DATE: May 26, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 8: 1-4; 14-31
©Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Saugatuck Church front lawn

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” — Socrates

I was walking along one day, when I came to a crossroads, and there I met Lady Wisdom. She stood tall and erect, not bent over at all, even though she is as old as the hills; her eyes were bright and her whole face lit up with a smile as I approached; she ran to meet me. Lady Wisdom has no need for a cane. She moves with the agility of a dancer – because that’s what she is. The one who danced with God at the beginning of time. Continue reading →

DATE: May 12, 2013 — Pentecost Sunday (one week early)
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 9:1-11; Acts 2:1-21
©Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Seabury Center

How often do we misunderstand each other? Mis-hear, mis-speak, mis-apprehend? How often do our assumptions, perceptions or perspectives color our communication in ways that make it hard for us to really hear one another? Have you ever thought you knew what someone was thinking or feeling, maybe even told them so, only to be proven very wrong? Have you ever heard one thing, only to be told, “That’s not what I said at all”? Continue reading →

DATE: May 5, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:9-15
Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

[Sung]  Let’s all go down in the river and pray, studying about that good ‘ol way and who shall wear the robe and crown: O, Lord, show me the way.

O, Sisters let’s go down, let’s go down, won’t you come on down. O, sisters let’s go down, down in the river to pray…

Lydia went down to the river that Sabbath day; went out the gates of the city of Philippi, that leading city, bustling, Roman city… Lydia went out the gates of the city, away from the noise of creaking wagon wheels and barking merchants, away from the smell of sweat and rotting food mixed with sea air; past whistling Roman soldiers and blind beggars stationed at the gate and down to the river to pray. Continue reading →

DATE: April 28, 2013
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 11:1-18 – scripture reading follows sermon text.
© Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Seabury Center

8 am Easter morning at the Peoples Church of Chicago: we all brought cartons of multi-colored hard boiled eggs to hide in the sanctuary. Once the kids had found them all, Grace (in her Easter hat and flowered dress) peeled and sliced all the eggs and laid them out on white bread spread with mayo. Continue reading →

DATE: April 14th, 2013
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 9:1-20
©Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Saugatuck Church front lawn

You want me to do what? That’s what I said to the church official who informed me (when I was 18) that documenting human rights abuses in El Salvador wasn’t going to be an option but I could go work for a year with the Pentecostal Church in Chile. You want me to do what? It’s also what I said to the president of Chicago Theological Seminary, when she urged me to apply for the Director of Admissions position there, just as I was looking for my first call to a local church. Continue reading →

DATE: March 31, 2013
©Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Trouble viewing this video? You can also find it here.

DATE: March 17, 2013
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 56: 1-13; John 12:20-26
by
William Salmond

When you think about it we are all bombarded by thousands of stimuli each day especially in the form of ads. The computer, TV, radio and print media with newspapers and magazines.  The message is pretty consistent. “It’s all about you.” A healthier, more beautiful, happier, slimmer, you. Even a frozen yogurt promises much. A mini pinkberry promises “a mini treat- maximum happiness.” Continue reading →

DATE: March 10, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:1-32
© Alison J. Buttrick Patton

As a parent, I’ve never been crazy about the game ‘hide and go seek.’ Probably because my exuberant and clever children usually want to play it in the public park, or on the playground, where the playground equipment provides fabulous hiding places, but makes a nervous mother even more nervous about what dire things might befall small boys while they are out of my sight Continue reading →

DATE: March 3, 2013
©Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Below is video of the Silver Lake Sunday full worship service. All Ages Sermon, "God’s Backyard" begins at 27 minunte mark.

Trouble viewing this video? You can also find it here: http://youtu.be/KxY3WfDUfAw