Worship

We value the traditions of Word and Sacrament and the ways they connect us with generations of people who have lived and wrestled with faith before us. We also remember to laugh, to sing, and to make room for the beautiful imperfection of being human together.

Worship can mean many things to many people. We never fully know what someone is carrying when they walk through our doors—the joy, grief, questions, weariness, gratitude, or longing that may have brought them here. But God knows. And we trust that God meets each of us as we are, wherever we are.

Our hope is that when you enter the sanctuary, you feel warmly welcomed by this congregation and held in the presence of God. This is sacred space where the differences among us are embraced as part of the beautiful diversity of God’s creation. It is a place to rest from whatever life has brought, to give thanks, to be reminded of grace, and sometimes simply to be still long enough to remember that we are held.

We believe our lives are deeply connected to one another, and that our world is in need of compassion, empathy, and love. Worship nurtures us for that life. Together we pray, sing, listen, wrestle with scripture, receive grace, and grow in Christ.

And then we go.

We return to our homes, our relationships, our work, and our communities carrying something of what we have received—a little more peace, a little more courage, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence. Worship gathers us in, but it also sends us out, called to share the love and peace of Christ with the world.

Find out more about how we worship.

In the 1970s came a television show unlike any show before it. The name of that show was All in the Family, and its protagonist was Archie Bunker. Norman Lear was the producer of that show and used the series to portray the many challenges and controversies facing the United States during that time.

In some ways, we have progressed as a country, no longer comfortable with much of the language and dialogue portrayed in the show. But in other ways, we are still holding the same arguments we did over 50 years ago.

I have a friend who sat with Norman Lear at a celebrity luncheon. According to my friend, Mr. Lear said the writers of the show would often equate Edith’s character with Jesus. So while debating how Edith might react or what she might do, the writers would often ask, “Well, what would Jesus do?” Because, like Jesus, Edith loved everyone, even the bigoted, racist, and intolerant Archie Bunker.

Archie thought of himself as a Christian. But how do we define Christian? Is it enough to hold beliefs but not put them into action? Are our intentions enough or do we have a responsibility to behave in certain ways, even when we don’t want to? And when we say we love our neighbor, are we required to love people like Archie?

Through the comparison of history, our challenges then and now, our Christian lens, and the comedy of the brilliant Norman Lear, who radically changed the nature of television, we will explore these questions.

Pastor Nicole

WORSHIP

PAST SERMON SERIES

Is Archie Bunker a Christian?

Advent 2022