Sermons & Worship by Guest Preacher (Page 4)

By Dr. Marc Smithers Marc Smithers lives in Belfast with his wife, Ailie, their two kids, and their border collie, Fly. He attends the Sojourner’s Mennonite Fellowship in Belfast, NY and serves on its leadership team. He holds a master’s in higher education and a doctorate in organizational leadership. He currently works as a grants researcher after serving fourteen years in student affairs. Scripture: Romans 8:12-25

By Sarah Jacoby Murphy Sarah earned a B.A. from Houghton University and M.Div from Duke Divinity School. She has spent most of her career working in the nonprofit sector and has a particular interest in the areas of immigration and the environment. Scripture: I Corinthians 13:8-13; John 20:1-2, 11-18 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God. For you are our Rock and our Redeemer, the one who…

By Sarah Jacoby Murphy Sarah earned a B.A. from Houghton University and M.Div from Duke Divinity School. She has spent most of her career working in the nonprofit sector and has a particular interest in the areas of immigration and the environment. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 25:31-40 It is good to be back with all of you! This is my third time preaching here, and each time I visit I am struck by the warmth and hospitality of your…

By Dr. Mark Borchert An ordained minister, Mark Borchert is a Professor of Business and Communication and the Dean of Management and Creative Arts at Houghton University. Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 13-25

By Bob Donius Bob Donius is a retired lecturer in Theology and Franciscan Studies and former Vice President of Ministries at St. Bonaventure University. Scripture: Genesis 32:23-33:10 Lana sent me this email: “You asked about a possible focus for June 25th and I’m thinking about “transitions.” People in the old and new testaments are constantly on the move: the Israelites, Paul, Jesus…on the road, transitioning in one way or another from point A to point B to point… and it…

By Rev. Wendy Fambro Rev. Fambro is an ordained American Baptist minister who retired 2 years ago after serving a variety of churches and campus ministries. She now works full-time teaching tai chi and wellness classes to older adults in the Finger Lakes region. Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:5-12; Matthew 25:14-21 On October 14, 2001, my father, Donald W. DeMott, died following nearly three years of health struggles beginning with fluid on the brain and ending in a series of strokes. I…

By Pastor Tory Bonners Tory Bonners is the pastor at Sojourners Mennonite Fellowship and a hospital chaplain. In May 2021, she graduated from her MDiv program at Denver Seminary and this spring, finished the last of her chaplaincy training at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.  Scripture: Mark 9:9-12; 18-26 As we just heard this passage, I wonder if the phrase: “As Jesus went on from there…” stuck out to you too? For me, that phrase brings to mind a picture…

By Bob Donius Bob Donius is a retired lecturer in Theology and Franciscan Studies and former Vice President of Ministries at St. Bonaventure University. Scripture: Luke 4: 14-22 Song: You are Mine by David Haas What is your vocation? What are you called to? This story in the Gospel tells us how Jesus has come to understand his mission, his vocation, his calling, who he is and what he is meant to do. Like Isaiah he is called to the…

By John Buckwalter, a member of UUC who preaches from time to time. Scripture: Micah 6:1-8 Alfred is a community focused on education. Many of us focus on education for our life work, or are retired from it. We represent many different disciplines, but there’s a tool common to all – the syllabus. I’ve probably put together more than 100 in my career; the most recent was for a computer skills course in Ethiopia 4 years ago. (For non-educators –…

A Mother’s Day Sermon by Rick Stephens, a member of UUC who preaches from time to time. Scripture: Luke 1:39-55 I’m not sure of all the various forces or accidents of timing conspired to have me giving a sermon on Mother’s Day, of all days. Aside from not actually being a preacher of any kind, I’m mostly a teacher. Rather than some kind of inspirational message, I usually had something more practical, or even utilitarian in mind for any specific…