Sermon Archive

Sermons at Pearl seek to engage the ancient stories, poems, and letters in the Bible through imaginative oration that rouses our wholeness as human beings. The act of the sermon at Pearl is space to ponder the sacred, opportunity to consider the mystery and love of God, and provocation to slow down, to think deeply, and to be stirred and inspired to bountifully live.

February 16, 2025

The Making of Family

February 16, 2025/ Mike Roth

In Epiphany the church basks in the light of Divine Love that is revealed in the incarnation of Christ. This incarnation of the Infinite is full of surprises. Perhaps most surprising is that we see God, in Jesus, not being served but serving; not being sacrificed to but becoming sacrifice. Rather than seeing God as a guest who we attend to and serve, the incarnation encourages the sight of God inviting, feeding, and befriending—climactically providing a supper of self-giving for every person. The way of Jesus, then, invites us into similar transformation—from guests who find warm welcome at Jesus’ Common Table to partners passionate about making warm welcome for others.

Pearl Church

Pearl Church is an open, inclusive, progressive church in Portland's Pearl District. We worship together on Sundays with programs for kids, youth, and adults.