November 16, 2025: We Are God’s New Thing
Isaiah 65: 17 - 25

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

"For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)

The scripture for this week is more than just a beautiful poem; it is God's bold declaration of intent to heal a broken world. To the prophet's audience, the "former things" meant the terror of exile and widespread destruction. For us, the "former things" are the systems of sin that we, as a justice minded people, are called to leave behind: the trauma of white supremacy, the heavy weight of economic inequality, and the violence of homophobia and transphobia. We are especially mindful of this as Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19) leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.

This divine act of forgetfulness is an act of covenantal repair, God is clearing the slate, not by erasing history, but by creating a future full of justice and hope that makes the horrors of the past lose their power to define us. As a church committed to being anti-racist, our job is to join God in this creative act dismantling the old foundations of exclusion so the New Thing -- the genuinely equitable and welcoming community -- can emerge.

The promise is that we don't have to wait for a distant paradise. We are called to live this vision right now. Isaiah's blueprint for the Beloved Community is a call for us to co-create in the present moment.

As we dream God's big dream, envision the Beloved Community, and live into God's call for us, what does it mean for you to be God's New Thing?

The way we worship is the way we live.

Worship is the work of the people, bringing together our fullest selves in a communal act of love and gratitude.  Each voice is important; each person is valued as the Spirit draws out our authentic gifts and talents, shared in the ever-widening circle of God’s people.  We hope you’ll join us this week as we gather to worship the God of extravagant welcome.