Sermons 2000 - 2001
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Advent (December 3, 2000) through Pentecost (November 25, 2001)
Lectionary Cycle Year C

Other Sermon files that you might find helpful and exciting
(Sermons 1997-1998)    (Sermons 1998-1999)    (Sermons 1999-2000)    (Sermons 2001-2002)    (Sermons 2002-2003)
(Sermons 2003-2004)    (Sermons 2004- 2005)    (Sermons 2005-2006)    (Sermons 2006-2007)    (Sermons 2007-2008)

There are no Sermons for December 2000, and January 7, 2001. this is the period of my temporary retirement, that is before I became the Pastor of the Arena Congregational Church.

ADVENT, 2000

December 3 - First Sunday of Advent
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December 10 - Second Sunday of Advent
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December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent
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December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve Service
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December 31 - First Sunday after Christmas, Epiphany Sunday
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JANUARY 2001

January 6, Epiphany

January 7 -Baptism of our Lord
    Lesson:
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January 14 -
    Lesson: 1 John 4.18
    Sermon Title: The Love Factor

There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out all fear. Why do we fear? What is it that we are most afraid of? If there were an antidote for fear, would you use it. This sermon explores the nature of our fears and the love factor which has the power and capacity to reduce or even eliminate our fears; or second best, to provide the means to keep them under control.

January 18-25, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

January 21 -
    Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a
    Sermon Title: The Gifted

Each individual is gifted in some way. The individual's gift or even gifts may be evident, developed and used, but are they wisely used for the building up of the Body of Jesus. The gifts may either be unknown and undeveloped or blocked in their development by personal anxiety. These gifts are not available for the building up of the Body of Jesus. This sermon attempts to help one see and understand how giftedness may be identified, developed and used for the benefit, not only of the individual, but also for the building up of the Body of Jesus.

January 28 -
    Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12.31-13.13
    Sermon Title: It's the Greatest

Love is one of those swampy words that we use whose meaning is rapidly becoming confused or lost. The level of contentment experienced by any human being is proportional to the amount of love that has been acquired. What is love? How may we acquire "true love?" 1 Corinthians offers insight and understanding.

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February 4 - Boy Scout Sunday
    Lesson: Luke 6.27-36
    Sermon Title: How?

We are commanded to love our enemies. This appears to be an impossibly hopeless task. How, can we love our enemies and so satisfy the command of Jesus and live out, in practical ways, the example that he has provided us?

February 11 -
    Lesson: John 12.24-26
    Sermon Title: The Paradoxical Gospel

A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true. This is true of this statement by Jesus when he talks about hating and loving life in terms of finding or losing it. What does it mean to love, hate, find and lose?

February 14 - Valentine's Day

February 18 -
    Lesson: Luke 6.37-42
    Sermon Title: Measure for Measure

The measure that you give will be the measure that you get back. This is not "tit for tat." It is rather a principle of relationships which does not always work in human relationships, but always does in relationship to Jesus Christ. It is as much about receiving as it is about giving. What does an individual have to do to receive the most?

February 25 - Transfiguration Sunday
    Lesson: Luke 9.28-36
    Sermon Title: The Miraculous and Mundane

For the persons present something miraculous is taking place. One is being transformed. three of them, misunderstanding, suggest the building of several booths to commemorate the event. Why cannot they see the experience in divine light? How can we see and experience the divine light?

February 28 -Ash Wednesday Service, 7:30 p.m. (Communion)
    (There was no Ash Wednesday Service this year, but if there had been this is what it would have been about.)
    Lessons: Psalm 51:1-17; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
    Sermon Title: Ashes to Ashes-Dust to Dust

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. These are familiar words from the funeral liturgy. it also takes a spiritual death to live a spiritual life. We explore the ability to like the Apostle Paul proclaim, "I die daily."

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March 4 - First Sunday in Lent, Girl Scout Sunday
    Lesson: Romans 10.8-13 (Luke 4.1-13)
    Sermon Title: By the Word

Have you ever been asked if you are "saved"? How is one saved?

March 11 - Second Sunday in Lent
    Lesson: Philippians 3.17-4.1 (Luke 13.31-35)
    Sermon Title: Joy and Sadness

There are gods and there is God. How does one tell the difference?

March 18 - Third Sunday in Lent
    Lesson: 1 Corinthians 10.1-13 (Luke 13.1-9)
    Sermon Title: Tested and Tried

Our faith and virtue will be tested. What does one need to be strong and firm in the "faith?"

March 25 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
    Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5.16-21 (Luke 15.1-3, 11-32)
    Sermon Title: Point of View

What you see and understand about what you see is dependent on your point of view. Many people look at other through human eyes. How may we learn to look with God's eyes?

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April 1 - Fifth Sunday in Lent, April Fool's Day (Daylight Savings Time Begins)
    Lesson: Philippians 3.4-14 (John 12.1-8)
    Sermon Title: Pressing On

April 1, April Fool's Day. Its time for practical jokes. We are the recipients of the great cosmic joke that God played on all human kind. Are we laughing? We should be!

April 8 - Passion, Palm Sunday
    Lesson: Philippians 2.5-11 (Luke 19. 28-39)
    Sermon Title: Taking Sides

Taking Sides, everyone takes sides, often without thought as to the reason or the results. What would happen if we were all on the Lord's side?

April 12 - (Not available) Maundy Thursday Service 6:30 p.m., Chili Dump Dinner followed by Worship with Communion.
    Lesson: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (NRSV)
    Sermon Title: Take the Risk Out of Dyeing

The Angel of Death was deterred by the blood sprinkled on the top and sides of the door. We cannot stop our death by the sprinkling blood on the tops and sides of our doors. We can win the victory over death through Jesus Christ.

April 13 - (Not Available) Good Friday Service, 7:00 p.m., Arena Congregational Church
    Lesson: Psalm 22; Isaiah 52.13-53.12; Hebrews 10.16-25; John 18.1-19.42
    Sermon Title: Sermon by the Rev. Larry Pierce, Arena Bible Church

April 15 - Easter Sunday
    Lesson: Acts 10.34-43; 1 Corinthians 15.19-26; John 20.1-18
    Sermon Title: True Confessions

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? By listening to the witnesses, we rejoice in the "truth" of the resurrection

April 22 - Second Sunday after Easter
    Lessons: Acts 5.27-32; John 20.19-31, (NRSVA)
    Sermon Title: Corroboratively True

For a person to be convicted of a crime, the evidence against the man or woman must be confirmed by two or three witnesses. Where is the evidence to corroborate the resurrection?

April 25, Secretary's Day

April 29 - Third Sunday of Easter
    Lesson: Acts 9.1-20; John 21.1-19, (NRSVA)
    Sermon Title: Verifiably True

A lie detector test is often used to verify, to demonstrate the truthfulness of a witness in a legal proceeding. Would Jesus' disciples pass a lie detector test? Would you?

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May 3 - National Day of Prayer

May 6 - Fourth Sunday of Easter
    Lesson: Psalm 23; Revelation 7.9-17
    Sermon Title: Eternally True

Does a movie sequel live up to the original? The sequel can also be the result of an initial action. Easter has a sequel! What are its benefits?

May 13 - Mother's Day
    Lesson: 2 Kings 4.8-17
    Sermon Title: A Mother's Faith

Mother's Day is a time to remember, to honor, to understand and even forgive, and a time to grow in the graces of character exemplified by a faithful mother.

May 20 - Sixth Sunday of Easter
    Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15.19
    Sermon Title: Hopefulness

There is a hope that disappoints. There is a hope which dies not disappoint. How may we tall the difference?

May 27 - Ascension Day, Memorial Sunday
    Lesson: Hebrews 11.1
    Sermon Title: Faith is?

Really, what is faith? We are supposed to live by faith and not by sight, "How?"

May 30 - Memorial Day Observed

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June 3 -Pentecost Sunday
    Lessons: Acts 2.1-21; John 14.8-17
    Sermon Title: Wind and fire

How common for the human mind to take the things of God and seek to turn them into the ordinary with human explanations. God defies the ordinary and the human. If you seek the power, you will no longer be ordinary. What do you seek?

June 10 - Trinity Sunday
    Lessons: Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31; John 16.12-15
    Sermon Title: Making Sense of the Trinity

Three in one or one in three. The Doctrine of the Trinity has led to the fracture of denominations and the boggling of the mind. How can we make some sense of the Trinty?

June 17 - Father's Day
    Lesson: The Letter and the Spirit
    Sermon Title: 2 Corinthians 3.2-18

God has made it possible for us to be partners in a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

June 24 - No Sermon, Pastor's Sunday Off
    Lesson:
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July 1 - Independence Sunday
    Lesson: This Land Is?
    Sermon Title: 2 Chronicles 7.14

Is America a Christian nation, or a Secular nation? The answer to this question drives Christians and Non-Christians alike to fight over political, economic, and social issues that have far-ranging effects on personal and national life. What were we and what will we become?

July 4 - Independence Day

July 8 -
    Lesson: Matthew 1.1-17
    Sermon Title: Genealogies

Who are we? Where did we come from? What is our ancestry? The past has a vital impact on the present and the future. Genealogies are very helpful, not only in understanding the past but also creating identity for the present.

July 15 -
    Lesson: Matthew 1.18-25
    Sermon Title: Virgin Born

Christians for centuries have squabbled over the nature of Christ. If there is no virgin birth, is there a Christ?

July 22 - Parent's Day
    Lesson: Matthew 2.1-6 (7-12)
    Sermon Title: The Terror of the Terrible

 A lack of recognition and a fear of the unknown led to a terrible atrocity. Can such experiences be avoided?

July 29 -
    Lesson: Matthew (1-6) 2.7-12
    Sermon Title: What Can We Learn from the Magi?

A clear goal, a defined purpose, and a willingness to expend one's self in the achievement of an objective. The Magi are the exemplars of the essentials of Christianity.

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August 5 - Friendship Day
    Lesson: Matthew 2.13-15
    Sermon Title: Escape

There is a time to stay and a time to run. The escape of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus is a model for each of us.

August 12 - No Sermon available, Pastor on vacation
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August 19 -
    Lesson: Matthew 2.16-18
    Sermon Title: God! Where are you?

For most of us the Holocaust is but a dim memory of an attempt to destroy a people. It is something that we should never forget. We should not forget because such evil events confront us with deep and troubling questions among them is, “Where Is God?” We learn that God is always present, even in the midst of human depravation and genocide.

August 26 -
    Lesson: Matthew 2.19-23
    Sermon Title: Exodus

Joseph like his ancestor Jacob and his children find refuge in Egypt. When the time comes he with his family returns to Nazareth. It is another exodus, from Egypt to the Promised Land. Where is our promised land?

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September 2 - Labor Sunday
    Lesson: Matthew 3.1-6, NRSVA
    Sermon Title: Repent Again?

We are called upon to live a life of repentance. Repentance is literally a "change of mind." We do not change easily. Perhaps John the Baptist can help.

September 3, Labor Day

September 9 - Grandparents Day
    Lesson: Matthew 3.1-6
    Sermon Title: Straighten Up!

Posture is important. I have a tendency to slouch. I am often told to straighten up. It applies to more than posture.

September 16 -
    Lesson: John 16:33
      Sermon Title: Trials and Tribulations

Jesus said Do not be afraid. In the world you will have tribulation. I have overcome the world. if we are tuly in Christ, What can human beings do to us?

September 23 -
    Lesson: Psalm 27:1-6; Hebrews 13:1-8 15-16
    Sermon Title: I Pledge Thee My Allegiance

Patriotism is vital to the sustaining of national will and purpose. So we pledge allegiance to flag and country. Allegiance is also due to the God who promises never to leave us nor forsake us.

September 30 -
    Lesson: Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:17-21
        Sermon Title: Daring To Trust

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