Sermons & Announcements

Discover what it means to belong.

This All Saints Sunday sermon reflects on the legacy of progressive Christianity, from the founding of New York’s historic Riverside Church to the remarkable individuals who helped shape the Congregational Church of La Jolla. Drawing on the words of Henry Emerson Fosdick’s beloved hymn, “God of Grace, God of Glory,” Rev. Tim considers the courage required to sustain a faith rooted in intellectual freedom, compassion, and social justice.

What can St. Francis of Assisi teach us about loving creation, making peace, and embracing the untamed parts of ourselves?

In this sermon for our annual Blessing of the Animals, Rev. Tim reflects on the life of a saint who traded wealth and privilege for simplicity, compassion, and a radical commitment to following Jesus. From befriending society’s outcasts to seeking peace amid the Crusades, Francis embodied a love that crossed boundaries and challenged convention.

What does it mean to live faithfully amid injustice, corruption, and oppressive power?

In Matthew 22:15–22, Jesus faces a trap posed by the question: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? His response, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s,” is often misinterpreted as a call to keep faith out of politics. But what if Jesus was doing precisely the opposite?

Even behind prison walls, the things that matter most shine through.

In his sermon on Philippians 4:1-9, Rev. Tim Seery reflects on the Apostle Paul’s call to unity, gratitude, and a Christ-centered life. Writing from prison, Paul urges a divided congregation to set aside its differences and focus on what is true, noble, just, and worthy of praise. His message reminds us that even amid anxiety and conflict, our shared purpose must remain greater than our disagreements.

What if the thing we are most tempted to throw away is actually the thing we need most?

In this sermon on the Parable of the Tenants, the image of “the stone the builders refused” becomes a powerful reflection on who—and what—we choose to center in our lives. Jesus reminds us that God’s vision is often upside down: the rejected, forgotten, and overlooked can become the very foundation of something new.