Sunday Teachings - Sanctuary Community Church

12/14/25 David compares Christmas joy to a hidden track on a 90s CD.

12/7/25 Tom reflects on the pattern of annunciation narratives in the Bible and the invitation to non-competetive blessing and flourishing.

11/30/25 Adey kicks off Advent with a message of hope, centered on where God has anointed us and empowered us to bring good news.

11/23/25 David borrows from the new book Reading the Bible on Turtle Island by Sanctuary member Chris Hoklotubbe. David looks at how the book invites an openness to the gifts and spiritual practices of indigenous traditions because many reflect the Bible's portrayal of spiritual experiences. For example, in the Transfiguration story, Jesus experiences the presence of his ancestors (Moses and Elijah) at a crossroads moment in his ministry.

11/16/25 Tom explores some of the origins of the Hebrew language and its implications for the Bible and our interpretations today.

11/9/25 James Tutson preaches on how we can use our imagination to connect with God. James invites us to ask, "What if God is more generous than that?"

11/2/25 Adey asks how flexible and changeable our image of God is.

10/26/25 David celebrates Halloween by reading Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara and then diving into a Cain's genealogy from Genesis 4. Shout out to Internal Family Systems.

10/19/25 Tom offers a bold alternate interpretation to the parable of the prodigal son.

10/12/25 This Sunday we spotlight HANDS ON FAITH, and Adey looks at how each person has something unique and specific to contribute to the cause of justice.

10/5/25 David dispels some Bible interpretation errors related to the second coming of Jesus and then examines the diverse and contradictory images in the Bible regarding the afterlife.

9/28/25 Tom wades through the surprising parables of Luke 15.

9/21/25 Adey reflects on the story of Jesus talking to a woman at a well in John 4.

9/14/25 Tom reinterprets Jesus' list of blessings.

9/7/25 David looks at Psalm 104 and its theme of God as God of all creatures. The book An Immense World by Ed Yong provided some inspiration for this message.

8/31/25 Tom examines Jesus' surprising statement, "Whoever is not against me is for me."

8/24/25 Adey looks at the cost of not being ourselves.

8/17/25 David explores a powerful moment of Jesus' compassion, an example of attunement.

8/10/25 Tom reflects on the difference between Jesus' mission and the usual goals of religion.

8/3/25 Adey explores one of the primary lessons of Ecclesiastes: live in the present and enjoy the now.

7/27/25 David looks to the story of King Solomon and the building of the Temple for inspiration on navigating the tricky tensions concerning money and wealth.

7/20/25 Tom looks at the distinction between "sin" and "scandal" and its implications for today.

7/13/25 Adey looks at Jesus' model of resting and the vital spiritual practices that cultivate rest.

7/6/25 Amy Kraber preaches on one of Jesus' parables during our all-ages service, utilizing some common teaching techniques from the kids wing.

Link to the Catastrophe Scale: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1upf9uvkW1kwVDponuG2-mMhyupUTqZQb/view?usp=drive_link

6/22/25 Adey explores how Jesus encourages us to be our full, authentic selves.

6/15/25 Tom deconstructs sin and looks at how Jesus approaches the whole notion of sin and forgiveness.

6/9/25 David celebrates Pentecost by looking at how the promise of God's Holy Spirit applies to life at its worst.

6/1/25 Adey deconstructs how the Bible writers describe women (and men), and she offers a compelling alternative.

5/25/25 David considers how a health unity might be achieved, a unity that embraces diversity and equity and does not engage in scapegoating.

5/18/25 Tom looks at the role revelation - seeing - plays in personal and societal transformation.

5/11/25 Adey looks to Job to gain wisdom on facing suffering + Athena Eilers reads "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou.

5/4/25 David invites Jen Brown to read Wendell Berry's poem "Do Not Be Ashamed" (June, 1967) and follows it with a story where Jesus channels clarity and courage. We're invited to do likewise.

4/27/25 Tom looks at the post-resurrection stories of Jesus and the timeless feeling of peace that accompanies them.

4/20/25 Adey celebrates Easter with a look at Jesus' resurrection story and the joy that comes after mourning.

4/13/25 David wraps our Lent teaching series with a look at collective action in the New Testament and in the Montgomery bus boycott of 1956.

4/6/25 Tom reflects on Jesus' expectation of death as a model for us today.

3/30/25 Adey continues our Lent series on "Collective Soul Care" by looking at how Jesus brings us together and calls us to care for one another.

3/23/25 Tom looks at Jesus' ethic of celebration as an act of collective protest.

3/16/25 Amy Kraber continues our Collective Soul Care teaching series by looking at how God uses nature to nurture and provide for us.

3/9/25 David kicks off our Lent teaching series on "Collective Soul Care" with a story from Kings that reminds us to not overlook small acts of redemption.

3/2/25 Adey looks at the story of Jacob wrestling with God and its implications for us today.

2/23/25 Tom looks at Jesus' lack of claim to any kingship and its implications for today.

2/16/25 David looks at how Jesus avoids being used as a mascot and the implications for us today.

2/9/25 Adey leans into life-affirming spiritual practices, trusting and hoping in the God of all comfort.

2/2/25 Tom challenges the classic interpretation of Elijah slaying the prophets of Baal and the politics of retribution. The text - along with Jesus - points to an alternative way.

1/26/25 Guest Chris McMillan offers guidance on navigating these troubled times by looking at the letter to the Ephesians and the instruction to "put on the full armor of God."

1/19/25 David looks at a story where Jesus subverts the causal relationship between sin and affliction, bringing freedom from blame.

1/12/25 Adey looks at Daniel for inspiration and modeling on how to resist oppressive laws and policies.

1/5/24 Tom invites us to find our true selves as Jesus finds his true self, located in the divine.

12/22/24 Adey looks at the story of the angels' announcement to the shepherds and shares some stories that resonate.

12/15/24 Guest preacher Chris Hoklotubbe reflects on themes of finding joy in darkness in the Christmas story.

12/8/24 David reflects on the 2nd Sunday of Advent theme of peace, looking at the story of the magi bringing their gifts to Jesus. Clara Reynen also shares about re-purposing propaganda posters for new paper.

12/1/24 Tom kicks off Advent looking at the Bible story of Anna and Simeon, two elderly people who could perceive God's presence.

11/24/24 Adey reflects on the story of Jesus and Nicodemus, and the invitation to be "born again," to live in the light.

11/17/24 Tom looks at Psalm 23 as a model for finding God in these tumultuous times.

11/10/24 Post-election Sunday. Adey opens and closes with some reflections as well as room for prayer. Onyx Angus shares a poem. David leads an exercise in writing a Lament. Tom draws parallels to the book of Ecclesiastes.

11/3/24 Reflecting on Jeremiah, David names some aspects of prophetic imagination worth imitating as we consider hopes and fears related to the election.

10/27/24 Adey reflects on a healing story from the Bible and then shares reflections from a few Sanctuary members about their experiences of disability, pain, or chronic illness.

10/20/24 David looks at Jesus' response to a family squabble and how it provides a model for God's stance towards human conflict.

10/13/24 Guest preacher Chris McMillan explores the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and how it relates to our own lives today.

10/6/24 Tom looks at the transformation of Peter and how it invites us to tell our whole story.

9/29/24 Amy Kraber preaches at our all ages worship service about the parable of the mustard seed.

9/22/24 In this abbreviated message during our Hands On Faith Sunday, Adey preaches from Isaiah 58 which shows God's emphasis on justice and action rather than empty spiritual practices.

9/15/24 Adey looks at change in the Apostle Paul as a model for us today.

9/8/24 David takes up the common theme in the Bible of "singing a new song" and how that applies to us today. He shares the story of Dave Grohl from Nirvana and the Foo Fighters as a model for facing suffering, experiencing transformation, and coming on out on the other side with new songs.

9/1/24 Tom reflects on the role of music in singing at Sanctuary.

8/25/24 Adey and Tom reflect on 25 years of Sanctuary: the surprise, the joy, the laughter, and the transformation it has brought.

8/18/24 David looks at the story of the anointing of King David and how God prioritizes the heart—the rich interior of every person.

8/11/24 Tom looks at Jesus' use of parables as an entry point into an entirely different kind of existence.

8/4/24 Adey looks at the story of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane and offers a compassionate lens on the sleeping disciples.

7/28/24 David gets into that Olympic spirit and looks at the classic competition between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Elijah wins the contest, but then he tragically becomes just like his enemies and resorts to violence.

7/21/24 Tom reflects on the good news that Jesus taught in parables.

7/14/24 After a rousing game of Simon Says, David looks at God's gift of authority. He draws two examples of good authority from the story of Jesus turning water into wine.

7/7/24 Adey considers how we might respond when someone we respect gives bad advice. She uses a compelling example from the book of Ezra.

6/30/24 In our all ages service, Sanctuary's Kids Ministry Assistant, Amy Kraber, shares her love of rocks and how it connects with God's gifts of awe and wonder.

6/23/24 David compares Ecclesiastes to Colossians to identify the difference between languishing and flourishing.

6/16/24 James Tutson reflects on how anger might be useful in liberation. He looks at one of Jesus' interactions with the religious leaders of his day.

6/9/24 Tom looks at a few of Jesus' teachings and how he always chooses compassion rather than sacrifice.

6/2/24 Adey preaches from the story of David and Bathsheba, pointing out how the interpretive tradition largely ignores or diminishes what is certainly an act of rape or sexual abuse.

5/26/24 Guest preacher Chris McMillan explores and encourages an "ethic of radical care" based on the story of Elijah and the widow from 1 Kings.

5/19/24 On Pentecost Sunday, David reflects on the gift of God's Spirit and the inspiration for visions and dreams.

5/12/24 On this Mother's Day, Tom reflects on how Jesus describes his relationship with his heavenly Father and how it includes motherhood.

5/5/24 Adey looks at Jesus' critique of unhealthy leadership.

4/28/24 David links Jesus' gospel message with advocacy for racial justice. He references (and heartily recommends) the book THE SUM OF US by Heather McGhee.

4/21/24 Tom ties Jesus' teachings on apocalypse to Earth Day and global climate change.

4/14/24 Adey describes the pathway of true healing vs alleviating symptoms of deeper problems.

4/7/24 David leads through a reflection on Psalm 8 and its focus on the most glorious aspect of creation: human beings.

3/31/24 Tom looks at Jesus' lessons on truth and belonging in connection to the Easter story.

3/24/24 Adey wraps up our Lent teaching series with a look at how Jesus repurposes and redefines success.

3/17/24 David continues our Lent teachings series by taking a look at how stories of faith incorporate myth & magic. Starting with St. Patrick and then looking at the story of Samson from the Bible, there's a lot to unpack. In the midst of the magic, there are some important lessons about God and faith.

3/10/24 Tom continues our Lent series called REPURPOSE with a look at how Jesus reexamines and redefines sin.

3/3/24 Our Lent teaching series continues as Adey dives into a story that shows how Jesus liberates women, repurposing the constraining roles and expectations.

2/25/24 Terri Draper leads a spotlight on Jerena Lee for Black History Month, and then David continues our REPURPOSE Lent teaching series by looking at money and wealth from one of the wildest parables in the Bible.

2/18/24 After a spotlight on Black History Month from Brett Cloyd, Tom kicks off our Lent teaching series called REPURPOSE with a closer look at Jesus' overall strategy.

2/11/24 After a Black History Month spotlight on Howard Thurman, Adey offers a compelling sermon about why Sanctuary does not emphasize theological doctrine or creedal statements.

2/4/24 Jen Brown shares our Black History Month spotlight on Mary McLeod Bethune. Then Chris McMillan preaches on the story of Zacchaeus.

1/28/24 David reflects on the connection between sleep and faith. Sleep is human. And sleep is divine.

1/21/24 James Tutson, Sanctuary's worship director, reflects on the connection between singing, preaching, and the nature of the Gospel.

1/14/24 Tom reflects on how at odds we are with ourselves and where God is in the midst of that internal conflict.