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
Does Love Talk Change Anything?
Christmastide
Luke 2:1-20; John 3:1-10, 16-17
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 29, 2002
Vulnerable
Christmas Eve
Luke 2:1-14; 23:32-38
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 24, 2002
The Deeper Truth of Incarnation
Advent IV
I John 1:1-4; 4:7-8; John 1:1-5, 14-18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 22, 2002
Divine Intention, Incarnation, Way of Love
The Extension of the Incarnation
Midweek Advent
I John 4:7-8, 12-16, 19; Psalm 88; John 1:1-5, 14-18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 18, 2002
The Risk of Love
Advent III
Philippians 2:1-11; Luke 2:8-14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 15, 2002
Jesus: Intervention or Emanation?
Midweek Advent
Isaiah 9:2-7; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:1, 12-16
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 11, 2002
Advent Prayer, 2002
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 01, 2002
Prayer, Advent
Icon of God from Cradle to Grave
Advent I
Hebrews 1:1-4; Luke 2:1-7; 23:32-38
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 01, 2002
Incarnation, Jesus as image of God
Grace - The Root of Gratitude
Thanksgiving Day
Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Psalm 116
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 28, 2002
The Holy Family - God's Elect?
Pentecost XXVII
Genesis 27:1-4, 30-45; Romans 9:1-18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 24, 2002
Abrahamic Faiths, Non-exclusive,
Universal Grace, Pluralism, Interfaith
Abraham: One God, Three Names
Pentecost XXVI
Genesis 12:1-3; 21:8-21; Romans 9:1-8; 11:25-36
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 17, 2002
Religious Pluralism, Abrahamic Faiths
Death - The Last Enemy
All Saints Day;
Pentecost XXIV
Genesis 3:1-3; I Corinthians 15:20-26
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 03, 2002
The Fall Into Authentic Humanity
Pentecost XXIII
Genesis 3:1-10; Romans 5:12-21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 27, 2002
Integrity of Heart - An Honest Work
Pentecost XXII
I Chronicles 29:10-18; II Corinthians 9:6-15
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 20, 2002
Creation: Stardust to Human to...
Pentecost XXI
Genesis 1:1-5, 26-27; Ephesians 4:1-16
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 13, 2002
Lure of Love, Cosmic Evolution,
Transformation
Hunger For God
Pentecost XIX
Romans 8:12-27; Luke 12:13-21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 29, 2002
Natural religion, cosmic evolution,
Divine Mystery
The Gift of Sabbath
Labor Day Weekend;
Pentecost XV
Exodus 29:8-11; Mark 2:23-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 01, 2002
Community of Faith, Open Mind
Where in the World is God?
Pentecost XIV
Isaiah 46:1-7; John 14: 1-20
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 25, 2002
The Garment of God
Pentecost XIII
Genesis 1:24-31; Psalm 8; John 1:1-5, 14-18;
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 18, 2002
Immanence, Natural religion,
Process theology
The Self-Creating Universe and the Problem of Good
Pentecost XII
John 1:1, 14; 4:16
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 11, 2002
Immanence, Natural religion,
Process theology
Reenchantment Without Supernaturalism
Pentecost XI
Creation: God's Ecstasy, David Ray Griffin
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 04, 2002
Immanence, Natural religion,
Process theology
Prayer With Eyes Wide Open
Pentecost X
Psalm 130; Mark 1:29-39; Thomas Moore, The Souls Religion
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 28, 2002
Prayer, Awareness
To Be Human Is Enough
Pentecost IX
Ezekiel 1:1, 26
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 21, 2002
Dropping the Salvation Fantasy
Pentecost VIII
Psalm 131; John 3:1-10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 14, 2002
Spiritual Quest,
Sacred Dimension of Reality
The Revolution Then and Now
Independence Day Sunday;
Pentecost VII
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 33:10-17; Matthew 5:38-48
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 07, 2002
Global Community, Way of Jesus,
Non-violence
Summer Prayer 2002
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 01, 2002
Prayer, Shalom
Companions: The Mark of Community
Pentecost VI
John 21:12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 30, 2002
God experienced in Community,
Incarnation
God, Freud and Fathers
Fathers' Day;
Pentecost IV
Psalm 103; Luke 11:1-13
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 16, 2002
Compassionate God,
Religion as a human construct
The Art of Worship
Pentecost III
Psalm 148; Revelation 4
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 09, 2002
Experience of the sacred, worship
The Root of Vision and Values To Die For
Trinity Sunday,
Memorial Day Weekend;
Pentecost I
Jeremiah 9:24
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 26, 2002
Trinity, Mystery, Embodiment,
experience of the sacred
What's the Holy Father To Do With a Mother Like Rosie O'Donnell?
Mothers' Day;
Eastertide VI
Matthew 19:14; I Corinthians 13:13
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 12, 2002
Empathy, Community of Faith
You Need Never Walk Alone
Confirmation Sunday;
Eastertide V
I Corinthians 11:17-26; John 21:9-14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 05, 2002
Community of Faith
Whose Truth Are You Living?
Eastertide IV
Philippians 3:4-11; 4:10-14; Matthew 28:1-10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 28, 2002
Eastertide, Transformation
Two Understanding When Friends Disagree
Eastertide I
Ecclesiastes 3:3-8; Galatians 2:11-14; Luke 24:28-42
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 07, 2002
Eastertide, Transformation, Inclusivism
Just Imagine - The Real Miracle of Easter
Easter Sunday
I Corinthians 15:50; John 20:17, 29
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 31, 2002
Easter, Transformation, Inclusivism
Of All Save Love
Maundy Thursday
Hosea 11:1-9; John 13:1-30
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 28, 2002
The Road Taken Makes All the Difference
Palm Sunday
Luke 4:1-13; John 12:12-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 24, 2002
Palm Sunday, The Way of Peace
Of Violence
Midweek Lent
Luke 22:39-53
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 20, 2002
Thy Kingdom Come, Meaning...
Passion Sunday
Isaiah 42:3; Mark 13:26; Matthew 6:10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 17, 2002
Of the Need to Control and Dominate
Midweek Lent
John 11:44-53; 12:36-43
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 13, 2002
What Comes Through in the Jesus Story?
Lent IV
Genesis 1:27; Matthew 9:8
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 10, 2002
God as non-violent, All-Inclusive, Lent
Of Resentment and Grudging Obedience
Midweek Lent
I Corinthians 13:1-7; Luke 10:38-42
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 06, 2002
Of The Need to Win
Midweek Lent
Matthew 16:13-23, 26:69-75; John 21:15-23
February 27, 2002
Jesus, the Human Being - A Stunning Revelation of God
Lent II
Ezekiel 1:26; Luke 9:55-56
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 24, 2002
Lent, Humanness of God,
The Son of the Man
Mary and Her Son
Midweek Lent
Luke 2:33-36; Mark 3:19-35; John 19:25-27
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 20, 2002
This Do; But Why?
Lent I
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 17, 2002
Way of Jesus, Journey, Lent
As Death Approaches
Ash Wednesday
Psalm 31:1-5, 11-18; Luke 23:44-49
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 13, 2002
From Feast to Fast: Honoring the Human
Epiphany VI
Psalm 103:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 10, 2002
Epiphany, Celebration of Life
The Best Is Yet To Be
Epiphany Sunday
Matthew 2:9; Revelation 21:24
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 06, 2002
Jesus, Light of the World, Epiphany