Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor Sunday Sermons

What traits or circumstance lead to corruption of the human spirit? What does it take to respond with integrity in the face of persecution? Emily Swan explores these questions, and […]

We go through cycles of scarcity and abundance. The scarcity phase always feels bleak. In this week’s sermon, “Surprising Abundance from a Meager Offering,” Ken Wilson looks at what it means […]

Have you ever thought of the story of Esther as historical fiction, or, more specifically, as a burlesque comedy? Emily Swan explores this view, based on the teaching of Jewish […]

We all have experience with bullies—and now we have national leaders using old-fashioned bullying tactics. Jesus resisted bullies and his resistance to Herod is a primer on how to do […]

Jesus, of all people, was most justified in offering bromides like “everything’s gonna be all right.” But when his friends were in the shock of grief, he mourned right along […]

Guest Speaker Cristy Starkweather tells the story of hosting an immigrant mother, separated from her children at the border, on her way to find them in NYC. In the process Cristy […]

Thousands of asylum-seeking children have been forcibly separated from their parents at the border, a policy rooted in Scripture, according to our nation’s Attorney General. We would better consider the […]

Guest Speaker Lilianna Angel Reyes, trans Latina woman and Interim Executive Director of Affirmations in Ferndale, shares from her personal journey of transition—including obstacles and support, rejection, acceptance, and hope—in her message, […]

What is a “spiritual awakening”? Not the flash of light, but the result of real steps taken. Contemplate this, and more, as Ken Wilson brings us the next sermon in our […]

What would such a thing feel like, anyway—conscious contact, that is? And what simple things can we do to improve our conscious contact? What do the six steps that mention […]

In her message, “Tested to Become Diamonds,” guest speaker Rev. Dr. Renee Jackson challenges us to view ourselves as diamonds in the rough, believing that God is refining us through […]

The Spirit of Love frees us from fear through every step of the 12 steps—including the time we take to reflect on our interactions with others through the day. Wouldn’t […]

Progress, not perfection is the path to sanity. Like the U.S. Constitution, we start off with flaws that can only be corrected by amendments. Making amends, step by step. Ken […]

Christine Modey, leader from St Clares and President of the Genesis board (our facility hosts) shares the interfaith vision that made a place for Blue Ocean Faith—yet another expression of […]

AA is a part of a change-is-possible spirituality that dates back to Abraham, called to follow a Higher Power to a land he hadn’t heard of. Steps 4, 5, and […]

Guest speaker Molly Morton shares her personal struggles with deprecating self-talk, and misguided views of God, in “The Power of Stories: Participating in God’s Story, and Letting God Reshape Ours.” Learn […]

Ken Wilson gives the second sermon in our series, “The 12 Steps for Anyone: How to Say More-with-Less About God (Steps 1–3).” The genius of AA: helping us with things […]

We’ve all been affected by AA: Think: easy does it, one step at a time, keep it simple stupid. In our new sermon series we’ll look at the movement that […]

When your faith makes the feel-bad worse, it may be the shadow-gospel, not the real thing. Jesus lived under the shadow of moral suspicion his whole life, and his message […]

We all need people to look up to. A person is often revealed in spontaneous moments, chance interactions, like these three from the gospel of John in the run up […]

Emily Swan shares from her personal experiences about the value of prayer in connecting to her true self, in the fifth week of our sermon series,“Prayer: The Shaping of Desire.” […]

In week four of our sermon series,“Prayer: The Shaping of Desire,” Ken Wilson shares how he learned to calm himself after developing anxiety—employing 4 daily practices. Learn more about Blue […]

In week three of our Lenten Series, Ken Wilson looks at the power of song with “Singing Our Prayers: Recovering What Used to Be Natural,” or, how the professional ideal of […]

In the second week of our Lenten sermon series, “Prayer: The Shaping of Desire,” Emily introduces us to what is probably the most biblical form of daily prayer unknown to […]

Need a ready-made prayer for inner turmoil? The Serenity Prayer might scratch your itch. Ken Wilson delves into the value of ready-made prayers in the first sermon of our Lenten […]

Ken Wilson introduces our Lenten sermon series with “Ready, Set, Lent!”—how to get ready for a season of reflection and connection in the run-up to Easter. Suggested practices to sample […]

In the sixth, and final, week of our series, “The Elements of Worship,” Emily Swan takes an in-depth look at the Lord’s Prayer. Her exploration encourages us to view the […]

The fifth sermon in our series, “The Elements of Worship,” looks at the sermon. Ken Wilson examines the historical practices of readings and/or lessons in both Jewish and early Christian […]

This week Emily Swan explores the origins and power of the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” emphasizing that it’s not telling us to cover our feelings of concern […]

In the third sermon in our series, “The Elements of Worship,” Ken Wilson takes an in-depth look at the Gospel Hymn, “I Will Arise (Come Ye Sinners).” His examination cites […]

Emily Swan continues our series on The Elements of Worship, exploring the origins, symbolism, and purpose of Communion, from the Passover Meal to the Last Supper to our modern day […]

Ken Wilson opens our latest sermon series, “The Elements of Worship,” with a look at the 8th century origins, and deeper meanings of, the Sarum Prayer—one of the regular elements […]

Ken Wilson brings us the third sermon in our Advent Series, “Taking Advantage or Sharing It: An Alternative Approach to Power.” This week he looks at Philippians 3 and Paul’s […]

On the second Sunday of Advent, Emily Swan reminds us that during Advent we can actively desire hope, peace, joy, and love in the midst of darkness and despair. Our […]

Our Advent Series this year is titled, “Taking Advantage or Sharing It: An Alternative Approach to Power.” Ken Wilson begins the series with a reading from Philippians 2 and an […]

In his sermon, “On Being, in Relation to God, Sheep,” Pastor Ken Wilson reminds us to rest from our constant striving and relax into our identity as sheep in God’s […]

Pastor Emily Swan concludes our sermon series, “Understanding Our Limits: Humility as the Path to Love,” reminding us that, as Jesus followers, we are called to bear witness, not to […]

In the third sermon of our series,“Understanding Our Limits: Humility as the Path to Love,” Pastor Emily Swan draws from the life of Moses to examine how humility recognizes we […]

Pastor Ken Wilson continues our sermon series, “Understanding Our Limits: Humility as the Path to Love,” emphasizing that it’s not our heroic accomplishments, but our day-to-day contributions—the steady accumulation little […]

Pastor Emily Swan introduces our new sermon series, “Understanding Our Limits: Humility as the Path to Love,” by looking at obstacles that keep us from loving the best way we […]

Pastor Ken Wilson looks at Jacob’s wilderness experiences in Genesis while highlighting the importance of shared vulnerability (often resulting from significant personal loss) in deepening our walk with God and […]

In week 4 of our sermon series “Braving the Wilderness” (based on Brené Brown’s latest book), Pastor Emily Swan encourages us to strengthen our connection to others by showing up […]

Pastor Emily Swan teaches from John 8:1–11 while warning against setting up false dichotomies in the third week of our sermon series based on Brené Brown’s latest book “Braving the […]

Pastor Ken Wilson continues our sermon series based on research professor Brené Brown’s latest book in “Braving the Wilderness: Week 2.” This week’s message looks at the importance of setting boundaries […]

Pastor Ken Wilson introduces our annual membership sermon series focusing on community and belonging. The year’s series, “Braving the Wilderness,”is based on research professor Brené Brown’s latest book. Learn more […]

Pastor Emily Swan reminds us that we are all “fiercely wanted” at the banquet table of God, and guest speaker Brandon Carruth share his experiences of learning to see (and […]

Pastor Ken Wilson shares about his early experiences navigating the minefield of religion in search of a Christianity focused on “being loved,” rather than “being right,” in week four of […]

Guest Speaker Rachel Murr tells the story of her journey as a gay Christian, from experiencing conflict and rejection to finding acceptance and love, in the third week of our […]

Pastor Emily Swan shares from her personal experience of the Holy Spirit and the mystical aspects of Christianity in week 2 of our sermon series, “WhyChristian?” Learn more about Blue […]

Pastor Ken Wilson begins our new sermon series with an overview of the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the search for a religion-less Christianity in week 1 of […]