It never fails. It’s just water and […]