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Weekly Sermons from All Souls Congregational Church, Bangor ME
Why would God command us to observe a day of rest? Is it for God's benefit, or for ours? If not for God's benefit, perhaps all God's commands are meant to lead us toward a place of blessing? Yes indeed.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
Jesus calls us all away for the routine of our lives. He call us to proclaim the gospel and to share the love of God in word and in deed. Faithfulness to this calling is more important than ever.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
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All Souls Bangor
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Hope, Human Assumptions, and the Working of God
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In today's reading Jesus offers his first public sermon, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. At first the people seemed pleased, but Jesus pushes further. He suggest that while the people may indeed share a hope, they lack the faith to see how God is working toward its fulfillment, let alone the faith necessary to participate in that working. This e…
This weeks message is a reflection on the Baptism of Jesus. In subjecting himself to John's baptism, meant for sinful humanity, Jesus aligns himself with us. In so doing he transforms the water of baptism into a meeting place for the new covenant people of God of whom Christ is the head. Baptism reveals the mystery of our having been joined with Ch…
Throughout the season of advent we emphasized the coming of God into our midst. In these first weeks following Christmas we are confronted by the humanity of his coming. Today's messages wrestles with the mystery of Emmanuel. The one who comes to us as one of us, the Eternal Logos who while here on earth grows in both wisdom and stature and in favo…
Today we consider a scene from Jesus' childhood. He is brought to the temple, still an infant. Even so Anna and Simeon discern his presence and give praise to God. How sensitive are we to the leading of the Spirit that helps us to discern God's presence among us. How can we become more so? The first step is to pray. Lord, make yourself known. It is…
Our scripture lesson recounts Mary's angelic encounter and her faithful and humble response. Mary is called to do far more than bear a child but to raise one. Mary is called to love the one who is love, the one who will one day reveal God's love to the world. Though we are not called to raise the Christ child, we are called to love those around us …
Years before Jesus, the prophet Joel offered words that describe the impact of Jesus' ministry. Peter would quote those words in the first sermon of the church. In using those words, Peter reminds us that Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to make peace.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
In today's consideration of Daniel we see a clear demonstration of faithfulness. Daniel's faithfulness? Yes, certainly. But even more so, we witness the faithfulness of God, whose strong arm reaches and upholds us even in the midst of exile.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
Jeremiah lived during a tumultuous time. He not only warned of the coming Babylonian exile but watched it unfold. His words were not all doom and gloom, however. Even as exile drew near, he had words of hope to offer too. He reminded the people that impending hardships would not last forever. His words can provide encouragement to us as well. In th…
This week we look at the call of Isaiah and find there a threefold process that ought to be an ongoing part of our lives: Holy encounter, an assurance of grace, and the calling of God.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
Today's message reflects on the powerful message of a small book, the book of Jonah. Far from a children's story Jonah offers one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian ethic. The idea that God loves even our enemies and that we are called to do the same. But what precisely does that mean?By Rev. Chad L. Poland
We often question our ability to meet the demands of life or to make a lasting difference in the world. On our own, our doubts may indeed be well founded. However, when we are responding to a true call from God, God meets us and makes whatever it is we have to offer enough to advance his purposes. Is it enough? Who we are, what we have to offer? Pe…
Today's message considers briefly the promise of God to David. While it is David who offers to build a house for God, God opts instead to build a house for David. This house is not a place but a people of whom we are a part through Jesus Christ. In Christ and through Christ, the promise to David is fulfilled but that house is still expanding even t…
Today's message focuses on Hannah of 1 Samuel. We learn of her role in Old Testament history but we are also reminded of two important truths. This is that we ought to include God in every season of our lives, not just the bad and not just the good. We ought to include God in both of these, as well as everything in between. Secondly, we are reminde…
We look today at an important episode in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan. The Israelites did not know what had become of Moses and in his absence they built an idol. This message explores what may have led them to make such a grievous mistake and suggests how we might increasingly avoid the same. Our best bet is simply this, to trust that w…
The Passover refers to that event, during which the ancient Israelites are spared God's judgement over all of Egypt. This was the straw that broke the camel's proverbial back and led to their liberation from bondage. Even so, what a great cost, the death of the firstborn. Today's message considers that cost. How are we, as people of faith, to respo…
There are many places in the Old Testament where we can see hints of what is to come, of what God will do in Christ. The life of Joseph is a fine example. Similarities include betrayal for a few pieces of silver, being thrown into a pit/grave, but also the rise to a place of power. And from that place of power, both choose mercy over judgement.…
God made some pretty incredible promises to Abraham. God makes incredible promises to us as well. Often it is hard to trust in promises. We have been let down so many times before. But God's promises are trustworthy, not because they are easy to wrap our minds around, but because it is the Lord, the God of Heaven and Earth, who makes them.…
Week 1 in the 2020-2021 Narrative Lectionary, this message explores the second account of creation in Genesis 2 and 3.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
An exploration of Agape love which God extends to us and which we are called to extend to one another.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
An introduction to some of the ideas contained in the Letters of John.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
As Christians we celebrate and proclaim the grace of God. Sometimes, however, we can get preoccupied with trying to outline the limits of that grace. Our assurance of grace is not dependent on the condemnation of others. Perhaps God's grace will reach further than we think. This possibility should make our hearts glad. This message is offered as a …
Early on in the pandemic, when our suspension of in-person services were just beginning, we drew upon the Babylonian exile as a way of speaking about our experiences. As we resume services and schools prepare to reopen, we would do well to think about the experience of those who returned from exile. Things were not as they once were. We are realizi…
Today's message looks to the life of Joseph. We find there a message of hope and encouragement, a reminder that we cannot judge our lives by any one moment. The story of our life is still unfolding. Even now, God has a new chapter in mind. Knowing that, we ought never despair; but instead, trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God.…
This message explores unity, the call to be of one mind, and the power of agreement. It also touches upon the reality of disagreement and suggests that even in the midst of disagreement we can cling to unity and display the power of God to the world around us.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
As he did during his earthly ministry, Jesus still equips his disciples and sends them out to do the work of the Kingdom. Each of us is equipped in a unique way and God is at work in our efforts. We are right to trust that God is at work in our lives. We are right to trust in this even when things are not going as well as we might hope. Even then G…
In the second message on the book of Ruth,214 we explore Mosaic law as a way to better understand what is happening between Ruth and Boaz. While many of these practices may seem strange to us they were very much a part of the culture in that place and time. By understanding these practices we better understand what is meant by calling God our Redee…
This message is the first of two focused on the book of Ruth. Like Jonah it may have been lifted up during a time of ideological tension; but also like Jonah, it points us to Christ and the manner in which we ought to respond to the gospel. In this message we discover that Ruth's words can serve as a great model for us. As she clung to Naomi, so to…
The book of Jonah is often considered a story for children, yet it communicates to us some very important and challenging messages. Jonah reminds us that God's care and concern extends far beyond our own lives and the lives of those like us. Indeed God cares even for those we might consider enemies. Like Jonah, we often find it difficult to accept …
Pentecost marks the outpouring of God Holy Spirit upon the world. Pentecost marks the birth of church. Today's sermon explores the Pentecost event and what it means for our lives.By Rev. Chad L. Poland
As we approach Pentecost, we revisit the Easter proclamation of Christ's resurrection. in particular we examine the repercussions of worldview fully focused on the here and now, a worldview that rejects any spiritual or metaphysical reality, a worldview that dismisses even the possibility of life beyond the grave. Though we are prone to avoid or de…
In today's message we consider a portion of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, where he address divisions that had taken root in that community of believers. Are we prone to the same? What is the impact? What can we do to strive for unity in Christ's Church?By Rev. Chad L. Poland
Today we find Paul sharing the gospel in Thessalonica. Many come to faith but others do not respond very kindly. We are reminded in our passage today that the gospel is by nature a troublesome thing. It challenges systems of power and the status quo. It challenges us as well, to reexamine the living of our lives.…
Today we consider the two fold healing of a man whom Peter had found begging outside the temple. The first aspect of his healing was physical. The other aspect was the healing that comes with reconciliation to the community. This later healing is something all Christians can and should freely offer to the world.…
Just before his ascension, Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Jesus also tells them that after the Spirit has come, they will be his witnesses. After his ascension the disciples then devoted themselves to prayer. In this way, they waited for, welcomed, and even sought the promised Spirit. During this time of isolation we would b…
The gospel of Mark offers a unique look at the Resurrection. It is one that leads us to the mystery of an empty tomb and then leaves us with a promise. The promise is that he who is risen goes before us, that we may very well meet him along life's way. That promise can be both comforting and disconcerting. If Jesus lives, that alone changes everyth…
This message was offered for Palm Sunday while our in-person services remain suspended. It reflects on Jesus' unique ascension to the throne. He is king, yet he comes to his place of authority by way of a cross and a tomb. He is not the sort of king we may have expected, but he is the exactly the sort of king we needed. He is one that not only rule…
The coming of God's Kingdom is always accompanied by some level of disruption. When God's rule comes to bear in ways and places it had not been brought to bear before, the status quo will be overturned. At this present moment we are already experienced a rather large amount of disruption. There is no question that what had been the status quo has b…
This message comes from our first week of our worshiping apart due to the coronavirus outbreak and suspension of services. It was delivered to the congregation via Youtube. The message is a reflection on the great commandment and the second which is like it. Specifically, Jesus commands us to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor a…
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
By Rev. Chad L. Poland
