Middlebury Congregational Church UCC

In John 14, Jesus describes the place awaiting us in his Father's house and says he's the way, the truth, and the life. In looking at this passage we discover the good news that Jesus is both our way and our destination.The Way and the DestinationJohn 14:1-14The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchMay 3, 2026

In the gospel according to John, Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd and as the gate. Let's take a look at the good news of us being sheep, of abundant life, and what it means to say Jesus is the gate.Gates, Sheep, and Abundant LifeJohn 10:1-21The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchApril 26, 2026

The gospel accounts of Jesus' resurrection take pains to show that Jesus is physically risen from the dead. he has a body. What is the good news for the risen Christ having a body?See His Hands and SideJohn 20:19-31The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchApril 12, 2026

Through the faithfulness of the female disciples of Christ, we learn the good news of the resurrection. In Christ, God shakes apart the old order of sin and death and brings us to eternal life.Shaking Up the WorldMatthew 28:1-10The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchApril 5, 2026

The passion narrative reminds us of our participation in the collective sins of the world, the sins that put Jesus on the cross. Holy Week also reminds us that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

On Palm Sunday we explore how Jesus shows us a different view of what heroes look like and how we humans are keen to build people into heroes and also sometimes even more keen to tear those same people down.The Rise and Fall of a HeroMatthew 21:1-11The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchMarch 29, 2026

The valley of dry bones and the raising of Lazarus are lessons about hope and possibility. They tell us there is possibility for us, for our church, and for our world

In 1 Samuel 16, it says God does not see as mortals see; God looks on the heart. What does it mean to see as God sees? And what does the selection of a lowly shepherd boy as king tell us about how God sees? Seeing as God Sees1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchMarch 15, 2026

In John 4, Jesus decides to return to Galilee by going through Samaria. In Samaria, he meets a woman at a well, and in that encounter we realize that Jesus goes through Samaria to show the scope of God's salvation. Jesus goes to a place no one would expect, and the Samaritans show themselves to be model disciples. Finding God in the Last Place You’d LookJohn 4:3-42The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchMarch 8, 2026

2/15/26 Sermon: On the feast of the Transfiguration, how do we hold together the Jesus we see in the transfiguration and the Jesus we see in Calvary? Jesus is bringing God’s kingdom, and the kingdom of God involves turning the world’s expectations and values upside downThe Mountain(s)Matthew 17:1-9The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchFebruary 15, 2026

2/8/26 Sermon: What does it mean in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells the church you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world? What is the purpose and good news of being salt and light?A Dash of Salt and a Spark of LightIsaiah 58:1-12, Matthew 5:13-20The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchFebruary 8, 2026

2/1/26 Sermon: Proclaiming and worshiping a crucified savior requires a radical redefinition of values. We see the values of our crucified savior in the beatitudes, where Jesus calls the church to live kingdom values in a world that often values different thingsThe Values of the Kingdom1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchFebruary 1, 2026

1/25/26 Sermon: In 1 Corinthians, the First Church of Corinth is dealing with a church fight. What can we learn from how the apostle Paul addresses the conflict and how that applies to our own bitterly divided times?Division & Conflict in Corinth1 Corinthians 1:10-18The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchJanuary 25, 2026

1/18/26 Sermon: In John 1, Jesus calls the first disciples and speaks for the first time. Jesus asks “what are you looking for?” Jesus in John is all about inviting us into closer relationship with himSeeking and RelationshipJohn 1:29-42The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchJanuary 18, 2026

1/11/26 Sermon: This Sunday was the day the Church commemorates the baptism of the Lord Jesus. It’s a time for us to both remember Jesus’ baptism and our own baptisms. What does baptism mean for us? What does God promise us in baptism?Baptism, the Church, and MinistryMatthew 3:13-17The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchJanuary 11, 2026

1/4/26 Sermon: The magi follow a star to find Jesus. This is the main event the western church commemorates on Epiphany. What can the magi teach us about following Christ?Following the StarMatthew 2:1-12The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational ChurchJanuary 4, 2026

2/22/26 Sermon: The season of Lent always begins with a gospel lesson about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. What does this wilderness temptation mean? This year we’ll examine how this wildness time is a temptation to embrace the satanic powers of empire instead of the power of the cross #jesus #lent #christian #temptation #sinSermon for the First Sunday in LentFebruary 22, 2026Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11The Rev. Katrina ManziMiddlebury Congregational Church, Middlebury, CT