Christ Church Jerusalem

13 February 2022 - Sixth Sunday of Epiphany - In an age of social media when so many of us are concerned with appearances and what others think of us, we should heed the words of Jesus, “Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you.” This saying and others in the Lukan account of the Sermon on the Mount uncovers a spiritual reality that reveals the blessings of poverty, desperation, and even persecution. Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-20; Psalm 1; Luke 6:17-26 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

6 February 2022 - Fifth Sunday of Epiphany - The ancient calling of Jesus to discipleship and to represent the good news of God is irrevocable. Rev. Aaron Eime reminds us that the call of discipleship extends to us today. We should answer Jesus' call with all humility and courage. Readings: Isaiah 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

Leviticus 14 deals with the cleansing of lepers and infected homes, and the group continues to grapple with the implications for disciples of Jesus. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Gospel Lessons from a Nazareth Synagogue | Rev. David Pileggi 30 January 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Epiphany - Luke’s account of Jesus’ sermon in Nazareth is rich in detail of Jewish religious life in the first century. It also defines the mission of Jesus and, even further, the very nature of the Father who sent Him. The strong reaction of the townsfolk, says Rev. David Pileggi, is instructive for us in addressing our own current issues. This sermon is dedicated to the memory of Dwight A. Pryor. Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 4:21-30 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ A version of this sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

The passage giving instructions for dealing with leprosy leads to a discussion whether there is a connection between sin and sickness. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

23 January 2022 - Third Sunday of Epiphany - Jesus begins his ministry in Luke’s gospel by declaring that his mission is a continuation of God’s desire to rescue (redeem) what rightfully belongs to Him. We can only fully understand the depth of God’s love and compassion, says Rev. David Pileggi, when we see this incident in the light of his dealings with Israel. And redemption is always accompanied by humility and repentance. Readings: Leviticus 25:8-15, 39-50; Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 4:14-21 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

The group looks at the offerings required of a woman after childbirth and discusses whether there is some sin a woman commits in childbirth and continues to touch on the definition of atonement. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

16 January 2022 - Second Sunday of Epiphany - That Jesus miraculously turned water into wine has made the story of the wedding at Cana in Galilee well known. John calls the transformation a "sign" as it's much more than just a miracle. Rev. Neville Jones walks us through details of the story as well as how Jesus refers to weddings in his teachings. He will then show us the significance and prophetic nature of this sign, the first of seven signs in Jesus' ministry. Readings: Isaiah 63:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; John 2:1-11 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

A passage on clean and unclean animals stokes discussion on what kosher laws mean to the followers of Jesus the Messiah. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

9 January 2022 - First Sunday of Epiphany - Although we may struggle with some questions that the baptism of Jesus raises, his experience at the Jordan River does have an obvious and powerful life-giving message. Our obsessive search for meaning and identity today is often done in the most harmful ways imaginable. Instead, each one of us needs to hear our Father's voice saying, “You are my beloved child,” and then respond. Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7, 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ A version of this sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

The account of the death of Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu leads to a discussion of God's holiness and his expectations for worship. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

2 January 2022 - Second Sunday After Christmas - The joyous season of Christmas is interrupted by the commemoration of Herod’s murder of the boys of Bethlehem. The story is an essential reminder that a non-stop war has been waged from the beginning -- by the devil, fallen humanity, our culture, and our political systems -- that seeks to promote chaos and destroy life. Rev. David Pileggi reminds us that to glorify God means to no longer be bystanders. We should not be afraid of being unpopular but rather take a stand for life in any way possible. After the sermon, two members of the church talk about their work today in local ministries that support life in a world that prefers the convenience of death. Readings: Revelation 21:1-7; Psalm 8; Matthew 2:1-18 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ A version of this sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this

At the end of Leviticus 9, we see the fruit of obeying God's requirements for Israel's worship -- the manifest presence of God. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

26 December 2021 - First Sunday After Christmas - Deacon Rosemary Saunders challenges us to stop and experience the day Jesus the Messiah was born. What do we see? What do we hear and smell? In the midst of stinky animals and boisterous shepherds, perhaps we see a mother and child at risk. God's ways are not our ways. God takes a risk to become one of us. He loves us and longs to dwell with us. Let us be risk-takers with God. Readings: Psalm 84; Luke 2 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

A pause in the verse-by-verse study in Leviticus to engage in a broader discussion about sacrifices. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

19 December 2021 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - The life of the mother of Jesus has been ignored in many Christian traditions. Yet Mary’s extraordinary trust and obedience should be an inspiration for us today. It is posited that she was Jesus' first disciple and -- in contradiction to the pop song -- she really does show us wisdom. Perhaps her most important contribution was to give an example for her son Jesus, who like his mother, was called upon to say “Yes” to the will of God. Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7; Luke 1:39-55 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

The discussion from Leviticus 8 focuses on the ordination of Aaron and his sons, priestly garb as well as the ongoing discussion on what is atonement. Led by Aaron Eime. Notes for this study can be found at https://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/bible-studies/leviticus-and-god-called/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

12 December 2021 - Third Sunday of Advent - After no Israelite prophets for more than 400 years, John the Baptist's appearance heralded the coming of the Messiah. Many went out to the wilderness to drink in John's words and be baptized by him, but John called out those who came with selfish and shallow intensions. Rev. Kevin Cable, the rector of the Anglican Church of St. Peter in Jaffa, echoes John's message and reminds us that salvation is not inherited, baptism isn't a divine insurance policy, and we prove our repentance by our good works. Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 85; Luke 3:7-18 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ Sermons are also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

This week, we have a special Hanukkah lecture by Aaron Eime. Hanukkah is not quite a biblical holiday, yet it has become a very visible Jewish holiday around the world. The events that Hanukkah commemorates are recorded in the four Books of the Maccabees, none of which enter either the Jewish or Protestant Christian canons. Yet, we find the theology of the Maccabees in the New Testament, underpinning the theology of the early Church. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

5 December 2021 - Second Sunday of Advent - This second week of Advent, we turn to the message of the prophets and John the Baptist and their call to prepare the way of the Lord. Rev. Aaron Eime reminds us that the ancient prophetic message is still relevant to us today. John was the voice in the desert, and we are the voices today that must speak to the world the message of preparation and hope. We must also nurture a community living in expectation of Jesus' return. Readings: Malachi 3:1-5; Luke 1:68-79; Psalm 126; Luke 3:1-6 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app. Music credit: Melodic Interlude Two by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6394-melodic