Publications

“What Needs To Be Opened?” (Mark 7:31-37)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

A Deaf man was brought to Jesus for a miracle. Should we expect people to conform to the way we do things, or should we find ways to make room for people so that all people can be welcomed? After all, Jesus welcomed *all* people, no exceptions.

“Speaking Truth to Power” (2 Samuel 11:26-12:10)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Today we end the story of David, reflecting on his legacy and the importance of having someone in our lives who loves us enough to tell us the truth.

“The Beginning of the End” (2 Samuel 11:1-15)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

David may have been a good and righteous man in the first part of his story, but when he took his privileges for granted and began to regard his subjects as objects to be used and thrown away, his control and his kingdom began to fall apart. *Today's scripture and sermon include an act of sexual assault that might not be appropriate for some viewers.*

“The Ark and the Water Jar” (John 4:5-42)

On our first Sunday back in the sanctuary, Pastor Leia relates deeply to David and the Israelites as they dance towards Jerusalem with the ark of the covenant and also draws parallels between our experience during sixteen long months away throughout the pandemic and the experience of the Samaritan woman who left her water jar at the well and went back to the city. Jesus kept her jar safe for her return and was with her on every step of her journey.

“Home” (2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Zephaniah 3:14-20)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

During our final fully virtual service, Pastor Leia considers the coronation of David, the symbolism of him making his home in Jerusalem, and the recurring Biblical theme of God calling us home.

“The Song of Hard Things” (1 Samuel 18:1-9, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

In today's installment of the story of David, David composes a song of lament to mourn the death of Jonathan, whom he had loved as his soul, but also to mourn the death of King Saul: the man he once was, the relationships that he could have had with those around him, and the king that Israel deserved to have but did not find in Saul.

“Agincourt: an echo of David and Goliath” (1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

The story of David and Goliath is better framed as a story of using a new strategy and a more effective technique rather than doing what is expected, even though the story is often as the unlikely triumph of an underdog. Also, Pastor Leia gushes about the fascinating history of the battle of Agincourt, where something similar happened in 1415.

“Regret and Perseverance” (1 Samuel 15:34-16:13)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Even though we as humans will always make mistakes, God loves us anyway. In today's story, Israel has come to regret crowning Saul as king, but rather than say "I told you so," God guides Samuel to find a new king.

“Give Us a King” (1 Samuel 8:1-22a, 11:14-15)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

There is no single human who will ever be perfect or fully satisfy anyone's needs and yet it is human nature to look to others for guidance and leadership, no matter how many times rulers have disappointed us. In today's story, a monarchy is established in Israel, setting the stage for generations of drama, wisdom, division, heroism, and conflict, for better or for worse.

“Each Had Six Wings; and other surprising imagery for the divine” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

There is a rich diversity of metaphors for God throughout the Bible. On this Trinity Sunday, we look at a sampling of them and how human language is never quite enough to encompass something as big as God.