Cancel Culture, the Bible, the Church, and King David 1/6

What if David was a “chaotic bisexual”? In David’s lament for Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths, we are invited to remember how David and Jonathan loved each other, and how impossible that was then, and how liberating it might be to uncover that story.  

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 7/7

Jesus fucks with the economy. Another time Jesus sends somebody home (to his friends! v. 19), all that man’s neighbors beg Jesus to leave them the hell alone. He’s messed with sacred systems – the family system with an identified patient who’s no longer sick; the economic system (when he sent somebody’s livelihood over a seaside cliff). Yep, he’s scary.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 6/7

Jesus can’t go home again. As much as he’d like for you to be reconciled with your FOO, he himself didn’t find it possible to stay with his. He was way more interested in his FOC, and he didn’t care who knew it. Even his own mother.  

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 5/7

Jesus needs help. Saving the world is overwhelming. Some days Jesus could not even. So he figured out who he liked, and trusted, and asked them to pick up some of the burden. And maybe one (or more) of the ones he chose were rotten… but he didn’t seem too worried about that. The man just needed some help.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 4/7

Jesus is bad at religion. You can keep all the rules, or you can be a better human. Probably not both at the same time.

Editor’s note: due to technical difficulties, the audio for this week had to be recorded with an iPhone rather than through our soundboard.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 3/7

Jesus attracts losers. The guest lists at parties in Jesus’s honor are full of inappropriate people – maybe because he lets people like Levi (like us?) make the guest list. Rev. Sarah Almanza join us for her #firsttime guest-preaching at Galileo!

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 2/7

Jesus wants you to go home. That “follow me” invitation isn’t for everyone; some people who get what Jesus has got just need to go on home. Or to the synagogue. Whichever he discerns is the restoration of relationship they need more than anything.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

The One of God's Own Choosing 1/7

Jesus is a bully. Jesus has no patience for demonic possession (and they’re everywhere! v. 25, v. 34, v. 39). There’s no negotiation, there’s no compromise, there’s no “both sides.” 

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's on First? 7/7

Cultivation of spiritual gifts: “I am the true vine,” John 15:1. And we are the branches, intended to “bear much fruit,” i.e. be useful in the field! How can the church help each branch flourish? What ways do we have of recognizing and encouraging the giftedness of each other? This is the day that we say “yes” to the co-conspiracy, commission our leaders, and celebrate our 8th birthday!

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's On First? 6/7

Presence, physical and emotional, at gatherings of the church: “I am the resurrection and the life,” John 11:25. Katie and Remi engage in a dialogue about what it means to be present in gatherings of the church in the age of virtual connection and community. In part they’ll riff about Martha and Mary’s accusation of Jesus: “If you’d’ve been here, our brother would not have died.” 

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's On First? 5/7

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Discernment for our next steps together: “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” John 14:6. Let’s imagine our life together as a journey rather than a destination, the same way that following Jesus is meant to make us light on our feet rather than stuck in static doctrine, practice, and tradition. If our life together is meant to be progressive, moving us toward God’s beautiful future, we need some lookouts for the blaze that marks the trail.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's On First? 4/7

Gracious receipt of care: “I am the good shepherd,” John 10:11. We literally get the term “pastoral care” from the work of shepherding. What would it look like for the whole church, the body of Christ, to take up this work of shepherding, in a turn-taking model that means some of us, some of time, are receiving care while others are giving it? What does it mean to give in to our sheepy-ness, sometimes?

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's On First? 3/7

Extension of the church’s welcome: “I am the gate,” John 10:9. Jesus here describes himself as a threshold, an opening in the boundary between “us” and “them,” a way in. How does the church emulate his “open door” way of being? How can Galileo Church continually prop our door open, so that we are a gateway to God’s own heart? I.e. it’s not about getting people in the church; it’s about generating access to God.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's On First? 2/7

Jesus knows who he is, and who he isn’t. Jesus knows whose words matter, and whose don’t. Whose words will you choose to listen to? The Rev. Dr. Irie Lynn Session brings us a word from John 8, and Apprentice Evangelist Remi Shores shares some communion thoughts. You would do well to listen.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

Who's On First? 1/7

The sharing of resources: “I am the bread of life,” John 6:35. Jesus insists that wherever he is, everyone has enough (and more than enough). It’s about resources both physical and spiritual – food and mercy. He ties this abundance to the practice of the eucharist (6:51), the eating of his flesh. In the church, we practice a “eucharistic economy” by sharing resources so that everyone has enough, an economy that inspires both generosity and gratitude.

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

One Helluva Week 6/6

Afraid. Mark’s gospel ends so weirdly, with nobody saying anything about that empty tomb because they’re afraid… So we should contemplate what got them from fear to proclamation – how were they eventually prompted to tell? How do we ourselves move from fear to confidence in our announcement of the gospel? (What are we afraid of?)

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

One Helluva Week 5/6

Saturday in lockdown: shhh. A question we rarely dare to ask or answer: has God ever disappointed you? It is the right question for Holy Saturday, that desolate day between crucifixion and resurrection. It is the day that we seriously wonder if maybe, maybe, all really is lost. Our journey with God is punctuated with Holy Saturdays – days between the worst and the best, days spent in quiet hiding, dealing with (or avoiding) the deep terror that maybe this time it won’t get better. There is no gospel text for Holy Saturday – surprise, surprise. But there are biblical expressions for it… 

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

One Helluva Week 4/6

Worst Friday Ever. “The crowds” who have, up to now, been with Jesus, take a turn in this chapter. Taken together, they magnify each other’s worst instincts to violence, disloyalty, and scapegoating. The chapter can be read as a growing consolidation of opposition (crowds, friends, soldiers, VRPs), until even the co-crucified criminals are taunting him – and, in a horrifying turn, until even God abandons Jesus. Could it be that his perception of divine abandonment is a result of the multiple defections of humans from his defense? 

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

One Helluva Week 3/6

Thursday is for dinner, prayer, and the longest night. Before the fracas-to-come, Jesus will take a time-out for (a) a meal with the people he loves most in the world, and (b) somewhat argumentative communion with God’s own self. He seeks comfort, solidarity, release; he receives none of that. What do we learn here about the nature of friendship? And about God’s own positioning, relative to our suffering?

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.

One Helluva Week 2/6

Midweek is for fig-cursing, table-turning, fight-picking. The way Mark tells it, Jesus does not go to Jerusalem until he’s ready for the fight that’s waiting for him there. He signals in every way that he is up to the challenge, that his ministry is not about compliance or cooperation with the powers that be for his own comfort or elevation. How have his followers in this age gotten this so wrong? When did we become puppets of the U.S. American empire?

To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or PayPal, or just send a check to 6563 Teague Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140.