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Claremont United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland

Browse published sermons from Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland in Claremont United Church of Christ.

Jan 30, 2022 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Wisdom From Around the World: The Rules of the Seed

This week, Pastor Jen tells a story she heard from a mission worker in South Sudan that is both powerful and heart-breaking. She then recounts The Parable of the Mustard Seed and asks how the kingdom of God might be growing quietly among us even now.

Jan 16, 2022 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Wisdom From Around the World: Beyond the Mountains, More Mountains

Pastor Jen kicks off our new sermon series, Wisdom From Around the World, by examining a Haitian proverb that speaks to our human experience of facing challenge after challenge. What wisdom does Jesus offer us in the face of stress, anxiety, and hardship?

Dec 12, 2021 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

King of Kings: Jesus vs. Henry VIII

Pastor Jen puts Henry VIII up against Jesus and considers how they each treated the women in their lives. Spoiler alert: Henry wasn’t very nice to them!

Nov 28, 2021 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Kings of Kings: Jesus vs Nero-Jen

Pastor Jen kicks off our Advent sermon series, “King of Kings” by sharing the history of Israel’s relationship with kings and comparing Jesus to an infamous emperor of Rome, Nero. While Nero was power-hungry, self-obsessed, and violent, Jesus was th

Oct 17, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Ghost Stories: Faith Through The Fire

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are known for surviving the fiery furnace, but the real reason they are heroes of our faith is because of their unconditional love for God. Join Pastor Jen for this spooky and inspiring story.

Sep 26, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Wabi-Sabi: Accepting Impermanence

Finishing up our Wabi-Sabi sermon series, Pastor Jen considers how the brief lives of our animal companions helps us accept the impermanence of this world and find beauty in being present each day.

Sep 12, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Wabi-Sabi: We Are The People

Although King David’s abuse of power and assault of Bathsheba is extreme, his story reminds us that we all fall short of God’s dream for us. By acknowledging our sins and failures, we open ourselves up to new healing, transformation, and wholeness. Li

Aug 29, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Wabi-Sabi: Martha & Mary

Historically, the story of Martha and Mary paints Martha as the harried housewife and Mary as the devoted student at Jesus’ feet. But a closer look at the original Greek offers a slightly different understanding of these sisters. Join Pastor Jen as we k

Aug 15, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Crossing Rivers: A Step of Faith

As the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the long-awaited Promised Land, God asks them to get their feet wet this time as an act of faith. They are also invited to gather stones from the riverbed and build an Ebenezer to remind them of how faithful

Aug 1, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Crossing Rivers: The Red Sea

When the Israelites fled Egypt they were fleeing enslavement, violence, chaos, and oppression. God parted the Red Sea to lead them toward freedom, life, and a new future filled with hope. In our chaotic world today, we must have faith that God will delive

Jul 18, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Myths and Monsters: David & Goliath

Most of us heard the story of David and Goliath for the first time as children, but the nuances of the story become even more powerful as adults. What can we learn from David about facing our own giants in today's fractured world.

Jul 4, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Myths and Monsters: The Nephilim

Christianity has become a mainstream religion in America, but sometimes we forget that our Scriptures are full of strange mythical creatures and bizarre monsters such as the Nephilim. Join Pastor Jen as she kicks off this new sermon series and invites us

May 30, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Created to Create: In Order to Create, We Must BE OPEN

The story of Paul's non-linear mission path through Asia Minor and his chance encounter with Lydia teaches us that if our creative projects (including our lives) are not neat and tidy, we are doing them just right.

May 16, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Created to Create: In Order to Create, We Must DREAM

As human beings, we are created to create. If we can align our creativity with God's unfolding dream for the world, we will not only be giving the world our greatest gifts, but also tapping into some divine magic.

May 9, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Be the Change: If You Don't Like it, Change It!

When being the change in the world, the Canaanite woman gives us this advice: Shout if you must! Make a scene if you need to. Repeat your requests. Let insults roll off your back. And believe that God is on your side even if God doesn't realize it yet.

Apr 25, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Be the Change: The Good Samaritan

The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us that our faith in God is our first step in ministry to the world. Christ calls us to not only hear and believe his teachings but to live them out in our lives.

Apr 11, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Holy Fragments: Stranger or Savior?

On the way to Emmaus, two strangers encounter Jesus unexpectedly. What strangers in your life might be waiting to show you the light of Christ?

Mar 14, 2021 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Holy Fragments: Healing From the Inside Out

Jesus' healing miracles are never just about the body. They are always widening the boundaries of community and acceptance. If we can join him in this expansive inclusion, we too can be healed.

Feb 28, 2021 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Holy Fragments: Who is IN and Who is OUT

If Jesus wants to dine with someone who is rejected and despised by their own community, then who is IN and who is OUT of the circle of compassion? Pastor Jen examines Jesus' determination to engage with brokenness in order to heal and transform that brok

Jan 17, 2021 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Didn't See That Coming: Brick by Brick

The teachings of Christ and the legacy of Dr. King invite us to reject Cain's dismissal of his brother and instead become caretakers of our siblings. How might we build beloved community brick by brick and choice by choice?

Jan 3, 2021 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Epiphany: Hidden in Plain Sight

Contrary to popular belief, the magi were probably not following a giant, unmissable star in the sky. Instead, they were seekers of truth who had spent their whole lives looking carefully for signs of the divine. What big and small epiphanies might God be