Loving Shame

At Pearl Church, we seek to express a sacred story and extend a common table that animate—move, motivate, inspire—our lives by Divine Love. Very often we find ourselves animated not by love, but by all-too familiar counterfeits like shame, fear, guilt, duty, and control. In this sermon series, we look to the life of Jesus, who turns a gentle and compassionate face toward people caught up in these animations, creating space for us to listen for the voice of love that beckons even in our deepest wounds and darkness. For love is strong enough to embrace and integrate all these animations, making us whole.

Transfiguration Sunday: What is Possible?

Today is Transfiguration Sunday. This special feast commemorates the miraculous change in Jesus’ appearance when he unveiled his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. As the fulfillment of Epiphany’s longing, the transfiguration reveals not only the glory of Jesus’ way of life in the world, but it also casts vision for all that we can become, in the midst of what we are.

Christ the Wisdom of God

The tradition of wisdom is expansive. On the one hand, conventional wisdom provides insights into living when life goes as it’s expected to go. On the other hand, radical wisdom provides insights into living when life takes surprising turns. Then there’s stages of wisdom—pre-rational, rational, and post-rational—which offer unique insights into our many phases of development. And of course, in our Christian tradition, there’s Christ, who is called, “The wisdom of God.” This sermon series will plumb the depths of wisdom’s complexity, seeking light capable of holding us, grounding us, and inspiring us, no matter the circumstance or stage we find ourselves in.

Song of Songs' Light

The tradition of wisdom is expansive. On the one hand, conventional wisdom provides insights into living when life goes as it’s expected to go. On the other hand, radical wisdom provides insights into living when life takes surprising turns. Then there’s stages of wisdom—pre-rational, rational, and post-rational—which offer unique insights into our many phases of development. And of course, in our Christian tradition, there’s Christ, who is called, “The wisdom of God.” This sermon series will plumb the depths of wisdom’s complexity, seeking light capable of holding us, grounding us, and inspiring us, no matter the circumstance or stage we find ourselves in.

Job's Light

The tradition of wisdom is expansive. On the one hand, conventional wisdom provides insights into living when life goes as it’s expected to go. On the other hand, radical wisdom provides insights into living when life takes surprising turns. Then there’s stages of wisdom—pre-rational, rational, and post-rational—which offer unique insights into our many phases of development. And of course, in our Christian tradition, there’s Christ, who is called, “The wisdom of God.” This sermon series will plumb the depths of wisdom’s complexity, seeking light capable of holding us, grounding us, and inspiring us, no matter the circumstance or stage we find ourselves in.