The one thousand sermons of this archive are a record of the thoughtful steps in Richard Rhem's journey as it deepened in the 1980s and then continued to evolve from a conservative beginning until it led him to his ultimate understanding: an open mind and a warm heart must be grounded in the Way of Love, and must affirm the quest and insight of all faiths. On that foundation can be built a community that practices religion not as dogma but as dialogue, mutual enrichment and understanding.
"Dick Rhem is the best teacher-preacher I have ever heard in my life." Marcus Borg
Of Angels, Songs in the Night and Deep Human Intuition
New Years Eve
Luke 2:9, 30; Galatians 4:6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 31, 2000
Love at the Core of Reality, Incarnation
This Is Our Story
Christmas Eve
Micah 5:5; John 1:14, 18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 24, 2000
Advent, Incarnation,Love at the Core of
Reality
The Lure of Love
Midweek Advent
I Corinthians 13:8; John 3:16
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 20, 2000
The Lost Cause of Christmas
Advent III
I Samuel 2:8; Luke 1:52-53
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 17, 2000
Advent, Awareness, Intention,
Incarnation
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years
Midweek Advent
Idaiah 7:4; Luke 1:13, 30
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 13, 2000
Are We Having Any Fun Yet?
Advent II
Amos 8:5; James 4:13-14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 10, 2000
Awareness, Spiritual Dimension of Reality,
Meaning
Beyond Duty to Delight
Thanksgiving Day
I Chronicles 29:9; 29:22; 9:7
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 23, 2000
The Root of Good Religion
Pentecost XXIV
Psalm 116:17
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 19, 2000
Consciousness, Epiphany, Grace,
Nature of Religion
Humility That Opens to Wonder
Pentecost XXIII
Exodus 4:13; I Corinthians 15:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 12, 2000
Transcendence, Epiphany, Humility
In the Face of Mystery
All Saints Sunday;
Pentecost XXII
Job 23:3; Romans 8:38-39
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 05, 2000
Mystery, Search for God,
Consciousness
An Intentional Commitment: A Matter of Heart
Pentecost XIX
II Corinthians 8:8
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 15, 2000
An Emerging Vision: What Matters?
Pentecost XVIII
Psalm 78:6-7; Jeremiah 29:11; James 4:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 08, 2000
Theology of Grace, Inclusive, Pluralism
A Charter of Freedom: A Matter of Choice
Pentecost XVII
Joshua 4:6; 24:15; I Corinthians 3: 21-23
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 01, 2000
The Gift of Sabbath
Pentecost XIII
Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12, 15; Mark 2:27
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 03, 2000
Awareness, Community of Faith, Worship
The Experience of God in a Pitiless Universe
Pentecost XII
Job 38:2; Job 42:3; Luke 13:2
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 27, 2000
Compassion, Justice, God
When god dies...
Pentecost X
Psalm 42:2; Romans 1:20
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 13, 2000
Religion as a Human Construct,
Divine Mystery
Religion As Illusion
Pentecost IX
Isaiah 43:3; Ephesians 4:13; Matthew 6:3
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 06, 2000
Spiritual Quest, Nature of Religion,
Divine Presence
Religion As Prozac
Pentecost VIII
Matthew 11:28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 30, 2000
Spiritual Quest, Nature of Religion,
Community
Religion Made On Earth
Pentecost VII
Isaiah 44:18; Acts 17:27-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 23, 2000
Religion as a Human Construct,Pluralism,
Compassion
Prayer Changes People
Pentecost V
Jeremiah 29:11-14; Psalm 131:1-2; Matthew 6:8-9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 09, 2000
Panentheism, Prayer, Awareness, Divine
Presence
Freedom and Commitment in a Global Society
Pentecost IV
Galatians 5:13
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 02, 2000
Diversity, Inclusive, Global Community,
Compassion
Mystery, Manifestation and Community
Pentecost III;
Father's Day
Exodus 3:2; Mark 1:11; Acts 9:3
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 25, 2000
Community of Faith, Spirit of God,
Inclusive
1 + 1 + 1 = 1 to the Higher Power
Trinity Sunday;
Pentecost II
John 1:1, 14, 18; John 14:9; II Corinthians 3:18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 18, 2000
Jesus Movement, Divine Intention,
Father's Day, Spirit
Fire From Heaven
Pentecost
Joel 2:28-32; Acts 19:1-7
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 11, 2000
Spirit of God,Pentecost, Diversity,
Inclusive
I Wish Someone Had Told Me That - Or, Did They?
Baccalaureate Sunday;
Eastertide VII
Romans 8:31, 39
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 04, 2000
Diversity, Immanence, Inclusive, Love
Prayer on Baccalaureate Sunday
Baccalaureate Sunday
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 04, 2000
Prayer, Baccalaureate Sunday
Remember Me Where My Heart Dwells
Memorial Day Weekend;
Eastertide VI
Psalm 84:2; I Corinthians 5:35-36; John 19;40
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 28, 2000
Community of Faith, Remembering
Rootedness and Belonging
Mother's Day;
Eastertide IV
Philippians 3:8
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 14, 2000
Mother's Day, Diversity, Inclusive,
Community
Emmaus: Now You See Him; Now You Don't
Eastertide II
Luke 24:31
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 30, 2000
Presence of God, Jesus, Epiphany,
Humility
The Truth That Will Not Die
Easter Sunday
Psalm 82; I Corinthians 15:12-29; Matthew 27:50-54
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 23, 2000
Easter, Resurrection, Transformation,
Spirit, Justice
A Table of Inclusion
Maundy Thursday
John 13:2, 20
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 20, 2000
Angry Resentment Poisons the Soul
Midweek Lent
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 12, 2000
Harmless Religion: Loss of Soul
Lent V
Amos 5:21, 24; 7:13; John 11:48
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 09, 2000
Historical Jesus, Prophetic Voice,
Transformation; Justice
Proud Ambition Comes Up Empty
Midweek Lent
Isaiah 57:14-15; Luke 9:46-48
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 05, 2000
The Message of the Kingdom: An Alternative Society
Lent IV
Matthew 4:12, 17
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 02, 2000
Historical Jesus, Jesus Movement,
Justice
Judging and Condemning is Not Our Prerogative
Midweek Lent
James 4:11-12; Matthew 7:1-5
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 29, 2000
Seeking Justice in a Brutal World
Lent III
Matthew 3:2
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 26, 2000
Awareness, Justice, Sermon on the Mount
Grace is the Last Best Word - But Will It Work in the World?
Midweek Lent
Matthew 5:38-48; Luke 23:32-38
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 22, 2000
The Mind of Christ: Walking in His Steps
Midweek Lent
Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Peter 2:11-21; Luke 1:46-55
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 15, 2000
The Face and the Flesh
Lent I
John 6:51; II Corinthians 4:6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 12, 2000
Lent, Divine Intention, Way of Jesus,
Awareness
If I Should Wake Before I Die
Ash Wednesday
Daniel 6:10-13, 19-24; John 12:20-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 08, 2000
The World Is Not Enough
Epiphany IX
Eclesiastes 2:11; I Timothy 6:17; Luke 12:21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 05, 2000
Consciousness, Presence of God,
All will be well
The Challenge of the Modern World
Epiphany VIII
Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10; Luke 4:18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 27, 2000
Nature of Religion, Mystery, Meaning
The Question That Will Not Go Away
Epiphany VII
Psalm 42:2; Job 23:3; John 3:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 20, 2000
Hunger for God, Spiritual Quest, Meaning
The Clash of Civilizations and the Healing of the Nations
Epiphany III
Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 23, 2000
Global Peace, Pluralism
From Babel to Bethlehem to Spirit and Truth
Epiphany II
Genesis 11:8; Acts 2:6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 16, 2000
Global Community, Consciousness, Spirit
Light of the World
Epiphany Sunday
Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 2:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 09, 2000
Global Peace, Pluralism, Epiphany