First Church Berkeley Godcast

July 21, 2019 • 10 am • Anatomy of a Refusal • Rev. Lynice Pinkard • First Church Berkeley UCC

July 14, 2019 • 10 am • Dear Church • Molly Baskette

July 7, 2019 • 10 am • Love God, Full Out! Then, Love Neighbor • Kit Novotny

June 30, 2019 • 10 am • Free and Fruitful • Kit Novotny

FCCB Sunday Services John 3:1-10

Rev. Molly Baskette preaches about striving to love our neighbors by trusting in God's abundance and strength even in our time's of trial and despair.

Rev. Rhina Ramos, from Plymouth United Church of Christ in Oakland, CA, preaches at First Church Berkeley UCC about her experiences as a lesbian and minister.

First Church Berkeley Sunday Sermon

First Church Berkeley Sunday Sermon

Rev. Kit Novotny speaks, on Mental Health Sunday, about closing the gap between Us and Them.

Lyvonne Proverbs speaks about her experiences

With the world telling us to do more and to be "doers", there is a quiet call for silence and a vigilance of nothingness. Let's dig our roots in deep, reach them out to others, while listening for the call of God's love in our lives.

On his last Sunday, Phil Porter explores the idea of "providence," especially as it has related to his many years at First Church Berkeley. If God has plans for us, we are passive characters in the story, but must listen and discern where we might be led.

The gospel writers had four different endings to the Easter story. Other gospels discovered later offered us even more! Perhaps they were not writing endings--but beginnings. Perhaps we are each a gospel, a resurrection-in-progress, and still becoming.

Phil Porter focuses on the celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with an impromptu and humble parade. What is it that any of us might hope for if we were a witness to that important parade?

Emerging Leader Bree Elle Gardner explores doubt and certainty in the story of Job. Certainty has hardened Job’s heart and it takes God’s “tough love” for Job to realize he has only uttered small talk about wonders way over his head.

Guest Preacher Rev. Elena Larssen explores the story of Zacchaeus, who has a special encounter with Jesus, and commits to rearranging his life to make room for new things.

On the first Sunday of Lent, Molly Baskette reflects on the story of a surprisingly large catch of fish as Jesus calls his first disciples. Simon responds by declaring himself a sinner. He may sense that Jesus is about to ask everything of him.

Emerging Leader Trust Hilton reflects on the story of Jesus breaking bread with his disciples, noticing that Jesus is excited about sharing a meal with his friends. As he blesses bread and wine, he invites them to remember him.

Jesus invites his followers to a kind of love that is not attached to results or outcomes. If we are willing to release our expectations, perhaps we will have more time for genuine curiosity about reality. We might expect nothing but hope for everything.