The Bible isn't just a collection of writings from thousands of years ago, it is often remarkably relevant to living today. For example, we can mourn the state of our divided world. Or we can find hope and sustenance as we pursue a world that is open, inclusive, just, and compassionate through the teachings of Jesus and the prophets. Listen to Rev. Dr. David Bahr from Mission Hills United Church of Christ in San Diego make connections to scripture for living faith-fully today. Learn more abo ...
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Read more in 2nd Samuel 6 about an obscure character who shows we have choices in our non-choices If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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In the middle of stories about wars and death is a surprisingly tender story of two warriors. Read it 2nd Samuel If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhil…
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Our series continues with the transition from King Saul to David - a prelude. I hope today is not a prelude to a new king in America If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contr…
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Here's a fresh take on a story so iconic, even non-religious people know it. Read 1st Samuel 17 for more If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.or…
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Listen to the story of how David was chosen to become the new king of Israel. Based on 1st Samuel 16 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/gi…
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Our series continues with the demand to Samuel to give them a king, to be like everybody else. People are faith are meant to be different. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring…
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This is the first in our ongoing series leading up to and beyond the reign of King David - a series of meaningful, heartbreaking, and funny stories. Come along for the journey this summer. It all starts with Hannah, mother of the great prophet Samuel Read First Samuel 1-3 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church…
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This is the conclusion of our series on Peter. Read Acts 12 Christianity isn’t about achieving perfection. Can I get an amen? Christianity isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s always an aspiration and commitment to start again. So, my question: Do you aspire to do better? Forgive more often, slow you’re your anger, practice patience, love a littl…
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Peter and Cornelius both had unusual dreams. They are why we belong. See Acts 10 for the whole story If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/gi…
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The General Conference of the United Methodist Church just voted to overturn its prohibition against openly LGBTQ clergy. Some are celebrating while others may be embarrassed to be associated with a denomination that would do such a thing. I was raised in the UMC and this decision is not so far removed from all of us. If this sermon was meaningful …
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This is less an inspiring story as it is a cautionary tale about a couple named Ananias and Saphira and their motivations Read Acts 5 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring cont…
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Peter and John did something extraordinary “In the name of Jesus.” As I thought about my sermon title today, the phrase “in the name of Jesus” kept coming to mind, but I hesitated – picture the over-the-top antics of a television evangelist. “In the name of Jeee-sus!” But I kept the title because I want to tell you about something extraordinary don…
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Peter decided what criteria should be met for a 12th apostle to fill the seat of Judas Iscariot. He overlooked the one and only candidate that should have been considered. Why? Read text from Acts 1 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Missio…
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Listen to the story of Peter from the beginning to Jesus' post-resurrection question: Do you love me? If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/g…
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From John 13, this text teaches that Christians in America don't need more power, they need more humility. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.…
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Read Matthew 17: 1-9. Peter wasn't sure how to respond to something that couldn't be explained - the way Jesus had been transformed right in front of his face. So he proposed something to do. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills…
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The text is from Matthew 16: 13-20 Peter succeeds and then fails to understand who Jesus really is If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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We continue to focus on the life and faith of Peter and today learn about a little-known hero of Black History - Diane Nash. The text is Matthew 14: 22-33 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one t…
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Peter’s names pop up in story after story, but not as a complete narrative of his own. This Lent, we’re going to take a deeper dive into the faith of this one individual, and yet even so, we’ll only get to skim the surface of this impetuous, impulsive, and unfiltered character. A deeply flawed but even more deeply passionate and committed disciple …
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Hear the story of The People Who Could Fly, learn more about the Mother of the Movement - Septima Clark, and be inspired by Amanda Gorman If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring …
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A little mix of UCC and Black history to begin February If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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There is more to her than appears on the surface. Let's dig a little deeper. Read Mark 1: 29-39 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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The Book of Jonah is a hilarious and true story - if what you mean is that it is full of uncomfortable truths about human behavior. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contri…
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This sermon includes stories from Jonathan Eig's new biography King: A Life. And references a famous line from the Prophet Amos. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribut…
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There are famous lines like "Vanity, vanity" and "there is a season for everything." But do they mean and what do we do with them? If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contrib…
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The journey to visit Elizabeth would have been dangerous for Mary. Giving birth may have been dangerous for Elizabeth. Both had improbable news to share. So what did they do? Read Luke 1: 26-45 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hil…
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The season of Advent begins the journey to Christmas. This sermon starts in Luke 1 with the angel Gabriel telling Zechariah that his wife would become pregnant with the one to precede Jesus. Read Luke chapter 1 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the minist…
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This is the final sermon is our great sweep of history from Abraham to the Promised Land. Now that we've arrived, what next? The text for today is from Joshua 24 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with …
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I tried to compile my top ten favorite Bible passages but could only limit myself to 106. So I tried to identify my top ten themes. If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contri…
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What explanation can be given after 40 years of faithful leadership? Read Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/giveDi Mission Hills UCC - United Church of Christ
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Read Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 to hear where we find true liberation If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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The Israelites have a new complaint, but actually, it's one they already made. Read Exodus 17:1-7 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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Having been freed from slavery, Moses the people face new challenges. Read Exodus 16 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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The story of how Moses and Aaron tried to convince Pharoah to let the people go for a three day festival in the desert If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - miss…
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The series from Abraham to the Promised Land continues with the events leading up to Moses' encounter with God at the Burning Bush If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contrib…
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Joseph dies and a new Pharaoh comes to power Read Exodus 1 and 2 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsucc.org/give…
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Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. What happens when they are reunited? Read Genesis 45: 1-15 If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You are invited to support the ministry of Mission Hills United Church of Christ with a one time or recurring contribution - missionhillsuc…
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Our summer series moves on to the next generation with the little twerp, 17 year old Joseph, rubbing his favorite status in the faces of his brothers. Read Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28 Read at https://davidbahr.weebly.com/sermons/little-brothers-and-big-dreams Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSpE_PNSGZY If this sermon was meaningful to you, lear…
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Our summer series continues with the dirty tricks scoundrel Jacob escaping the murderous rage of his twin brother and what he discovers one night in a dream. Find the story in Genesis 28: 10-19 Read at https://davidbahr.weebly.com/sermons/surely-god-is-in-this-place Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkmcZv0L21E If this sermon was meaningful …
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Our summer series continues with Jacob wrestling the night before reuniting with his twin brother - whom he has cheated and deceived. How does Esau respond? Read at https://davidbahr.weebly.com/sermons/blessed-wrestling Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqRLJBpli2E If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church…
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This is the first in our summer series beginning with "A wandering Aramean is my father" and the story of Abraham and Sarah - tied to the observance of Juneteenth Read at https://davidbahr.weebly.com/sermons/juneteenth-is-our-story Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFZHaTLWc-w If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest o…
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Our summer series continues with the story of Hagar found in Genesis 21: 8-21 Read at https://davidbahr.weebly.com/sermons/hope-survives Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4nqTYDB_hY - poor quality video due to technical issues this week If this sermon was meaningful to you, learn more about the rest of our church at missionhillsucc.org. You…
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Our summer series continues with just the first part of the story of Jacob, the dirty tricks scoundrel, and his twin brother, easily fooled, Esau. Found in Genesis 25: 19-34 Read at https://davidbahr.weebly.com/sermons/interesting-characters-in-our-family-tree Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNNaUo6iBIA If this sermon was meaningful to you…
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Do they share any commonalities? Remarkably, they do. This sermon on Matthew 1: 18-25, preached on December 11, 2022, celebrates Joseph and his choices. And asks us to consider what we would do. For a print version, click here Or watch the whole worship service at Mission Hills United Church of Christ in San Diego on December 11, 2022 here If you a…
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