[Beginning August 1st, I will be on vacation until Sunday, September 7th (Labor Day Weekend). We invite you to return to our semon blog at that time. Thanks! dfs] Ecclesiastes 1:2-11  Luke 10:25-37  (MSG) Fellowship of Faith – July 31, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift Selections from Ecclesiastes 1:2-11  (MSG The Message) 1 These are the words of the Quester, David’s son [that would be the wise King Solomon], the king in Jerusalem 2-11 Smoke, nothing but smoke. [That’s what the Quester says.]     There’s nothing to anything—it’s all smoke. …  One generation goes its way, the next one arrives,     but nothing … Continue reading “Defined by Christ”

Hosea 1:2-10, Luke 11:5-13 (NRSV) Fellowship of Faith – July 24, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift Hosea 1:2-11The Message (MSG) 2 The first time God spoke to Hosea he said: “Find a whore and marry her.     Make this whore the mother of your children. And here’s why: This whole country     has become a whorehouse, unfaithful to me, God.” 3 Hosea did it. He picked Gomer daughter of Diblaim. She got pregnant and gave him a son. 4-5 Then God told him: “Name him Jezreel (which means God sows). It won’t be long now before     I’ll make the people of Israel pay for the massacre at Jezreel.     I’m calling it … Continue reading “Oh for the love of God”

Col 1:15-18, 24-29 (MSG); Jer 29:4-9 (NRSV) South Presbyterian Church / Fellowship of Faith – July 17, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift Colossians 1: selections from 24-29 The Message (MSG) Christ Holds It All Together 15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds … Continue reading “To Redeem the Soul of America”

Gal. 6:1-5 (MSG); Luke 10:8-10 (MSG); Micah 6:8 (NRSV) South & New Life Presbyterian Churches – July 3, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift  3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. 4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. … Continue reading “Mixed Messages: Walk Humbly & Carry a Big Stick”