Sermons

Taking Down the Dividing Walls

October 1, 2017  | 

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There is a lot of divisive rhetoric in the political and religious world.  Paul understands Jesus call to break down the dividing walls.  We need to work on the divisions between cultures, race, religions and form new and enduring relationship that bind us together as God's people.  Instead of, "there is only one way" how about if we adopt Paul's theology, "One is the way!"

Reflections on Our Commitment to Higher Education

September 24, 2017  | 

Series:

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Presbyterians have been responsible for many colleges and Universities.  As a congregation in a university neighborhood, Central Presbyterian has a long heritage of supporting, nurturing, and praying for students, faculty and staff.  We have supported a Presbyterian campus ministry for over 100 years.  Rev. Geary, one of the Pastors of Central was a founder of the Albany Collegiate Institute which became Lewis and Clark College in 1942.  Our preacher this morning, Rev. Mark Duntley is the Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life at this college.  Rev. Geary was also one of the members of the first Board of Regents of the University of Oregon.

Presbyterians and Public Education

September 17, 2017  | 

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Jesus sums up the commandments in two;  Love God with heart and soul and mind and the second is like it, love your neighbor.  The inseperable connection between love of God and Love of neighbor defines humanities' covenant relationships.  In particular loving God is expressed in three related parts of the human experience - body, MIND, and Spirit.  Today's sermon has its focus on the mind and our covenant obligation for public education. Presbyterians have a long tradition of supporting public education rooted in our love of neighbor as a fulfillment of our covenant responsibilities.

When Life is Overwhelming

September 10, 2017  | 

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Sometimes life throws too much our way.  Life in Egypt was like this for the Israelites.  This is part of the human condition - that which causes conflict between us.  Jesus outlines a process for solving conflict in the Matthew text.  First try to solve it between the two parties privately, then a small group, and finally the community through dialogue.  We need dialogue today about many issues that divide us.  Finally, when you get instruction to treat unresolved conflict as you would a tax collector or other outsider, remember how Jesus treated the outsider, the tax collector, and the sinner.