Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley 

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9 NRSV 

The Transfiguration 17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Pastor: Rev. Erin Sloan Jackson

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8 CEB

What does the Lord require? 6 With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit? 8 He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

Pastor: Rev. Sean McDonald Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40, CEB

34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together. 35 One of them, a legal expert, tested him. 36 “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” 

Christmas Eve 7pm Sermon

Pastor: Rev. Sean McDonald 

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Christmas Eve 5pm Sermon

Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

46 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! 47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. 48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored 49 because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 50 He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. 52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed. 54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:4-14 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!

Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley

This Advent/Christmas sermon series, beginning Sunday, December 1, speaks to the core of what the season is ultimately about…Presents. We celebrate the coming of the greatest gift of all – Jesus Christ. We also acknowledge the season of gift giving that is highlighted by the tradition of giving gifts placed under our Christmas trees; those gifts we unwrap on Christmas morning. In this series we will celebrate “Presents”, the ones we receive and, more importantly, the ones that we give. We also celebrate God’s Presence which we remember through the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love."  Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Pastor: Rev. Erin Sloan Jackson

This Advent/Christmas sermon series, beginning Sunday, December 1, speaks to the core of what the season is ultimately about…Presents. We celebrate the coming of the greatest gift of all – Jesus Christ. We also acknowledge the season of gift giving that is highlighted by the tradition of giving gifts placed under our Christmas trees; those gifts we unwrap on Christmas morning. In this series we will celebrate “Presents”, the ones we receive and, more importantly, the ones that we give. We also celebrate God’s Presence which we remember through the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley

The time of wandering in the desert as a congregation is over. 2025 will be about entering the beautiful promised land that has always been before Munger Place Church. The Covenant Card you will return this Sunday will help “change the menu” for those who have been coming here for years, and all the new people that will come into these doors in 2025. We will meet each other at the altar this Sunday. The moment has come.

Scripture: Joshua 5:10-12

Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley

We live in a consumer-driven world. We are especially reminded of that during this time of year. Unfortunately, this has permeated into our churches and caused us to lose sight of our mission. Join us this Sunday as we reclaim our mission and explore a better way of doing ministry. Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13 CEB

Sermon: Rev. Sean McDonald