Calvary Presbyterian Church San Francisco

"Gleaning Grace" - Ruth 2:1–23

Who is the hero in a story of two women on the margin, looking to survive, praying for a break? What does the story of Ruth and Naomi teach us about the way we care for each other, about the way we structure our society? Where is grace to be gleaned in a story of famine? Rev. Marci A. Glass delivered this sermon on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The scripture reading was from Ruth 2:1–23.

"Famine, Foreign Lands, and Family" - Ruth 1:1–1:22

We begin a four-week series on the book of Ruth. In this first chapter we hear about how famine causes Naomi and her family to migrate to the land of Moab. There, they meet Ruth, who will forever change their lives as well as the very lineage of Christ. This story of personal loss and loyalty shows us how to welcome the stranger and care for the marginalized. Ruth is one of two books in the Bible named after a woman, and as the quote goes: well-behaved women seldom make history! The sermon was delivered by Rev. Joann Lee on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The scripture reading was from Ruth 1:1–1:22.

"Found in Translation" - Philippians 4:4–7

God listens to our prayers. Our words? Not so much. God knows what's in our hearts, despite the words we choose. What if we, like the Holy Spirit, were to listen to what's underneath the noise? Perhaps then we could discover true common ground. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Victor A. Floyd on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The scripture reading was from Philippians 4:4–7.

"Empty" - Philippians 2:1–13

Our passage from the Letter to the Philippians contains what is called the Christ Hymn. Perhaps they used it in worship. It is very poetic language about who Jesus was. Jesus is described in this hymn as someone who 'emptied himself'. We're told in this passage to 'let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus', which means we need to consider what it means to empty ourselves. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Marci A. Glass on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The scripture reading was from Philippians 2:1–13 .

"Yes And I Will Rejoice" - Philippians 1:1–18a

The apostle Paul experienced hardships for his preaching. He was imprisoned, kicked out of towns, and suffered harm. He was willing to talk about his struggles, but he never stopped there. It can be easy to see our struggles as the conclusion of a story. It can be more challenging to see them as a part of a bigger story. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds us to look for the bigger thread that weaves our stories together, and, in the midst of his suffering, he makes the decision to rejoice. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Marci A. Glass on Sunday, May 10, 2026. The scripture reading was from Philippians 1:1–18a.