Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23 (NRSVue) Our Joseph story for Sunday is one about the temptations of youth, and a story of becoming a man. Joseph, in his young life, has had many lessons from the school...

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36 (NRSVue) We’re introduced here to a new character—Joseph’s older brother Reuben. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks notes, Reuben had conscience, but not courage or resolve. He wanted to deliver his brother, but things...

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-11 (NRSVue) Our journey through Genesis reaches a new stage: The Joseph Stories. I’d like to extensively quote from a beautiful description of these unforgettable stories: “The stories of Genesis, and especially the...

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31 (NRSVue) Jacob’s all-night wrestling match with the mysterious man is one of the most unusual and fascinating scenes in all of Scripture. Who was this stranger that appears at night and leaves...

Genesis 29:15-28 (NRSVue) Jacob is finding himself in some hot water this week in Genesis. Jacob the trickster’s antics finally catch up with him when he meets his match: Uncle Laban. This week we’ll look...

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19a (NRSVue) “The miracle,” says Walter Bruegemann, “is the way this sovereign God binds himself to this treacherous fugitive (Jacob).” The good news of Genesis is that God is able to draw straight...

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34 (NRSVue) Our passage from Genesis looks at the third generation—Abraham and Sarah’s twin grandsons Esau and Jacob, who could have just as easily been named Yin and Yang. And let me tell you,...

Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38; 24:42-49; 24:58-67 (NRSVue) Sermon by — Kris Goorsky, Director of Christian Formation July 9, 2023 — Worship Service Bulletin Sermon Art: “Eliezer and Rebecca” (1931) by Marc Chagall All of Immanuel’s Worship Service Videos...

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14 (NRSVue) Soren Kierkegaard in his classic Fear and Trembling, which explores in depth our Scripture passage, says, “There were countless generations who knew the story of Abraham by heart…, but how many...

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21 (NRSVue) If you want a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect family in ninety days or less, Genesis is definitely not the place to turn. This week’s story of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael...

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15 (NRSVue) In this stage of Abraham’s journey in Genesis, we’ll look at God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah that he would give them a child, Isaac (which means “laughter”), even though they...

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 (NRSVue) In Genesis 1 and 2, God spoke the worlds into existence. Now God speaks to Abraham, calling him to leave the known for the unknown. First God called worlds into existence,...