Listen to an individual sermon—Click on the “Listen to this sermon” link to play the mp3 file of that sermon. To save the file to your computer and listen later, right-click (Windows) or option-click (Mac) on the “Listen to this sermon” link for that sermon.
Subscribe to podcasts of LCH sermon audio—Click on one on the icons below to have LCH Sermons delivered directly to your computer each week.
iTunes Podcast Directory—Use this icon to subscribe via the iTunes Store (and raise our popularity index on iTunes).
Podcast RSS—Use this icon to subscribe via your default RSS application.
For recorded sermons since Easter 2007 and earlier sermon texts, visit our Sermon Archive.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 26—September 25, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Amos 6:1a,4–7 | Psalm 146 | 1 Timothy 6:6–19 | Luke 16:19–31
Summary: Today’s Gospel parable about the rich man and Lazarus starts out like a classic morality play, but it changes when Abraham tells the rich man in Hades that his brothers have Moses and the prophets, so even sending someone risen from the dead would not help them. The parable is not about the afterlife; it is about our lives here and now. The parable shows us that even with our wealth, we must see those in need who are least like us. This is how we find life that really is life.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 25—September 18, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Amos 8:4–7 | Psalm 113 | 1 Timothy 2:1–7 | Luke 16:1–13
Summary: Today’s Gospel text about the unjust manager is very confusing, and no one has a very good idea what it means. The manager’s behavior makes no sense in the context of Luke’s attitude towards the wealthy. So, let’s concentrate on the last part where Jesus tells us that we cannot serve both God and wealth. When we focus our lives on God and remember that we belong to God, we can live lives free from serving wealth.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 24—September 11, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Exodus 32:7–14 | Psalm 51:1–10 | 1 Timothy 1:12–17 | Luke 15:1–10
Summary: Many of us have a problem loosing things, and when that happens, the lost thing becomes the center of our attention. We can also loose ourselves and forget who we are. The people of Israel in our first lesson worshipped the golden calf, but God welcomed them back. In the Gospel, Jesus gathers sinners back and talks about lost things. We wander in and out of relationship with God, but God always finds us and brings us back.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 23—September 4, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Deuteronomy 30:15–20 | Psalm 1 | Philemon 1:1–21 | Luke 14:25–33
Summary: All three lessons today are about sacrifices and choices. When we face hard choices, it can see hopeless; but when we act on hope, we are willing to take those risks. We know our discipleship can be costly, but the sacrifices of following Jesus bring us abundant life and lead to the healing of the world.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 22—August 28, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Proverbs 26:6–7 | Psalm 112 | Hebrews 13:1–8, 15–16 | Luke 14:1, 7–14
Summary: The norm in our culture is for everyone to value upward mobility and the pursuit of wealth, power, and beauty. Jesus draws us sideways to take the lower seat and invite the poor. We have been raised to expect a reward for our good deeds, but God calls us to give and sacrifice without a desire for rewards. We move sideways into the love of others and the grace of God.
This sermon was not recorded for technical reasons.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 21—August 21, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 58:9b–14 | Psalm 103:1–8 | Hebrews 12:18–29 | Luke 13:10–17
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a woman who is crippled and bent over, and she stands up. The temple leader tells the people that they should not come to be healed on the Sabbath, but Jesus says that it is necessary to heal on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a time for us to be released from what binds us. It is an opportunity to gather with God’s family and to share the power and peace of God’s presence.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 20—August 14, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Phyllis Hormann
Lessons: Jeremiah 23:23–29 | Psalm 82 | Hebrews 11:29—12:2 | Luke 12:49–56
Summary: Today’s readings lead us to reflect on our lives and our life together as a congregation. The reading from Hebrews tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, who have persevered by faith. We are connected to them through faith as runners in a relay race. We receive the baton from those who came before us, and we pass it on to those who come after. Trusting in God, who is always with us, we can see opportunities around us and bravely persevere in the race before us.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 19—August 7, 2016
Preacher: Pastor J.P. Sabbithi
Lessons: Genesis 15:1–6 | Luke 12:32–40
Summary: In our first lesson, Abram was afraid because he had no heir, and God came with the message “Be not afraid.” The opposite of fear is faith. Abram wanted an heir, and God promised a nation. Abram had faith in God’s promise. Later that faith made him ready to give up his son, Isaac. God replaced Isaac with a lamb, and generations later the lamb is replace with Jesus. As people of faith, Jesus is our captain who takes us safely through any storm.