Past Sermons

What the World Needs Now

In the words of Adrienne Maree Brown, "[we] are not the first humans to try and change the world, have a vision, wrestle with philanthropy, grow, have a financial crisis, have an internal conflict, contradiction, and/or combustion, or to end." We are not the first, and we can learn from the wisdom of those who traveled this road before. Yet this moment is uniquely ours, because it is our hearts that are breaking open, and it is all of us together who face these endings... and this beginning. How do we meet this moment in an ever-changing world? What does the world need now? Rev. Sophia Doescher preaching.

Remaining Open-Hearted While Being Broken-Hearted
There are many things that bind together the human family. One of them is our shared experience of loss and grief. On All Souls Day, when we remember our dearly departed loved ones, we explore this common bond, and ask: How do we remain open-hearted while being broken-hearted? Rev. Rob Hardies is preaching.

Sacred Stories to Tell in the Dark
It was a dark and stormy night… the wind howled, shadows flickered, and somewhere in the distance, something stirred that we couldn’t quite name. It is comforting to know how the story ends, to see what’s lurking around the corner before we take another step. But what if some things can only be met in the dark? How might embracing mystery help us trust that even when we can’t see the path ahead, we can still find our way forward? Rev. Sophia Doescher preaching.

"Not a Bot” by Rev. Rob Hardies
As artificial intelligence, social media, and other technologies shape more and more of our lives and culture, what’s at stake for our humanity? How do we remain human amidst the bots? And how can our moral imagination keep pace with technological innovation? Rev. Rob Hardies preaching.

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day
As we commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day this year, we are again called to take our learning and teaching about history and have it move us to action. Please join us this Sunday morning where the Indigenous Justice Working Group will lead worship through a series of reflections and readings on the intersection of land, people, and our place is moving us towards a just and loving future. The Indigenous Justice Working Group is preaching.

From FOMO to Freedom
We’ve all fallen for FOMO, haven’t we? The Fear Of Missing Out. Fed an endless stream of possibilities, opportunities, products and desires, we’ve been driven to distraction. Left feeling lonely, anxious, envious and inadequate. What if we freed ourselves from all of that by taking back our attention and living boldly with intention and purpose? How do we move from FOMO to Freedom? Rev. Rob Hardies is preaching.

‘Sorry’ Seems To Be the Hardest Word
‘Sorry’ makes the world go ‘round. Without it we’d all be alone. But a sincere apology is more than a tool in our relational toolkit. Properly understood, ‘sorry’ is an entire theology, a spirituality, an ethic. It contains multitudes. So why do the words ‘I’m sorry’ so often get caught in our throat? Why is it so hard to give and receive apologies? Rev. Rob Hardies is preaching.

It's More Than Just Showing Up
It's about showing up in the ways that are life-giving to both ourselves and one another. But so often we are pushed to our limits and we just need a place to show up that can accept us exactly how we are. How do we make sure First Parish is a place where we do both? Rev. Sophia Doescher preaching.