Sermon notes, Speaker, Rev. Dr. Sherrie Connelly.
The New Church of Montgomery
OT Genesis 15:1
The Lord spoke to Abram in a vision. The holy often speaks in visions.
Daniel 7:1-20, 23-27
Daniel also heard the Lord speak in his dream, gifted with a holy vision.
The four winds of heaven were churning the sea. Four beasts came out of the sea.
A lion with eagles wings.
A bear with ribs in his mouth.
A leopard with four wings like a…
And four heads; Fourth beast terrifying and powerful
With large powerful iron teeth and 10 horns capable of destroying anything in its path. There was a smaller horn with eyes of a human being and a mouth that boasted, and somehow the beast was thrown in to the fire and destroyed.
Matthew 2:13-23
Joseph’s dream led him to take the holy child away from Herod’s dangerous curse. He first went to Israel, but still fearing danger went to Nazareth in Galilee. This a prophecy was fulfilled and he was called the Nazarene.
Acts 2: 1-13
When Pentecost came, a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire filled the people with the tongues of the Holy Spriit. Each heard his or her own language. All who claim the Lord Jesus and call his name for forgiveness will receive the promise of his call.
Arcana Coelestia, no. 1974
Dreams at night and visions by day were revealed by the Lord to the prophets. They flow in, as influx, down from heaven, seen by the eye and experienced in our lives.
Arcana Coelestia, no. 1177
Members of the most ancient church experienced delightful dreams and visions, especially paradise garden. Heavenly realms dwarfed the earthy and worldly which pointed to the higher glories of the heavens and the Lord, Himself.
Each of us has dreams at night and visions by day.
In dreams, we have memories and rehearse fear and hopes remembering promises, and trying on new possibilities for size.
Ins so doing, we discover new hopes and refine our own options and choices.
Some people will send messages to their subconscious minds at night, asking for guidance from their higher selves, a higher power, and perhaps from the Holy One, our beloved Lord God.
And at such times it is possible to listen and to receive.
As a church and congregation, we have a past, a history of over 200 and over 300 years.
We have a present, a holy present, to worship our beloved Lord, to share with each other in moments, of worship, communion and community, and to embrace our desired futures.
As a beloved community, we come together, here physically, and in our minds’ eyes, making contact with our wider communities, here in Cincinnati, in Ohio, our nation and the wider world.
The Lord embraces us with love, grace and peace, and we are held in blessed arms Amen.
New Church of Montgomery, in Glendale 