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.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon reflects on Jesus’ teachings about power and humility in Mark 9, where he holds a child while instructing his disciples on true greatness in God's kingdom. The disciples, shaped by a world that values coercive power, argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus teaches them that true power is found in service, especially toward the powerless. Jesus’ strong language warns against actions that harm the vulnerable, urging his followers to live by a different kind of power—one of compassion and healing. The sermon concludes by encouraging the congregation to resist worldly instincts for domination and instead embrace Jesus' radical call to serve and protect those at risk.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

The Rev. Phil Brochard recalls a conversation from 30 years ago about creating a "no rules" summer camp, where teenagers could learn to make ethical decisions without strict enforcement. He reflects on a biblical story where Jesus is confronted by Pharisees for his disciples' failure to follow hand-washing traditions, illustrating how righteousness should not be about outward observance of rules but about inner transformation and a genuine relationship with God. The sermon urges the audience to return to the root of their faith, focusing on what truly matters—living with a heart changed by compassion and justice.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

In this sermon, the Rev. Phil Brochard discusses the tension between Jesus and his family in Mark 3, emphasizing the urgency of his early ministry and the desperation of the crowds seeking his healing. Jesus faces escalating conflict with religious authorities and refutes accusations of demonic alliances with a parable about a divided house. He redefines family as those who do God's will, a challenging concept that his family eventually embraces, becoming key figures in the Christian movement. The sermon calls for collective dedication to God's will, responding to brokenness with healing and sacrifice.

the Rev. Phil Brocard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

The Rev. Phil Brochard reflects on the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension, emphasizing that they couldn't have anticipated the transformative experience of Pentecost. He suggests that authentic communication and connection, driven by the Holy Spirit, are crucial for Christians. The sermon encourages listening and loving communication as ways to bridge divides and foster deeper connections with God and others.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

In this sermon, the Rev. Phil explores the metaphor of the vine from John's Gospel, emphasizing spiritual pruning as essential for growth. By removing life's unneeded parts, we focus more on deepening our relationship with God and building resilience in personal life and in community.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon reflects on the symbolism of Christ as the Good Shepherd, an image prominent in Christian art and practice throughout the centuries. The Good Shepherd metaphor emphasizes Jesus' dedication to safeguarding his flock, offering reassurance and a sense of safety amidst life's challenges. The sermon encourages us to apply the example of the Good Shepherd in our own lives, accompanying one another to the difficult places and showing others that we are always worthy of help, love, and care.

Link to “The Call” podcast from This American Life, referenced in the sermon.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

In this Easter Sunday sermon, the Rev. Phil Brochard reflects on the unexpected joy and fear experienced by the women at Jesus’ tomb. He explores how fear often silences us, preventing the sharing of transformative truths. Emphasizing resurrection as a continuous, unfolding reality, he invites us to trust that Jesus’ presence is always ahead of us, guiding us towards hope and new beginnings.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

Drawing from John 12:20-33, the sermon highlights the profound lesson of Jesus' death: true life springs from sacrifice. The narrative of the wheat grain dying to give life is paralleled with Christian discipleship's call for personal sacrifice. The preacher underscores the paradox that by dying to ourselves, we gain eternal life and true fulfillment. The message calls for introspection and readiness to follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial love.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon discusses the transitory nature of life, illustrated by the speaker's experience of clearing out his childhood home and the historical destruction of the Jewish temple. It emphasizes placing trust in the eternal—Jesus Christ's living and resurrected body—over temporary physical structures or relationships.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon emphasizes the importance of Ash Wednesday and Lent as times for reflection, repentance, and remembering our mortality. It calls for genuine love, self-examination, and acts of mercy, urging listeners to live attentively and meaningfully, focusing on relationships with God, themselves, and others.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Phil Brochard