“Abide With Us” Means Building Deeper Relationships”

An excerpt: "We are called to “abide” with each other, and not just our family and friends and those who think and act and look like us. I believe that God becoming flesh and dwelling amongst humanity in significant ways, even when it wasn’t always fully understood and even when it engendered antipathy, misunderstanding, and violence, God still felt moved to abide with us and for us to abide with God – and each other. This momentous act puts relationship and relationship building at the center of what the Divine does and expects us to do the same."

More Colors, More Letters, More And More Grace

Sermon for A Worship Service Of Affirmation For LGBTQIA+ Persons Central Christian Church, New Albany, Indiana hosted the ecumenical Pride History Month Worship Service Saturday, October 22, 2022 – “A World Full Of Color!” Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8 & 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 By The Rev. Allen V. Harris, Regional Pastor & President, Christian Church in Ohio I…

“Commitment” ~ From The Pastor, December 2014

Commitment Commitment. It is a concept that I work with a lot as a pastor. It’s most evident when I am counseling couples who are planning on having a commitment ceremony or a wedding.  We spend a lot of time talking about the vows the couple will make to each other, and about what it means to make promises…

Prayers Of The People ~ July 21, 2013

Rev. Allen V. Harris Franklin Circle Christian Church ~ Cleveland, Ohio ~ http://www.FranklinCircleChurch.org   Following the events of this past week, both in the life of this nation and the work and witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at its General Assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, I felt that an appropriate use of…

August 21, 2011 Sermon And Podcast

Exodus 1:8-21 (and following) “Standing Up To Royal Misbehavior” Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Cleveland, Ohio Rev. Allen V. Harris (1) To hear this sermon as a podcast, click here: 110821SermonPodcast Compassion has been given a bad rap over the eons.  This deep flowing character trait has often been equated with softness, ineffectiveness, and,…