August 30, 2026

“Desiderata”

“Desiderata” A sermon based on Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12:9-21 and Matthew 16:21-28 delivered by the Rev. Alison Dutton Jacobs on the 14^th Sunday After Pentecost August 30, 2026 at the First Congregational Church UCC of Onekama, Michigan.

Just like Peter, who rebukes Jesus in our Matthew passage this morning, we don’t really like to talk about the Cross. And yet, today we have to do that. For today the scripture is clear about these things. If we are not to be stumbling blocks to Jesus and his message to the world, then we must deny ourselves and take up our cross—whatever that means for us individually—and follow the Christian Way.  And we should do this, because it is our deepest desire to repay the gift of life that Jesus’ death on the cross has given us. . . .