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

Many of us want to grow closer to God. In fact, as Christians, it is our main goal! But how do we do that? We tend to think of things like prayer and attending church, which is undoubtedly true. However, our scripture for this week suggests something else that we tend to overlook. And it may be the most important way to grow closer to God.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:16-25 CEB

Pastor: Rev. Sean McDonald

Scripture: [1] Matthew 28:16-20 NRSV, [2] Romans 1:16 NRSV

[1] Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

[2] For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley

This week’s sermon kicks off our Covenant/Commitment series entitled “Embrace the Why?” In this week’s message we will explore one of the most fundamental questions we can ponder as followers of Jesus - “Why Embrace Why?” The answer is found in the verse following one of the most well-known and quoted verses of scripture – John 3:16. The answer to “Why Embrace Why?” is found in the words of John 3:17 “God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, God sent Jesus into the world so that the world might be saved through him.” This sermon will helps you frame your personal answer the question of how can we bless and be a blessing to the world around us as we invite people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. The answer to that question “Why Embrace Why?” is why Munger Place Church exists and why we should be passionate about living out our mission statement. I’ll see you Sunday for a deeper dive into how that happens here and how we can expand the work before us here at MPC.

Sermon Scripture: John 3:16-17 NRSV

Pastor: Rev. Edlen Cowley

We aren’t always great at celebrating miracles. Mostly because we’ve stopped looking for them. But this doesn’t mean miracles don’t happen. This week we turn to the prophet Isaiah who provides hope when we need it most.

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-19

Pastor: Rev. Sean McDonald

We are creatures of habit. The more we do something, the likelier we are to do it in the future. Sometimes, this is helpful. But other times, this has undesired outcomes. Unfortunately, one of those undesirable outcomes is the polarization of our political climate. We have conditioned ourselves to meet any disagreement with anger and even hate. We know we should disagree in love, but breaking the habit is hard. What can we do to change that?

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Pastor: Rev. Sean McDonald