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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 27, 2019 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Stories Untold: Mary Magdalene

There has always been a lot of speculation about Mary Magdalene and, sadly, artists throughout history have portrayed her as a prostitute. All we know about her from Scripture, though, is that she was a disciple of Jesus and Jesus cast out seven demons fr

Jan 6, 2019 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Stories Untold: Vashti + Esther

Join Pastor Jen as she kicks off our new sermon series, "Stories Untold: Women of the Bible." This week we learn about Queen Vashti, the predecessor of Queen Esther, and her role in empowering Esther and other women to work for justice in the midst of opp

Dec 16, 2018 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Down & Dirty: A Deranged Man in Power

As we look at the messy reality of Jesus' birth, we can't forget the frightening stories of King Herod, the unhinged, paranoid tyrant in power at the time. Join Pastor Jen as we take a look at this ruthless leader and ask ourselves how he might still be i

Dec 2, 2018 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Down and Dirty: A Messy Family Tree

As we dig deeper into the real nativity story, we find that Jesus' family tree is not full of saints. Instead, it is as messy, and weird, and uncomfortable as any other family tree. Join Pastor Jen as she explores the family stories Jesus would have heard

Nov 18, 2018 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Sweet Dreams: Climate Change

In response to the question: "What keeps you up at night?" several of our survey responders said climate change. Join Pastor Jen as we explore the history and present reality of climate change, and understand why we as people of faith are called to respon

Nov 4, 2018 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

All Saints Sunday

All Saints Day is a Sunday when we participate in some odd rituals. Come to think of it, the Christian Church is full of odd rituals! Join Pastor Jen as she delves into the meaning of All Saints Sunday and explains why we as Christ-followers are called to

Oct 21, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Let's Talk About Hell

How can God be all-loving and still condemn people to hell? Is God really that volatile? Join Pastor Jen as she examines passages about hell in the Bible and holds them in tension with the merciful Creator described in Jesus’s teachings.

Oct 7, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

World Communion Sunday: Building Something Better

Join Pastor Jen in examining the story of the Tower of Babel. Is it possible that diversity is not God's punishment for humanity, but rather God's divine design for us?

Sep 16, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

5 Greek Words Every Christian Should Know: Doxa

Our word for today is doxa, and Pastor jen will be teaching us about the story of Jesus healing 10 lepers. But there is more to this story than simply healing a skin disease or giving thanks--the heart of this story lies in the identity of the leper who t

Sep 2, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

5 Greek Words Every Christian Should Know: Henotes

Why is it important to live in commUNITY? Join Pastor Jen as she looks at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and teaches about henotes, the Greek word for “unity.”

Aug 19, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Tweetable Scriptures: Holy Ground

We live in an ordinary world…and yet, God infuses it with extraordinary miracles! Join Pastor Jen as she examines the story of Moses and the burning bush and asks the question, “What if all ground is holy ground?"

Aug 5, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Tweetable Scriptures: The Word

This single beloved line from Psalm 119 packs quite a spiritual punch. Join Pastor Jen as she examines why the psalmist encourages us to cling to God's Word...and explains why she doesn't like lamps!

Jul 22, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Tweetable Scriptures: The Vine

It’s a short and well-known verse, but what does it really mean to be a branch connected to the vine of Jesus? What does it really mean to bear fruit in this world? Join Pastor Jen as she kicks off our new sermon series, “Tweetable Scriptures: the Gos

Jul 8, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Bodylicious: Bones

This week we talk about the dry bones Ezekiel encountered. How do old, dusty bones have hope for new life? What are the dry bones of regret in your life and in our world, and how might be join God in bringing breath back into them? Join us.

Jun 17, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Bodylicious: The Tongue

This week we take a look at the tongue! How did Jesus use his tongue? How might we use our tongues to create positive change, to speak God's truth and to help bring justice to our world? Join us as we examine this small but mighty appendage!

Jun 3, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Bodylicious: Adam's Rib

Our first sermon in this series examines the famous story of Adam's rib. How does this second account of creation compare to the first? Despite the traditional gender roles that align with this narrative, are there any progressive theological aspects of t

May 20, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

The First 100 Days: The Spirit Came to Us

On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming to us like wind and flames. What did that fiery day mean for the first apostles, and what does it mean for us today?

May 6, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

The First 100 Days: I'm Going to Need Some ID...

Just after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples to offer them peace. Thomas was mysteriously absent for that encounter and when he returned he could not believe what he heard about it! He has since been known as Doubting Thomas. Join Pastor J

Apr 22, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

I'm In! Zacchaeus

Zaccheaus was a man who had become rich at the expense of his fellow citizens. He was despised by his own community. Join Pastor Jen as we discover how his encounter with Christ changed his life, causing him to break free from a system of oppression and p

Apr 1, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Were You There?: Mary Magdalene (Easter Sunday)

In our last installment on Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene is in the garden after Christ's resurrection, but she mistakes the risen Christ for the gardener. So too do two disciples fail to recognize Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Had Jesus changed in some way

Mar 30, 2018 12:00 PM America/Los_Angeles

Were You There?: The Women at the Cross (Good Friday)

On Good Friday, we gather with the women at the foot of Jesus' cross, and we weep. But Jesus tells us not to weep for him, but to weep for ourselves. We have much to weep for these days. Tonight, we descend into the darkness of our world in the hopes that

Mar 18, 2018 3:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Were You There?: The Criminals

Salvation is a complicated theological concept. Could we learn about what it means from an executed criminal? Join us as we read the story of Saint Dismas, the Penitent Thief, who found salvation in the most unlikely place.

Mar 4, 2018 2:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Were You There?: Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee who had all of the answers. So why does he come to Jesus in the middle of the night asking questions? Join us as we unravel Nicodemus' tightly wound theology and discover the beauty of the Spirit's mystery.