Sermons

Kings Shall Rise Up

January 19, 2014

Preached on January 19, 2014 in Ankeny UCC Sermon Text: Isaiah 49:1-7 In this complicated text, we are able to experience it with different ears. And it reminds us that in this world, things we take for granted may look different to other people. On this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, it is time to […]

Sermons

Things Known and Things Unknown

January 12, 2014

Preached in Ankeny UCC by Nathan Willard on January 12, 2014 Sermon Text John 1:1-18 When does the student surpass the teacher?

Sermons

Lighting Up the World

January 5, 2014

Preached by Nathan Willard on January 5, 2014 in Ankeny UCC Sermon Text John 1:1-18 We get uncomfortable with the myths and mysteries of our faith, the things that go beyond our facts. With the incarnation, we are reminded that Jesus remains bigger than the worldview we can imagine. Here, we are able to transcend […]

Sermons

Christmas Presence

December 29, 2013

Preached December 29, 2013 in Ankeny UCC. Sermon text Isaiah 63:7-9 Following the words of Isaiah, we remember that it was Emmanuel, God with us, who appeared on Christmas to sustain our stories beyond the losses and failures we see in front of us. Isaiah reminds us that our story does not begin in exile […]

Sermons

Christmas Message

December 24, 2013

A homily preached December 24, 2013 in Ankeny UCC by Nathan Willard. This sermon followed a singing of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and is based on the 9 lessons and carols that we read and sang on Christmas Eve. What is the enduring lesson of the Christmas story? That we may all be our […]