The Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon reflects on Paul’s short letter to Philemon, written from prison about Onesimus, a slave who had become dear to him. Paul appeals to Philemon not through command but “on the basis of love,” asking him to see Onesimus as a brother rather than property. The preacher emphasizes how Paul redefines family in Christ, creating bonds that transcend blood ties and social hierarchies. This ethic of non-dominance and voluntary love challenges today’s culture of coercion, reminding us that the world is changed not by force but by sacrificial, relational love.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon reflects on Jesus’s teaching about humility and hospitality at the banquet table. Using both a local community dinner and modern debates on immigration as illustrations, it critiques zero-sum thinking and exclusionary attitudes. The preacher emphasizes that seats at God’s table are given by invitation, not entitlement, and urges the congregation to notice who is missing from their own tables. The gospel calls for radical hospitality, ensuring that the vulnerable and marginalized are included, for the feast is incomplete until all are welcomed.

the Rev. Emily Boring

The sermon humorously critiques transactional views of religion by reflecting on a postcard naming the church a “top-rated customer satisfaction” site. It uses this to explore deeper meanings of prayer, particularly the Lord’s Prayer. Rather than a vending machine model of request and response, prayer is portrayed as grounded in need, vulnerability, and relationship with God. Jesus’s prayer emphasizes sustenance, forgiveness, and trust. The preacher acknowledges unanswered prayers and suffering, pushing back against empty “thoughts and prayers,” and instead encourages shameless, persistent trust in God amid life’s uncertainties.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon challenges misreadings of the Mary and Martha story, rejecting the idea that contemplation and action are opposed or that one must be an archetype. It focuses instead on how Martha’s distraction—rooted in anxiety—distorts her hospitality, while Mary models the spiritual discipline of presence and unmixed attention. The preacher connects this to contemporary societal and personal distractions, urging the congregation to choose one relationship or action to remain present to this week, trusting that Christ is there.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon tells the story of a parishioner who, inspired by a conference on immigration, joined a 1,300-mile pilgrimage to ICE detention centers. She and other pilgrims traveled vulnerably, relying on church communities for food and shelter, embodying Jesus’ call to be sent without protection. The sermon links this vulnerability to Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem and shows how mutual hospitality and dependence are central to revealing God's Realm. Rather than leading through force, Jesus—and his followers—witness to love, transformation, and grace through radical humility.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon reflects on spiritual experience, psychedelics, and discernment. Inspired by a study where clergy took psilocybin and had mystical encounters, it compares these to the Pentecost event and modern healing stories like Marsha Linehan's. It urges openness to divine encounter, with true spiritual experiences recognized by the healing, connection, and transformation they bring—not just for oneself, but for others.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon tells the story of Kelsey Buyers, whose encounter with literature and longing for spiritual connection led her back to church and eventually to baptism. Her story mirrors the Acts narrative of Peter's vision and the inclusion of Gentiles, showing how the Holy Spirit often disrupts established boundaries. The preacher urges openness to God's new work and warns against mistaking traditionalism for faithful tradition.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

The Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon contrasts two moments of radical love: Mary anointing Jesus's feet with perfume before his death, and EPA retirees showing up with coffee and comfort for current employees during a time of deep despair. Both acts—though they don’t change the larger crisis—carry immense emotional and spiritual weight. The message emphasizes how extravagant, seemingly small acts of love can leave lasting, healing impact, even in times of fear and uncertainty.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

In her farewell sermon last week, Emily Hansen Curran shared a personal transformation from culture-war Christianity to a love-centered faith, which deeply moved her father, Randy. He responded by publicly confessing his own past rigidity and thanking the church for helping him rediscover love and grace. Their story of reconciliation paralleled Jesus’ parable of the barren fig tree, reminding the congregation of the importance of nurturing relationships, not cutting them off. The sermon calls for patient love over certainty and judgment, affirming that fruit can still be born in the most unlikely soil.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

The speaker recalls a fear they had 25 years ago about losing themselves in New York City while attending seminary. Looking back, they realize that their time there—especially during 9/11—tested and shaped them. This connects to Deuteronomy, where the Israelites preserve their identity through remembrance and action. Likewise, during Lent, Jesus is tested in the wilderness, refusing to use power for personal gain but staying connected to God and humanity. We, too, face tests in daily life, sometimes failing. Lent reminds us to turn back, reclaim who we are, and take action—feeding neighbors, sharing power, and standing with others in times of crisis.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon examines how eternal life, a promise held by believers now, can coexist with death. Using the story of Lazarus, Phil+ reflects on Jesus’s grief and anger toward death, showing God’s empathy with human sorrow. Drawing on Sandra Schneiders, the sermon urges believers to avoid despair, embracing life together in faith, love, and unity amidst division and loss. Jesus's command to unbind Lazarus symbolizes the need for communal support, suggesting that eternal life is lived through shared hope and mutual care.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon explores the themes of greatness and giving, using the Gospel of Mark and the communal practices of Taizé as examples. The disciples, James and John, misunderstand greatness, seeking power and prestige, while Jesus teaches that true greatness lies in service and self-sacrifice. The Rev. Phil challenges the transactional view of Jesus’ death and emphasizes that his sacrifice is an act of liberation, not payment. This view calls for giving that sets others free. The message applies to personal, political, and spiritual contexts, urging a shift from self-serving power to liberating service.