Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Preached on April 27, 2008 by Winton Boyd
Acts 17:22-31; John 14:15-21

Lest we think that our religious pluralism is a new phenomenon, this story from the life of Paul reminds us that from the beginning – the people following Jesus have always been relationship with those following other religions, ideologies, and philosophies of life. While much of the church’s efforts to convert others to Christianity has been disrespectful and violent; and while much of it runs completely counter to our own sensibilities –this lectionary story from Acts may be able to speak to us about how to live as authentically Christian in a religiously plural world. Continue Reading »

Preached by Ree Hale on April 20, 2008

Genesis 1:1-2, 26-28; Acts 2: 42-47
Genesis 1: 26-28
God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take Charge!”
(We did a lot of that, we did our best to prosper, we reproduced, we filled the earth and took charge.) Earth now is a crowded place, and it is getting more crowded all the time. Continue Reading »

Preached by Winton Boyd on Sunday, April 13, 2008

Last week in Java and Jesus we heard a wonderful quote from a Native American storyteller. I would like to use it as I begin this reflection on Noah. I don’t know if this story reall happened, but I know it to be true. It is a foundational story of our faith. This is the second of three weeks in which Ree Hale and I are preaching on issues related to the earth and our relationship with it, I want to take a gander back into this old and often misunderstood story. Continue Reading »

Preached by Winton Boyd on April 6
Text at end of sermon

As a kid, I hated green olives. The first time I remember enjoying them was in 2003. I was traveling with a group of 9 students from the UW campus ministry, The Crossing in Israel’s Arab/Palestinian region. Our group of 10 and about 20 college students from the technical college at Mar Elias Educational Institute in Ibillin Israel were traveling on a bus towards the dead sea. It was the first day of our 3-day “field trip” together – to get to know each other, to see part of the country, and to build relationships. We stopped for a picnic at a state park somewhere in the middle of the country. All sorts of traditional Palestinian food camp out of boxes, bags, and coolers. Most of it I had never seen before. Then came the green olives. A number 10 can – the big industrial size can. Someone used a pocketknife to open it and it was just set on the table. As one who didn’t like green olives, I thought, “wow, these people like their olives.” During the next 30-45 minutes– between conversations, throwing a frisbee, laughing, and looking across the countryside- students kept returning to the can. Finally I thought, “I’m here, I might as well try one.” Continue Reading »

preached by Winton Boyd onEaster Sunday – March 23, 2008
Like many of you, I love to travel. I have had the opportunity to see many different places in this country and abroad. I have taken biking trips, camping trips, backpacking trips, service-learning trips with high school, college students, and families. I have met wonderful people with whom I share a language and superb people with whom I have little in common – be it language, culture, or religion. Certainly some of my most soulful moments have come during traveling and meeting others. Continue Reading »