Silence (Sermon)

In his latest sermon, 'Silence', Rev. Jake Medcalf referenced Mark Lambertson’s The Dangerous Act of Worship and his practice of reading global mission updates, then led a pastoral prayer for peacemaking and an end to violence affecting families and children worldwide. He taught that people are made for deep intimacy with God but often fill their hunger with noise, busyness, and distraction, and he invited the church to practice solitude and silence in the “eremos” as Jesus did. Citing Augustine, Ruth Haley Barton, Søren Kierkegaard, C.S. Lewis, Andrew Sullivan, and John Mark Comer, he described silence as a place where illusions die, faith can be renewed, and God’s voice can be heard, while noting fear and uncertainty as barriers. A testimony from Louise described growing into extended silence and finding peace and freedom. The sermon concluded with communion, prayer, and invitations to a cohort and retreat to practice these disciplines.