<![CDATA[FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH PALO ALTO, UCC - Messages]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:30:57 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[More of the Same]]>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 23:37:28 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/more-of-the-sameSpeaker:Rev David Howell
​Date:October 24,2023
]]><![CDATA[That's Not Fair!]]>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 23:34:28 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/thats-not-fairSpeaker:Rev David Howell
​Date: September 24,2023
]]><![CDATA[Celebrating New Life and New Hope]]>Sun, 17 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/celebrating-new-life-and-new-hopeSpeaker:Rev David Howell
​Date: April 17,2022
​Pastor Dave reminds us how quick we are to judge, even with incomplete information. We see what we expect to see, so we will only see God if we expect to see God. Easter is not a commemoration of a past event, but a celebration of what God is doing now. We are called to be an Easter people, who see the power of God at work in the world, among us, within us, and through us.
]]><![CDATA[Singing the Passion of the Christ]]>Sun, 10 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/singing-the-passion-of-the-christSpeaker: Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman
Date: April 10,2022
During Holy Week, Pastor Eileen contemplates the movements and moments leading to Christ's Passion in the context of a choral mass
]]><![CDATA[Longing for the Past]]>Sun, 03 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/longing-for-the-pastSpeaker:Rev. David Howell
Date: April 3,2022
Pastor Dave discusses the prophet Isaiah's call to see the new thing God is doing in our midst, not to dwell in the past or long for some imagined better time. We are called to take responsibility for our own actions, and recognize the power we have to do good in the world.
]]><![CDATA[A Man Had Two Sons]]>Sun, 27 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/a-man-had-two-sonsSpeaker:Rev. Stina Miller
Date: March 27,2022
​Out of the depths we cry to you, God. Rev. Stina Miller explores the parable of the Prodigal Son. Do you see yourself in one of the figures in the parable? God's indiscriminate prodigal grace does not operate based on merit or just desserts; grace is simply grace, lavishly and lovingly offered.
]]><![CDATA[Bearing Fruit]]>Sun, 20 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/bearing-fruit

Speaker:Rev.Dr.Eileen Altman
Date: March 20,2022

Pastor Eileen speaks on repentance. When we've fallen short loving God and our neighbor, God loves us anyway, and God calls us to repent, change and bear fruit. Repentance is urgent and God calls us to nourish our souls and grow.
]]><![CDATA[At Least I Tried]]>Sun, 13 Mar 2022 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/at-least-i-triedSpeaker:Rev. David Howell
Date: March 13,2022
​Pastor Dave discusses Jesus' lamentation over Jerusalem, a reminder that God responds to our failures and stumbles with lament, not condemnation. In our worst moments, we are given the opportunity for new life.
]]><![CDATA[Waiting for an Opportune Time]]>Sun, 06 Mar 2022 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/waiting-for-an-opportune-time

Speaker: Rev. David Howell
​Date: March 6, 2022

​Pastor Dave begins Lent by talking about Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, and the idea that self-centeredness is at the root of sin, and it often keeps us from becoming the people we are called to be. 
]]><![CDATA[Speechless]]>Sun, 27 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.fccpa.org/messages/speechless

Speaker:Rev.Dr.Eileen Altman
Date: February 27, 2022

Pastor Eileen preaches on the transfiguration story in the week Russia invaded Ukraine. There are times in our lives when we need the hope that God's love surrounds us in ways we can't explain; war is one of those times.
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