First Congregational Church, Concord, NH, United Church of Christ
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Hiding in Plain Sight: Sermon delivered on October 30th, 2016

10/30/2016

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Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.  (Habakkuk 2:2-4)
 
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.  Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. (Psalm 32:5-7)
 
A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. […] Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:2-6, 8-10)

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Developing the Spiritual Callus: Sermon delivered on October 16th, 2016

10/16/2016

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“This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree.  [Jeremiah 31:33-34]
 
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. […]  Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?” [Luke 18:1, 6-8]

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Thriving in an Unknown Land: Sermon delivered on October 9th, 2016

10/8/2016

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Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.  But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. [Jeremiah 29:5-7]
 
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.  He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”  Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”  [Luke 17:15-19]

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    First Church

    First and foremost we are a serving church - throughout nearly three centuries we have been serving the people of Concord and the world.

    We are a welcoming church -- welcoming children, youth, and adults, seekers and settled, doubtful and faithful, and creating a community united in Christ's love for us all.

    We are a church growing in Christ -- not having all the answers but growing in faith, in love, in working for a just and peaceful world, people learning the way of Jesus together, and welcoming others to learn with us.

    Come and see!

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First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
PO Box 4255 | Concord, NH | 03302

603.225.5491