Church of the Village Sermons
You can view past services and sermons on our Facebook page video library by clicking the button below.
sing a song of hope and resilience
Rev. Jeff Wells
December 22, 2024
Worship Bulletin
A Light in a Weary World: why we need christmas
December 15, 2024
Worship Bulletin
celebration of life for danielle haupt
December 8, 2024
Memorial Bulletin
preparing for defiant love
Rev. Jeff Wells
December 8, 2024
Worship Bulletin
The both / and of advent
Rev. Alexis Lillie
December 1, 2024
Worship Bulletin
love that re-members
M Jade Kaiser, Guest Preacher
November 24, 2024
Worship Bulletin
against the grain: living faithfully in a conforming world
Jorge Lockward
November 17, 2024
Worship Bulletin
god’s love and politics
Rev. Jeff Wells
November 10, 2024
Worship Bulletin
love and service: our dna
Alfida Figueroa, Guest Preacher
November 3, 2024
Worship Bulletin
what we do together matters
Rev. Jeff Wells
October 27, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Orient towards god
Becca Love, Guest Preacher
October 20, 2024
Worship Bulletin
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy: A COTV Vision
Rev. Alexis Lillie
October 13, 2024
Worship Bulletin
And God Saw That It Was Good
Rev. Alexis Lillie
October 6, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Homeward bound
Dorothee Benz, Guest Preacher
September 29, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Bob cooper’s celebration of life
September 22, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Shall we dance?
Rev. Jeff Wells
September 22, 2024
Worship Bulletin
The power of words
Rev. Simeon Law, Guest Preacher
September 15, 2024
Worship Bulletin
god’s powerful love is in us, too
Rev. Jeff Wells
September 8, 2024
Worship Bulletin
coming home as promised land
Rev. Alexis Lillie
September 1, 2024
Worship Bulletin
the courage to risk authenticity
Rev. Drew Dyson, Guest Preacher
August 25, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Ashrei: happy are they
Rev. Christopher Heckert, Guest Preacher
August 18, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let it Begin With Me
John Wesley Heaton IV, Guest Preacher
August 11, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Life as a Tapestry of Serenity, Courage, Wisdom, and Honesty
Anne Hughes Hinnen, Guest Preacher
August 4, 2024
Worship Bulletin
stay connected
Alfida Figueroa, Guest Preacher
July 28, 2024
Worship Bulletin
why not let god introduce themselves?
Riot Mueller, Guest Preacher
July 21, 2024
Worship Bulletin
THIRST
Rev. Jeff Wells
July 14, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Recovery Journeys: Releasing into freedom
Rev. Alexis Lillie
July 7, 2024
Worship Bulletin
soft like fruit, a perpetual harvest
Becca Love, Guest Preacher
June 30, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Unbinding Joy
Rev. Dorlimar Lebrón Malavé, Guest Preacher
June 23, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Finding the future now
Rev. Tyler Heston, Guest Preacher
June 16, 2024
Worship Bulletin
United in diversity: embracing our common unity
Rev. Josh Lee, Guest Preacher
June 9, 2024
Worship Bulletin
how to practice expansive beloved community
Rev. Jeff Wells
June 2, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Dancing with the trinity
Jorge Lockward
May 26, 2024
Worship Bulletin
God ENLIVEN(S) US!
Rev. Jeff Wells
May 19, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Have you met jesus?
Rev. Alexis Lillie
May 12, 2024
Worship Bulletin
plenty of fish, plenty of love
Rev. Jeff Wells
May 5, 2024
Worship Bulletin
A gospel that moves us
Rev. Alexis Lillie
April 28, 2024
Worship Bulletin
The Gift of doubt
Rev. Jeff Wells
April 21, 2024
Worship Bulletin
On the road to emmaus
Rev. Alexis Lillie
April 14, 2024
Worship Bulletin
HEALING HATRED IN THE HOLY LAND
Dr. Sarah Bernstein
April 7, 2024
Worship Bulletin
HOLY WEEK 2024
PERPETUAL RESURRECTION: TURNING OUR HEARTS TOWARD THE GOOD
Rev. Alexis Lillie
Easter Sunday: March 31, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Good Friday
March 29, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Jesus’ bold peace march into jerusalem
Rev. Jeff Wells
Palm Sunday: March 24, 2024
Worship Bulletin
LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS
embracing the wilderness
Dwight Campbell, Guest Preacher
March 17, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Seeing WILDERNESS through other’s eyes
Rev. Jeff Wells
March 10, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Life-giving prayer
Rev. Jeff Wells
March 7, 2024 - Christ Church
Zealous IN THE WILDERNESS
Rev. Alexis Lillie
March 3, 2024
Worship Bulletin
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
March 1, 2024
Worship Bulletin
BEING CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS
Rev. Jeff Wells
February 25, 2024
Worship Bulletin
FINDING JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS
Rev. Alexis Lillie
February 18, 2024
Worship Bulletin
AGAIN AND AGAIN: THE CYCLE OF GRACE
Ash wednesday
February 14, 2024
Worship Bulletin
Amazing GRace – god working through all and in all
Rev. Jeff Wells
February 11, 2024
Worship Bulletin
From fear to freedom
Rev. Alexis Lillie
February 4, 2024
Worship Bulletin
GRace: The Uncontrolling love of god
Rev. Jeff Wells
January 28, 2024
Worship Bulletin
NOT SET IN STONE: HEARTS SOFTENED BY GRACE
Rev. Alexis Lillie
January 21, 2024
Worship Bulletin
The grace of friendship
Riot Mueller, Guest Preacher
January 14, 2023
Worship Bulletin
JESUS AND THE CYCLE OF GRACE
Rev. Jeff Wells
January 7, 2023
Worship Bulletin
AWAITING DAWN
A CHorus of voices
Rev. Alexis Lillie
December 31, 2023
Worship Bulletin
THE LIGHT OF LOVE IS CONSTANT
Rev. Jeff Wells
December 24, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Joy: the story of christmas
December 17, 2023
Worship Bulletin
comfort my people
Rev. Alexis Lillie
December 10, 2023
Worship Bulletin
holding onto esperanza / hope
Rev. Jeff Wells
December 3, 2023
Worship Bulletin
UBUNTU: THE ART OF LIVING TOGETHER
Conversations with joy
Joy Sanjek, Guest Preacher
November 26, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Embracing solidarity, resisting neutrality
Rev. Alexis Lillie
November 19, 2023
Worship Bulletin
LESSONS FROM THE HOSPITAL BEDSIDE
Riot Mueller, Guest Preacher
November 12, 2023
Worship Bulletin
divine humanity
Becca Love, Guest Preacher
November 5, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Encouragement, Accountability, and Grace
Rev. Jeff Wells
October 29, 2023
Worship Bulletin
LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING: TRUSTING TOGETHER
Rev. Alexis Lillie
October 22, 2023
Worship Bulletin
LIVING TOGETHER IN LOVE
Rev. Jeff Wells
October 15, 2023
Worship Bulletin
I AM BECAUSE WE ARE
Rev. Alexis Lillie
October 8, 2023
Worship Bulletin
COMING HOME
COMING HOME TO THE EARTH
Rev. Jeff Wells
October 1, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Places of Solidity in the Midst of Wandering
Rev. Alexis Lillie
September 24, 2023
Worship Bulletin
An Invitation to Intense Becoming
Rev. Jeff Wells
September 17, 2023
Worship Bulletin
FINDING GOD
Rev. Alexis Lillie
September 10, 2023
Worship Bulletin
SPIRIT JOURNEYS
BLESSING OUR THIRST
Jorge Lockward, Minister of Worship Arts, COTV
September 3, 2023
Worship Bulletin
HELD BY SILENCE
Rev. Scott Sprunger, Guest Preacher
August 27, 2023
Worship Bulletin
In the flow of creation
Rev. Alexis Lillie
August 20, 2023
Worship Bulletin
still searching for meaning
Rev. Jim Norton, Guest Preacher
August 13, 2023
Worship Bulletin
we didn’t know god was there
Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Pressley, Minister-in-Residence
August 6, 2023
Worship Bulletin
BODIES OF WATER, BODY OF CHRIST
Becca Love, Guest Preacher
July 30, 2023
Worship Bulletin
STAND
Dwight Campbell, Guest Preacher
July 23, 2023
Worship Bulletin
our connection to the cosmos
Rev. Alexis Lillie
July 16, 2023
Worship Bulletin
break the pot
Alfida Figueroa, Guest Preacher
July 9, 2023
Worship Bulletin
desire
Katie Reimer, guest preacher
July 2, 2023
Worship Bulletin
PRIDE 2023
No Pride without the brick
Riot Mueller, guest preacher
June 25, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Happy 50th Anniversary! –
Celebrating Rev. Ed Egan and the Founding of PFLAG
Rev. Jeff Wells
June 18, 2023
Worship Bulletin
“Those Who are Sick:”
The Power of Jesus’ Love for Systemic Healing
Rev. Alexis Lillie
June 11, 2023
Worship Bulletin
What my brother’s life taught me about pride and solidarity
Rev. Jeff Wells
June 4, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Deeply-Connected Life –
Past, Present, and Future
Rev. Jeff Wells
May 28, 2023
Worship Bulletin
FOR THE SAKE OF LIFE
Weaving Compassion and Wellbeing into the Economy:
Emerging lessons from Bhutan and Gross National Happiness
Dr. Julia Kim, Program Director of the Gross National Happiness Centre, Bhutan
May 21, 2023
Worship Bulletin
We Live, Move, and Have Our Being in God
Rev. Gerald C. Liu, PhD, COTV Minister-in-Residence
May 14, 2023
Worship Bulletin
rejoicing wherever we find life
Rev. Alexis Lillie
May 7, 2023
Worship Bulletin
crossing the border
Rev. Doug Cunningham, guest preacher
April 30, 2023
Worship Bulletin
This wild, precious, and connected life
Rev. Jeff Wells
April 23, 2023
Worship Bulletin
life that walks through open doors
Rev. Alexis Lillie
April 16, 2023
Worship Bulletin
HOLY WEEK 2023
surprised by hope and possibility
Rev. Jeff Wells
April 9, 2023
Worship bulletin
LOVE
Good Friday worship
April 7, 2023
Worship bulletin
SERVE
Maundy Thursday Worship
April 6, 2023
Worship bulletin
“untie them:” -
a donkey, a celebration, and a community
Rev. Alexis Lillie
April 2, 2023
Worship Bulletin
“A RATTLING” -
VALLEY OF DRY BONES
Rev. Vicki Flippin, guest preacher
March 26, 2023
Worship Bulletin
WHO COUNTS?
A FAMILY SUNDAY AT COTV
Rev. Alexis Lillie
March 19, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Repent and Forgive:
Keys to Living Well
Rev. Jeff Wells
March 12, 2023
Worship Bulletin
GOODNESS CALLS TO GOODNESS
Katie Reimer
March 5, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Reclaiming Sin
Striving for Goodness and “Missing the Mark” – A Process-Relational Approach to Sin
Rev. Jeff Wells
February 26, 2023
Worship Bulletin
A Work in Progress
Dwelling in Impermanence: Creeds as Communal Connection
Rev. Alexis Lillie
February 19, 2023
Worship Bulletin
the gift and possibility of church
Alfida Figueroa, Dwight Campbell, Becca Love, & Rev. Jeff Wells
February 12, 2023
Worship Bulletin
we are all connected (and humans are not the center)
Rev. Jeff Wells
February 5, 2023
Worship Bulletin
what do i want to be when i grow up?
Rev. Alexis Lillie
January 29, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Knowing god: a work in progress
Jorge Lockward, Minister of Worship Arts, guest preacher
January 22, 2023
Worship Bulletin
I Hit the Dray but Not the Donkey - And the Beat Went On
Rev. Althea Spencer Miller, PhD, guest preacher
January 15, 2023
Worship Bulletin
who am i? do i matter?
Rev. Jeff Wells
January 8, 2023
Worship Bulletin
SANCTUARY AND SUFFERING: Jesus' Story Continues
Rev. Alexis Lillie
January 1, 2023
Worship Bulletin
Lessons from the Cattle Stall
Rev. Jeff Wells
December 25, 2022
Worship Bulletin
christmas eve worship
December 24, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Held between Earth and Heaven
17th Annual christmas pageant
December 18, 2022
Worship Bulletin
The Present Future:
Giving Birth to Defiant Joy
Rev. Alexis Lillie
December 11, 2022
Worship Bulletin
AN ADVENT STORY
Rev. Arthur L. Pressley, PhD, guest preacher
December 4, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Living in the in-betweenness
Rev. Jeff Wells
November 27, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Back to Basics
PRAYER AS OPENING
Katie Reimer, guest preacher
November 20, 2022
Worship Bulletin
CHOOSING LOVE
Rev. Alexis Lillie
November 13, 2022
Worship Bulletin
WHO IS WITH US?
Erich Dietrich, COTV, Guest Preacher
November 6, 2022
Worship Bulletin
“LOST & FOUND.”
Rev. Gerald C. Liu, PhD, Minister in Residence, Guest Preacher
October 30, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Love, Solidarity, and Beloved Community
Rev. Jeff Wells
October 23, 2022
Worship Bulletin
The Word of god within
and beyond the bible
Jorge Lockward, Minister of Worship Arts, guest preacher
October 16, 2022
Worship Bulletin
“i am my beloved’s”:
Living in uncommon community
Rev. Alexis Lillie
October 9, 2022
Worship Bulletin
In what do you trust?
Rev. Jeff Wells
October 2, 2022
Worship Bulletin
oh, how i love jesus
Rev. Jeff Wells
September 25, 2022
Worship Bulletin
THE SPIRIT IN ME
Rev. Alexis Lillie
September 28, 2022
Worship Bulletin
who is god?
Rev. Jeff Wells
September 11, 2022
Worship Bulletin
you get God’s love
Riot Mueller, guest preacher
September 4, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Play, Create, & Connect
GIVE YOURSELF TIME
Rev. Alexis Lillie
August 28, 2022
Worship Bulletin
cherish the gift of friendship
Rev. Jeff Wells
August 21, 2022
Worship Bulletin
JOY: OUR BIRTHRIGHT
Alfida Figueroa, COTV, Guest Preacher
August 14, 2022
Worship Bulletin
let’s sing together
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 7, 2022
Worship Bulletin
clothe yourself in love
Becca Love, guest preacher
July 31, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Sometimes we just need a timeout
Dwight Campbell, guest preacher
July 24, 2022
Worship Bulletin
YOU FoR SABBATH, SABBATH FOR YOU
Rev. Simeon Law, Metropolitan District Superintendent, New York Annual Conference
July 17, 2022
Worship Bulletin
planted by streams of water
Rev. Alexis Lillie
July 10, 2022
Worship Bulletin
delight in living
Rev. Jeff Wells
July 3, 2022
Worship Bulletin
LET’S get loud!
Rev. Dr. Vanessa Brown, guest preacher
Lead Pastor, Rivers of Living Water
Bishop Elect, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, Northeast Region
June 26, 2022
Worship Bulletin
I Dream of _______
Rev. Alexis Lillie
June 19, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Dreaming of Worlds to Come
Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, guest preacher
June 12, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Lovers, Rebels, and Prophets
I Dream of a Church
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 5, 2022
Worship Bulletin
“Everyone’s Chains Were Unshackled”: Our Prophetic Witness on the Road to Freedom
Pastor Alexis Lillie
May 29, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Our Impulse to Include
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 22, 2022
Worship bulletin
The Punch Line is The Holy Spirit
Riot Mueller, guest preacher
May 15, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Being a Link in the Chain
Martha Chapman, guest preacher
May 8, 2022
Worship Bulletin
The Communal Blessing of a Rich History
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 1, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Show Me Your Scars
Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, guest preacher
April 24, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Holy Week 2022
Life Is Stronger than Death
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 17, 2022 (Easter Sunday)
Worship Bulletin
Good Friday
April 15, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Maundy Thursday
April 14, 2022
Worship Bulletin
"The Stones Would Shout Out": Complaint and Affirmation in the Triumphal Entry
Pastor Alexis Lillie
April 10, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Wade in the Water: The Beauty, Mystery, and Power of Worship
Worship and Theology Intertwined
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 3, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Praise: Conspiracy Theory and Practice
Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins, guest preacher
March 27, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Take Me to the Water
Rev. Dr. Kimberly Bracken Long, guest preacher
March 20, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Wholly, Holy Worship
Paul Vasile, guest preacher
March 13, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Worship and Community
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 6, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Why Worship
Jorge Lockward, guest preacher
February 27, 2022
Worship Bulletin
This Little Light of Ours: Hope in Uncertain Times
The Light of Life
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 20, 2022
Worship Bulletin
When in Doubt, Don't!
Pastor Alexis Lillie
February 13, 2022
Worship Bulletin
The Multiple Gifts of Spiritual Community
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 6, 2022
Worship Bulletin
In the Eye of the Beholder
Jorge Lockward, guest preacher
January 30, 2022
Worship Bulletin
One Light, Many Beams
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 23, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Deep Calls to Deep: The Light Within Us
Pastor Alexis Lillie
January 16, 2022
Worship Bulletin
This Little Light of Ours: Let it Shine!
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 9, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Shining in the Shadows: A Difficult Invitation
Pastor Alexis Lillie
January 2, 2022
Worship Bulletin
Phophetic Visions: Seeds of Living Hope
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 26, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Christmas Eve Worship 2021
Pastor Alexis Lillie
December 24, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Advent Meets Us Where We Are
16th Annual Christmas Pageant
December 19, 2021
Worship Bulletin
God Born In Jesus - And In Us
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 12, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Came or Coming? Advent as Adventure in Process
Dr. Catherine Keller
December 5, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Between Distraction and Despair: Advent as Apocalypse
Pastor Alexis Lillie
November 28, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Troubling Texts: Questioning the Bible
“What Can Save Us and What For?”
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 21, 2021
Worship Bulletin
God is Not in Control - Thank Goodness!
Rev. Thomas Jay Oord, Ph.D.
November 14, 2021
Worship Bulletin
The Resurrected Desire
Riot Mueller, guest preacher
November 7, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Traveling Companions
Rev. Valerie Bridgeman, Ph.D.
Dean & Vice President of Academic Affairs
Associate Professor, Homiletics & Hebrew Bible, Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio
October 31, 2021
Worship bulletin
Reclaiming the Miraculous
Pastor Alexis Lillie
October 24, 2021
Worship bulletin
Asking Hard Questions of God and the Bible
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 17, 2021
worship bulletin
In the Way of Jesus
Living with an Open Hand
Pastor Alexis Lillie
October 10, 2021
Worship Bulletin
Praying as Discipleship
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 3, 2021
worship bulletin
The Personal Experience of Discipleship
Rev. Dr. John B. Cobb Jr.
September 26, 2021
worship bulletin
Jesus’ Mission and Ours
Rev. Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr.
September 19, 2021
worship bulletin
On Being Jesus’s Disciple
Rev. Dr. John B. Cobb Jr.
September 12, 2021
worship bulletin
God: A Journey of Becoming
Can a New Civilization Emerge?
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 5, 2021
worship bulletin
A God that Draws Near
Pastor Alexis Lillie
August 29, 2021
worship bulletin
Dismantling Human Centeredness
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 22, 2021
God’s Seedy Power
Dr. Catherine Keller
Professor of Constructive Theology, the Theological School of Drew University
August 15, 2021
worship bulletin
“What Do I Love When I Love My God?”
Theology as Critique; Theology as Prayerful Imagination
Dr. John Thatamanil
Associate Professor of Theology and World Religions, Union Theological Seminary
August 8, 2021
worship bulletin
“Palo dado ni Dios lo quita”: My Mother the Process Theologian
Rev. Dr. Ignacio Castuera
Elder, California-Pacific Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church
August 1, 2021
worship bulletin
view video message here
Vibrant Living: Flourishing in the Messiness of Life
A Journey of Healing and Discovery
Joy Sanjek, guest preacher
July 25, 2021
worship bulletin
Playing for Keeps
Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins
July 18, 2021
worship bulletin
Hope Keeps Us Alive and Curious
Pastor Jeff Wells
July 11, 2021
worship bulletin
Thriving in Letting Go
Pastor Alexis Lillie
July 4, 2021
worship bulletin
Vibrant Living: Facing the Challenges
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo
June 27, 2021
worship bulletin
Our Life-Giving Interdependence
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 20, 2021
worship bulletin
Coming Alive and Finding God in Nature
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 13, 2021
worship bulletin
Call Yourself Back
Pastor Alexis Lillie
June 6, 2021
worship bulletin
A New Song
The Power and Peril of Songs
Jorge Lockward
May 30, 2021
A New Song Birthed in Fire
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 23, 2021
The Soul Must Sing
Rev. Lea Matthews
May 16, 2021
A Song in the Key of Love
Rev. Dr. Theon Johnson III
May 9, 2021
Redemption Songs
Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes
May 2, 2021
New Songs Arise by Water and the Spirit
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 25, 2021
A Song of Doubt and Joy
Pastor Alexis Lille
April 18, 2021
Struggling to Open
Katie Reimer
April 11, 2021
Living with Loss, Mortality, and Change
Palm Sunday is Not the Answer
Pastor Alexis Lillie
March 28, 2021
A Turn of Events
Reverend Rae Karim
Pastor, First Christian Church, Honolulu, Hawaii
March 21, 2021
Continuity and Change
John Kleinig
Professor Emeritus, Philosophy and Criminal Justice
City University of New York
March 14, 2021
Facing and Embracing Death
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 7, 2021
Jesus Wept
Scott Sprunger
Chaplain, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
and Women and Babies Hospital
February 28, 2021
Through the Wilderness
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 21, 2021
Faith and Politics
God Desires Restorative Justice
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 14, 2021
God, Rulers, and Strengthening Powerless, Weary People
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West
Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies, Drew University Theological School, UMC New York Annual Conference Ordained Elder
February 7, 2021
The Recruitment of God’s Dream Team
Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr.
Senior Minister Emeritus, Riverside Church in NYC
Author, Whose Gospel: A Concise Guide to Progressive Protestantism
January 31, 2021
Liberating Gender: Ancient Wisdom and the Struggle Against Patriarchy
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
January 21, 2021
A Moral Revolution of Values
Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, guest preacher
January 17, 2021
The Politics of God
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 10, 2021
A Baby and The Cosmos
Pastor Alexis James Waggoner
December 27, 2020
15th Annual Christmas Pageant
December 20, 2020
From Dominion to Collaboration
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 13, 2020
The Disclosure of Who We Are
Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, guest preacher
December 6, 2020
What Child Is This?
Katie Reimer, guest preacher
November 29, 2020
Worship Video
In the Midst of New Dimensions
Dr. Larry Rasmussen, guest preacher
November 22, 2020
Stretch Out Your Hand: A Vision to the Impossible
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
November 15, 2020
No Holiness but Social Holiness
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 8, 2020
Can I Get a Witness?
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 1, 2020
Giving to Be Free
Katie Reimer, guest preacher
October 25, 2020
Justice, Love, and the Will of the People
Rev. Althea Spencer Miller, PhD., COTV Minister-in-Residence, guest preacher
October 18, 2020
Worship Video
Giving AND Receiving: The Miracle of Service
Jorge Lockward
October 11, 2020
Living Prayer
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 4, 2020
Who Counts? Exploring Inclusivity as a Vow of Membership
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
September 27, 2020
Worship Video
“May We Have Your Attention, Please?”
Rev. Daniel Seunghyun Cho, guest preacher
September 20, 2020
Worship Video
The Beauty of God in Terrible Times
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 13, 2020
Worship Video
Letting Go as Salvation
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
September 6, 2020
Worship Video
Does God Have a Plan?
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 23, 2020
Worship Video
Practicing Liberation with Body, Breath, and Voice
Paul Vasile, guest preacher
August 16, 2020
Where is God in Our Suffering and Struggle
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 9, 2020
Sustaining Miracles: Blessing What Is Already Here
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
August 2, 2020
Divine Presence and Human Agency in Times Like These
Rev. Dr. Aliou Cissé Niang, guest preacher
July 26, 2020
Worship Video
Be Courageous!
Pastor Jeff Wells
July 19, 2020
Worship Video
Swimming Through the Stew
Rev. Althea Spencer Miller, Ph.D., COTV Minister-in-Residence
July 12, 2020
Worship video
Gallop of the Pale Green Horse: An Apocalypse of Planetary Health
Dr. Catherine Keller, guest preacher
July 5, 2020
Worship video
Hope as Defiance
Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, guest preacher
June 28, 2020
Why I Live in Hope
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 21, 2020
Troubled by the Spirit: Hearing God’s Call in the Street
Jorge Lockward, Minister of Worship Arts
June 14, 2020
Worship video
Doubting Is the Way
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
June 7, 2020
Beyond “Back to Normal”: Living in the Spirit
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 31, 2020
Open to the Spirit: Moving from Fear to Joy
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
May 24, 2020
An Advocate Walks Beside Us
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 17, 2020
“I am the Gate for the Sheep”
Dr. Alfredo Abad Heras, guest preacher
May 10, 2020
Being Community in the Midst of Pandemic
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 3, 2020
Hoping for Resurrection Life in a Season of Death
Dr. John J. Thatamanil, guest preacher
April 26, 2020
What is Giving You Life?
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
April 19, 2020
Demystifying the Bible
Postcolonial Interventions – Divine Re-Dress
Rev. Dr. Althea Spencer Miller, COTV Minister in Residence, guest preacher
March 29, 2020
Worship video
Reading with Integrity and Faith
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 22, 2020
The Healing Leaves of Tree of Life for a World on the Brink of Disaster
Amy Meverden, Visiting Professor of New Testament and Director of the Writing Center
at Union Theological Seminary, guest preacher
March 15, 2020
Looking Back to Go Forward
Pastor Alexis Waggoner
March 8, 2020
Recommended Resources:
ENNS, PETER. BIBLE TELLS ME SO: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It. HODDER & STOUGHTON LTD, 2019.
Another good overview, akin to Rob Bell, but Pete is a biblical scholar and professor so has a slightly more critical approach. He is still hilarious and easy-to-read, and thought-provoking.
- In that vein, the podcast he co-hosts is a great resource: The Bible for Normal People, and they produce lots of other e-content for folks.
- Trible, Phyllis. Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives. SCM Press, 2002.
Resource for troubling texts, through a feminist lens.
- Taussig, Hal. A New New Testament: a Bible for the Twenty-First Century Combining Traditional and Newly Discovered Texts. Mariner Books, 2015.
Resource with a number of extra-canonical texts included.
- Anything by Ally Kateusz — she is a scholar of early Christianity, and writes and speaks a lot about the history around how and why women’s involvement in the early church (and subsequently, their inclusion in the canon) was hidden and undermined: https://allykateusz.org/
Reading with Progressive Lenses
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 1, 2020
Fueled by Love
Jorge Lockward, Minister of Worship Arts, guest preacher
February 23, 2020
Called to be One People
Rev. Dr. Art Pressley, COTV Minister in Residence, guest preacher
February 16, 2020
Fire in the Belly – Movement of the Spirit
Frederick K. Brewington, Esq., guest preacher
February 9, 2020
Salvation - It’s Not What You Think
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 2, 2020
Abundant Grace
Hannah Ervin, COTV Ministry Intern, guest preacher
January 26, 2020
A Social Faith Working Through Love
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 19, 2020
Entering the New: Washing Off the Past
Rev. Alexis Waggoner
January 12, 2020
Christmas Eve Worship Lessons and Carols: Great Joy for All People
December 24, 2019
Entering the New: Facing an Uncertain Future with Faith and Hope
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 22, 2019
Entering the New: What Do You Need?
Jorge Lockward, Reyno Francisco, and Rosana Santos, guest speakers
14th Annual Christmas Pageant - Joy to the World: Crossing Borders
December 15, 2019
Soaring on the Wings of God’s Joy
Pastor Jeff Wells
Finding Joy in Connection
Debbie Karch, guest preacher
December 8, 2019
Is Joy Better Than Hope?
Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, Assoc. Prof. Union Theological Seminary, NYC, guest preacher
December 1, 2019
Choosing to be Joyful
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 24, 2019
Seeds of Justice
Being and Becoming
Jorge Lockward, COTV Minister of Worship Arts, guest preacher
November 17, 2019
Sowing Our Future
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 10, 2019
Shake it Off: Organizing The Ones Who Want to Be
Reverend Paul Fleck, guest preacher
November 3, 2019
To Each According to Their Needs
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 27, 2019
Interdependence and Disabled Leadership: God’s Invitation to Moses
Naomi Madaras, guest preacher
October 20, 2019
Bearing Fruit of Our Ancestors’ Sowing
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 13, 2019
Finding Sustenance in the Movement
Hannah Ervin, COTV Ministry Intern, guest preacher
October 6, 2019
Why Do We Eat This Meal?
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 29, 2019
Your Presence Is Desired
Rev. Derrick W. McQueen, guest preacher
September 22, 2019
Becoming Jesus
Jorge Lockward, guest preacher
September 15, 2019
Communion Opens Our Eyes
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 8, 2019
Breaking Bread: A Labor of Love
Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins, guest preacher
September 1, 2019
Adventures with God
Expect the Unexpected
Sarah Alphin, guest preacher
August 25, 2019
Revelations in the Storm
Jorge Lockward, guest preacher
August 18, 2019
The Call of the Wild
Beth Jones, guest preacher and sherpa
August 11, 2019
Serving Others is Divine
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 4, 2019
The Divine Dance
Martha Chapman, guest preacher
July 28, 2019
Everyday Practices for Radical Gardening
Angela Morris, guest preacher
July 21, 2019
Experiencing the Divine in Our Relationships
Pastor Jeff Wells
July 14, 2019
Binding Back: Connecting to The Spirit Within You By Any Means Necessary
Rev. Sam Rudra Swartz, guest preacher
July 7, 2019
Celebrating Queerness
Following Prophets, Looking for God
Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, guest preacher
June 30, 2019
Queering the Church
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 23, 2019
Making All Things New
Scott Sprunger, M.Div., guest preacher
June 16, 2019
What Are We Doing?
Rev. Yunus Coldman, guest preacher
June 9, 2019
Called to Remember and Resist
Rev. Dr. Ignacio Castuera
June 2, 2019
Called to Lead
Listening and Responding to Holy Invitation
Reverend Doris K. Dalton, guest preacher
May 26, 2019
Overturning the Tables
Teresa Concepcion, guest preacher
May 19, 2019
(Re)Introduce the Light
Akilah Bixler, guest preacher
May 12, 2019
Leading Means Empowering Others
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 5, 2019
We are all Followers…and Leaders
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 28, 2019
Easter: New Life Can Be Yours, Now!
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 21, 2019
Why Not?
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, guest preacher
April 14, 2019
The Art of Letting Go
Forgiveness as a Way of Being
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 7, 2019
Letting Go but not Giving Up
Rev. Dionne P. Boissière, guest preacher
March 31, 2019
In Our Wilderness, God Is
Rebecca Asedillo, guest preacher
March 24, 2019
Love Yourself, Forgive Yourself
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 17, 2019
Don’t Let Your Painful Past Constrain Your Future
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 10, 2019
Speaking Truth to Power
We Rise Up
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 3, 2019
Praying for a Just Church
February 24, 2019
No Matter What…You Are a Child of God!
Bishop Karen Oliveto, guest preacher
February 17, 2019
What Does It Mean to Be Methodist?
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 10, 2019
What Does It Mean to Be Church?
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 3, 2019
Showing Up
Privilege the Oppressed!
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 20, 2019
What We Need Is Here
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 13, 2019
Are You Fully Alive?
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 6, 2019
Hope and Resilience
Lighting a Candle on the Long View
John Kleinig, guest preacher
December 9, 2018
Overcoming the Temptation to Despair
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 2, 2018
Our Progressive Church, 50 Years Ago
Rev. Finley Schaef, guest preacher
November 25, 2018
Beyond Our Wounds
Healed and Blessed in Our Brokenness
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 18, 2018
Are We Now Living Within God?
Anne Hughes-Hinnen, Minister of Care, COTV, guest preacher
November 11, 2018
Carrying Past Hurts and Trauma
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 4, 2018
Issue of Blood
Dr. Su Yon Pak, guest preacher
October 28, 2018
Spirituality 201
Let Your Whole Life Be a Witness
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 21, 2018
Inner Peace in a Torn-Apart World
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 14, 2018
Growing Your Spiritual Gifts
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 7, 2018
What Good is Faith?
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 23, 2018
When God Calls Us to Greatness
Gloria Fanchiang, guest preacher
September 16, 2018
Change, Challenge, and Conflict
You Are Never Alone
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 9, 2018
Restorative Justice
Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Pressley, guest preacher
September 2, 2018
Through Struggle, We Grow
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 26, 2018
Tending Our Gardens
Tending Our Gardens: Curiosity, Wonder, and Exuberance
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 19, 2018
Tending Our Gardens: Embracing Patient Endurance
Pastor Jeff Wells
August 5, 2018
Tending Our Gardens: Freed for Joy and Peace
Pastor Jeff Wells
July 22, 2018
Building a New Way
Building a New Way: Relentless Grace
Rev. Dr. Kimberly Bracken Long, guest preacher
July 8, 2018
Building a New Way: A Lesbian Icon & the Kin-dom of God
Katie Reimer, guest preacher
July 1, 2018
Pride Sunday: We Are Family
Scott Sprunger, guest preacher
June 24, 2018
Building a New Way: The Humble Road to Transformation
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 17, 2018
Building a New Way: What Are You Searching For?
Pastor Ronneak M. Lee, COTV, Assistant Pastor
June 10, 2018
Building a New Way: Practicing Neighbor Love
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 3, 2018
Dismantling Racism
Tear Down Every Wall
Pastor Jeff Wells
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Lessons from the Womb
Rev. Derrick W. McQueen, Ph.D.
Sunday, May 13, 208
Listening for the Spirit
Dr. Sarah Azaransky
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Confronting Denial is Christ’s Living Water
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Being White
Pastor Jeff Wells
Sunday, April 22, 2018
A New Welcome for the Table:
Reimagining the Beloved Community
Rev. Doris K. Dalton
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Tupac’s Song: Coloring Jesus
Rev. Dr. Althea Spencer Miller
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Healing and Wholeness
A Wounded Community of Healing
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 11, 2018
Surprised by Healing
Scott Sprunger, guest preacher
March 4, 2018
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 18, 2018
Spirituality
Progressive Spirituality Resources
The Church of the Village does not necessarily endorse all of the perspectives expressed in the websites listed below, but we offer them as resources for reflection on progressive Christian and interfaith spirituality.
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com
https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/we-are-all-mystics-exploring-the-frontiers-of-progressive-spirituality/
https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/nurturing-a-progressive-christian-spirituality/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mcswain/christianity-is-dying-spirituality-is-thriving_b_1950804.html
https://www.kosmosjournal.org/article/building-a-progressive-spiritual-movement/
https://spiritualprogressives.org
https://liveanddare.com/what-is-spirituality/
Inclusive and Inviting
Pastor Jeff Wells
February 4, 2018
Transformation Takes Practice
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 28, 2018
The Spirit-Filled Life
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 21, 2018
Christmas Reimagined
Jesus - Messiah and Liberator
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 14, 2018
God's Response to Violence
Pastor Jeff Wells
January 7, 2018
Joy To The World
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 24, 2017
Jesus - Light of the World
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 10, 2017
Songs of Radical Hope
Pastor Jeff Wells
December 3, 2017
Dear God
Do You Really Have A Plan For My Life?
What If I Don't Believe In You?
Tica Douglas, guest preacher
November 19, 2017
Do You Hear My Prayers?
Pastor Jeff Wells
November 5, 2017
Why Is There Suffering?
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 29, 2017
Can I Ask You A Question?
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 22, 2017
The Art of Abundant Living
Embracing Mortality
Pastor Jeff Wells
October 15, 2017
Good Sex
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
October 15, 2017
From Shame to Grace
Scott Sprunger, guest preacher
October 1, 2017
Seeing The Color Purple
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
September 24, 2017
Finding Freedom
Pastor Jeff Wells
September 17, 2017
Counterintuitive Beauty of the Beatitudes
Anne Hughes-Hinnen
September 3, 2017
Exploring God
What is God Thinking Right Now?
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
August 27, 2017
Apples & Oranges?
Katie Reimer, guest preacher
August 13, 2017
Creating Imperfection Since the Beginning
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
August 6, 2017
Justice, Life, and an Ethic of Relationship
Rev. Alisha Gordon, M.Div
July 30, 2017
Beyond Theology to Experience
Pastor Jeff Wells
July 16, 2017
What Is Church?
Creating Space for Grace
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
July 9, 2017
Living in Creative Tension Between What Is and What Could Be
Pastor Jeff Wells
July 2, 2017
In Labor, Anticipating New Life
Pastor Jeff Wells
June 4, 2017
Seeing Jesus 2017
A Game of Thrones
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
May 28, 2017
I Am With You Always
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 21, 2017
In the Breaking of the Bread
Pastor Jeff Wells
May 14, 2017
Revelation
Rev. Gerald C. Liu, Ph.D.
April 30, 2017
Breaking In Through Our Locked Doors
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 23, 2017
Life Takes Practice
Letting Go
Pastor Jeff Wells
April 2, 2017
Showing Up
Nehemiah Luckett
March 26, 2017
Compassion
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
March 19, 2017
Listening
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 12, 2017
Centering
Pastor Jeff Wells
March 5, 2017
Resistance and Solidarity
Righteous Resistance Rooted in Love
PastorJeff Wells
February 12, 2017
Resistance is Never Futile
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
February 5, 2017
Passive-Aggressive Politics &Resolute Resistance
Pastor Elyse Ambrose
January 29, 2017