Sunday Teachings - Sanctuary Community Church

6/28/26 Tom applies the Pride month theme of inclusion to Jesus.

6/14/26 Adey looks at God's movement to include everyone and the implications for us today.

6/7/26 Tom walks through several stories of people encountering Jesus, and we witness his constant presence and accessibility.

5/31/26 David considers how Jesus remains unfazed when it comes to the diverse and chaotic opinions about him.

5/24/26 Adey looks at the enduring lessons of Pentecost Sunday and God's Spirit abundantly and liberally poured out. Esme Hutchinson-Reuss contributes by reading one of her poems.

5/18/26 Tom compares the story of Jonah to Jesus calming the storm, drawing lessons from both.

5/10/26 Adey leads several contemplative prayer practices based on Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God."

5/3/26 David deconstructs what we mean when we call ourselves #Blessed.

4/26/26 Tom celebrates Earth Day by looking at how Jesus directs our attention to nature as a model for relieving anxiety and worry.

4/19/26 Adey digs into the the story of Hagar to look at a model for resilience.

4/12/26 David offers a psychological tool that matches Jesus' adaptive posture, helping us find God's abundance.

4/5/26 Tom celebrates Easter by looking at one of Jesus' resurrection stories where he cooks breakfast on a beach.

3/29/26 Adey finishes our Lent series by considering the life-long invitation to healing by owning our shadow and resisting spiritual bypassing.

3/22/26 Our Lent teaching series continues with David looking at the power of stories and storytelling for joy and resistance.

3/15/26 Tom continues our Lent series The Joy of Resistance by looking contrasting stories of creation and what they teach us about God.

3/8/26 Adey continues our Lent teaching series by looking at how God invites us into deep, authentic friendships.

3/1/26 David continues our Lent series by considering how paying close attention to others--though not without costs--can bring great joy.

2/22/26 Tom kicks off our Lent teaching series of the same title, The Joy of Resistance. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and communion meal show us the way.

2/15/26 Guest preacher Chris McMillan explores how God provides for us in the times of wilderness wandering, even in the presence of our enemies.

2/8/26 Adey reframes hope around 2 things: action and prophetic imagination.

2/1/26 Tom looks at a pattern in the Bible of God commissioning the people to embody the solutions to their own problems.

1/25/26 David looks at the story of the midwives resisting Pharaoh in Exodus and how that story applies to Minneapolis--and Iowa City and beyond. David had traveled to Minneapolis with over 600+ clergy from all around the country to support the groundswell of neighbors helping neighbors.

1/18/26 Guest preacher Chris Hoklotubbe borrows from indigenous Bible readings to reframe the story of the Magi. In the opening few minutes, Chris plays the video of "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone. He opens by discussing themes from that music video.

1/11/26 Adey looks at the story of Samuel and how it resonates with life today, especially as we seek to hear from God.

1/4/26 Tom extends the Christmas season by looking at Mary's song after the announcement of Jesus' birth. Her confidence and certainty of God's work leads to hope and joy.

12/21/25 Adey looks at the angel's visit to Mary and the meaningful interaction between Mary and Elizabeth that follows.

12/14/25 David compares Christmas joy to a hidden track on a 90s CD.

12/7/25 Tom reflects on the pattern of annunciation narratives in the Bible and the invitation to non-competetive blessing and flourishing.

11/30/25 Adey kicks off Advent with a message of hope, centered on where God has anointed us and empowered us to bring good news.

11/23/25 David borrows from the new book Reading the Bible on Turtle Island by Sanctuary member Chris Hoklotubbe. David looks at how the book invites an openness to the gifts and spiritual practices of indigenous traditions because many reflect the Bible's portrayal of spiritual experiences. For example, in the Transfiguration story, Jesus experiences the presence of his ancestors (Moses and Elijah) at a crossroads moment in his ministry.

11/16/25 Tom explores some of the origins of the Hebrew language and its implications for the Bible and our interpretations today.

11/9/25 James Tutson preaches on how we can use our imagination to connect with God. James invites us to ask, "What if God is more generous than that?"

11/2/25 Adey asks how flexible and changeable our image of God is.

10/26/25 David celebrates Halloween by reading Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara and then diving into a Cain's genealogy from Genesis 4. Shout out to Internal Family Systems.

10/19/25 Tom offers a bold alternate interpretation to the parable of the prodigal son.

10/12/25 This Sunday we spotlight HANDS ON FAITH, and Adey looks at how each person has something unique and specific to contribute to the cause of justice.

10/5/25 David dispels some Bible interpretation errors related to the second coming of Jesus and then examines the diverse and contradictory images in the Bible regarding the afterlife.

9/28/25 Tom wades through the surprising parables of Luke 15.

9/21/25 Adey reflects on the story of Jesus talking to a woman at a well in John 4.

9/14/25 Tom reinterprets Jesus' list of blessings.

9/7/25 David looks at Psalm 104 and its theme of God as God of all creatures. The book An Immense World by Ed Yong provided some inspiration for this message.

8/31/25 Tom examines Jesus' surprising statement, "Whoever is not against me is for me."

8/24/25 Adey looks at the cost of not being ourselves.

8/17/25 David explores a powerful moment of Jesus' compassion, an example of attunement.

8/10/25 Tom reflects on the difference between Jesus' mission and the usual goals of religion.

8/3/25 Adey explores one of the primary lessons of Ecclesiastes: live in the present and enjoy the now.

7/27/25 David looks to the story of King Solomon and the building of the Temple for inspiration on navigating the tricky tensions concerning money and wealth.

7/20/25 Tom looks at the distinction between "sin" and "scandal" and its implications for today.

7/13/25 Adey looks at Jesus' model of resting and the vital spiritual practices that cultivate rest.

7/6/25 Amy Kraber preaches on one of Jesus' parables during our all-ages service, utilizing some common teaching techniques from the kids wing.