The sermons of the Reverend Rick Yramategui

and others who have preached at The Chapel.

( Click here   for a page that has links to non-canonical
texts used in some of the sermons listed below. )

  • One Big Fish Tale    January 22, 2012 Jonah 1:1-18
  • Epiphany Paradox    January 8, 2012 Matthew 2:1-12

  • For Whom Has the Savior Come?    by Tom Lawson December 25, 2011 1 Peter 5:5-6
    Sirach 11:1
  • Strange Blessings    December 18, 2011 Luke 1:26-38
  • A New Age    by Rev. George Wilson November 20, 2011 Genesis 4:  1-16 -- the story of Cain and Abel
    Luke 5:  36-39
  • The Wreath of Truth    September 25, 2011 Odes of Solomon 1
  • The Myths of Carmel Valley Community Chapel    by Phyllis Edwards    September 18, 2011 Psalm 101
  • We Are All Here To Help Each Other Walk Home    by Iris Brewster    September 11, 2011 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 // 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
  • Sacred Scripture: A Living Tradition    August 28, 2011 Ode 12
  • A Life of Transformation and Renewal    August 21, 2011 Romans 12:1-13
  • A Teachable Teacher    August 14, 2011 Matthew 15:21-28 // Mark 7:24-30
  • The Sound of Gentle Stillness    August 7, 2011 I Kings 19:9-18
  • Wrestling with God    July 31, 2011 Genesis 32:22-31
  • Leaven, Weeds and Mustard Seeds    July 17, 2011 Matthew 13:24-33 // Luke 13:18-21
  • The Sower and the Seed    July 10, 2011 Matthew 13:1-22 // Mark 4:1-9 // Luke 8:4-8 // Thomas 9
    See also St James 8:2-3 and 1 Clem. 24.5
  • Ancient Songs    June 5, 2011 Psalm 150

  • Seek, Grow and Abide in Love    May 15, 2011 Ode 8
  • On the Road to Emmaus    May 8, 2011 Luke 24:13-35
  • New Life for the Earth    April 24, 2011 John 20:1-18
  • The Root of Freedom    April 17, 2011 Psalm 118:1-2,19-29 : Gospel of Phillip 83:16-84:13
  • Beyond Exile: Can These Bones Live?    April 10, 2011 Ezekiel 37:1-14
  • A Life of Fearlessness and Love    March 27, 2011 Romans 5:1-5,8-11
  • Into the Wilderness    March 13, 2011 Matthew 4:1-11 // Luke 4:1-13 // Mark 1:12-13
  • Mardi Gras    March 6, 2011 from e.e. cummings
  • Of Birds and Lilies    February 27, 2011 Matthew 6:24-34 // Luke 16:13; 12:22-13 // Q // Thomas 47:1-2; 36
  • Whole, Complete and Undivided    February 20, 2011 Matthew 5:38-48 //Luke 6:27-35 // Q // Thomas 95:1-2
  • Paul and Partnership    February 13, 2011 I Corinthians 3:1-9
  • Salt and Light    February 6, 2011 Matthew 5:1316
  • Life With The Beloved    January 30, 2011 Ode 3
  • A Light to the Nations    January 16, 2011 Isaiah 49:1-7
  • Living In The Light    January 2, 2011 John 1:1-18

  • Reflections on a Humble Birth    by Tom Lawson    December 26, 2010

  • Advent Love    December 19, 2010 Matthew 1:18-25
  • Advent Joy    December 12, 2010 Luke 1:47-55
  • Advent Hope    November 28, 2010 Isaiah 2:1-5
  • Thanksgiving    November 21, 2010 Psalm 100
  • Collaborative Eschatology    November 14, 2010 Isaiah 65:17-25
  • That Which Is In You    November 7, 2010 Gospel of Thomas 24, 67 & 70
  • Zacchaeus    October 31, 2010 Luke 19:1-9
  • Creatures of Dust    October 24, 2010 Luke 18:9-14
  • Remember    October 3, 2010 Psalm 137:1-8
  • Outside the Gate    September 26, 2010 Luke 16:19-26
  • From the Middle of an Earthquake    September 19, 2010 Luke 16:1-8a
  • A Musical Meditation    September 12, 2010 Psalm 139
  • Duty, Love and Liberation    September 5, 2010 Philemon 1-25
  • The Character of our God    August 15, 2010 Psalm 82
  • Justice: God’s New Creation    August 8, 2010 Isaiah 1:11-17
  • Consider the Love of God    August 1, 2010 Luke 12:16-20
    Thomas 63
  • The Good Portion    July 18, 2010 Luke 10:38-42
  • Use What You Have - Faith    by Rev. Paddy McEntire    July 11, 2010

  • The Roots of Faith    July 4, 2010 Galatians 6:7-18
  • Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On    by Tom Lawson    June 27, 2010 Acts 4:23-31
  • Listening:    by Ania Malkowska-Leek    June 20, 2010 Psalm 40:1-11
  • The times they are a-changin.    by George Wilson    June 13, 2010 Matthew 6:25-34
  • Restoring Life    June 6, 2010 Luke 7:11-17
  • Wisdom in an Age of Insanity    May 30, 2010 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-36
  • Spirit Poured Out    May 23, 2010 Act 2:1-21
  • The Promise of Shalom    May 9, 2010 John 14:15-30
  • Our Kinship With All Life    April 25, 2010 Walt Whitman, LEAVES OF GRASS, excerpts
  • On The Shore Again    April 11, 2010 Gospel of Peter 14
  • Easter Living    April 4, 2010 John 20:1-18
  • God is Doing a New Thing    March 21, 2010 Isaiah 43:16-21
  • A Song of Trust    February 28, 2010 Psalm 27
  • Lenten Wandering    February 21, 2010 Deuteronomy 26:1-11
  • A Celebration of Love and Friendship    February 14, 2010 Ode 3
  • Strength of Soul    February 7, 2010 Psalm 138
  • Paul’s Ode to Love    January 31, 2010 I Corinthians 13:1-13
  • A Dangerous Gospel    January 24, 2010 Luke 4:14-30
  • For the Common Good    January 17, 2010 I Corinthians 12:1,4-13
  • Jesus The Beloved:
    On Entering the Kindom of God        January 10, 2010 Mark 1:4-11
  • Wisdom for the New Year    January 3, 2010 Sirach 24:1-12

  • Appearances and Visitations    by Tom Lawson    December 27, 2009

  • Peace    December 6, 2009 Luke 3:1-6
  • Watering the Roots of Hope    November 29, 2009 Jeremiah 33:14-18
  • Community Discussion on Science and Spirituality    November 15, 2009 Job 12:7-10
  • A Generous Love    November 8, 2009 Mark 12:41-44
    Luke 21:1-4
  • Ruth and Naomi    November 1, 2009 Ruth 1:1-18
  • Nightsongs of Mystery and Wonder    October 25, 2009 Job 38 (excerpts)
  • A Feast of Poetry from     Illia Thompson, DeeDee Baronian, and Lynn Archer    October 18, 2009

  • We Are Here to Create and Love    by Iris Brewster    September 27, 2009

  • The Gospel According to Geisel    by Adrienne Meckel    June 28, 2009

  • Farewell, Angry God    by Tom Lawson    June 21, 2009

  • Spirituality and the Environmental Movement    by Daniel Fernandez, Ph.D.    June 14, 2009

  • The Vision and Poetry of St. Ephrem    May 31, 2009 Ode 40
  • The Wisdom of Sophia    by Phyllis Edwards    May 17, 2009 Proverbs 1:1-4, 20-23, 33
  • God and Gaia    April 26, 2009 Prayer of Manitongquat

  • God and Gaia    by Thea Sagen


  • EXPECTATION    by Peter Meckel    April 19, 2009 John 20:19-31
    Psalm 133
  • Risking the Terror of Resurrection    April 12, 2009 Mark 16:1-8
  • Palm-Passion Sunday    April 5, 2009 ( several scriptures )
  • Revealing    March 29, 2009 Gospel of Phillip 82:30-84:13
  • On Horses and Donkeys    by Tom Lawson    March 22, 2009 John 12:12-16
  • From Ashes to Fire    March 1, 2009 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
  • Making Joy    February 22, 2009 Psalm 100
  • Between Two Gardens    February 15, 2009 Song of Songs
  • On Solitude    February 8, 2009 Mark 1:35-38    (Luke 4:42-44)
    Hosea 2:14
  • Open to Healing    February 1, 2009 Luke 1:21-28
  • Following Jesus    January 25, 2009 Mark 1:14-20
  • God's Abiding Presence    January 18, 2009 Psalm 139:1-18
  • THEME-EPIPHANIES    by George Wilson    January 11, 2009 Genesis 1:1-5 and Mark 1:4-11
  • In Untrodden Places    January 4, 2009 Wisdom of Solomon 10:13-11:2


  • On Spiritual Responsibility    by Tom Lawson    December 28, 2008
      John 1:1-5, 9-14 (Jerusalem Bible)
  • Giving Birth to a Promise    December 21, 2008
      Luke 1:46-55
  • Gathered Together in Peace    December 7, 2008
      Isaiah 40:1-11
  • Judgment or Compassion?    November 16, 2008
      Matthew 25:31-45
  • Risk and Return    November 9, 2008
      Matthew 25:14-30
      Luke 19:12-27
  • The Great Invitation to Love    October 26, 2008
      Mark 12:28-34
      (Matthew 22:34-46; Luke 10:25-28)
      (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)
  • What the Silence Taught Me    by Tom Lawson    October 19, 2008
      Katha Upanishad
  • The Freedom to Rejoice    October 12, 2008
      Philippians 4:1-9
  • Loss and Gain in the Kindom of God    October 5, 2008
      Ecclesiastes 9:1-10
  • From Fear to Love: Men's Journey    by Fred S. Jealous    September 28, 2008

  • An Invitation to Mutual Respect    September 21, 2008
      Romans 14:19
  • A Three Part Celebration of Pastor Rick's 20 Year Ministry,
           On September 14, 2008
    Rev Edmon Martin
    Rev Wayne Robinson
    A poem by Rev George Wilson

  • The Burning Bush    August 31, 2008
      Exodus 3:1-15
  • A Teachable Teacher    August 10, 2008
      Matthew 15:21-28
  • Sinking and Saving    August 3, 2008
      Matthew 14:22-33
  • Discovering the Real Person    by Tom Lawson    July 20, 2008
      Matthew 18:3
      John 3:7
  • Dancing and Dining in God's Kindom    July 6, 2008
      Matthew 11:16-19
  • On Welcoming and Being Welcomed    June 29, 2008
      Matthew 10:40-42
    NOTES ABOUT BLACK NOTES MUSIC
    by Phyllis Edwards

  • How Good and Pleasant It Is    June 15, 2008
      Psalm 133
  • The Spirit of Love Within    June 1, 2008
      Psalm 46
  • Consider the Lilies    May 25, 2008
      Q 12:22-31
      (Matthew 6:25-33; Luke 12:22-31; Thomas 36)
  • Creation    May 18, 2008
      Genesis 1: 1-5
  • Filled with Spirit    May 11, 2008
      Ode 6
  • Imperfect Humanity    May 4, 2008
      Gospel of Mary 10
  • With an Open Heart    April 27, 2008
      Gos John 14:15-21
  • God's Farming    April 13, 2008
      Gos Philip 79:18-33
  • With Jesus on the Road to Emmaus    April 6, 2008
      Luke 24:13-31
  • The Benefit of Doubt    by Adrienne Meikel    March 30, 2008
      John 20: 19-31
  • Love Resurrects    March 23, 2008
      John 20:1-18
  • Dark Night of the Soul    March 16, 2008
      Mark 14:32-42
         Poems by
  • Illia Thompson & George Wilson
              February 24, 2008

  • Leaving Home    February 17, 2008
      Genesis 12:1-4a
  • Prayer    February 10, 2008
      Philippians 4:4-9
  • For the Love of God    February 3, 2008
      Ode 3
  • Tending the Fountain    Janurary 20, 2008
      Ode 30
  • What's in a Name?    Janurary 20, 2008
      John 1:29-42
  • Zen Buddhism and the Inner Light    by Sara Hunsaker    Janurary 13, 2008
      Matthew 5:14-16
      from Master Huang-po
  • God Manifest in the Everyday    Janurary 6, 2008
      Infancy Gospels (excerpts)
  • A Workable Vision    by Tom Lawson    December 30, 2007
      Matthew 2:7:15 (RSV)
  • Love is Born    December 23, 2007
      Isaiah 7:10-17
      Matthew 1:18-25
  • Blessed    December 16, 2007
      Luke 1: 47-55
  • That All May Freely Share    December 2, 2007
      Isaiah 2:1-5
  • The Grace of Coming Home    November 25, 2007
      Psalm 126
  • The Wisdom of The Child    November 18, 2007
      Apocalypse of Paul
      Gospel of Thomas 4
  • Caring For Community    November 11, 2007
      Luke 12:16-20
  • Zacchaeus    November 4, 2007
      Luke 19:1-9
  • On Positivity    by Tom Lawson    October 21, 2007
      Philippians 4:10-13
  • From a Michael Lerner book, a reading by Pastor Rick    October 14, 2007


  • What is Righteousness?    by Jim Sivo    July 29, 2007
      Jeremiah 33:14-16
  • Mary and Martha: From Roles to Choices    July 22, 2007
      Luke 10:38-42
  • Toward a More Compassionate Society    July 15, 2007
      Luke 10:25-37
  • Rejoice in the Kindom    July 8, 2007
      Luke 10:1-20
  • The Mantle of Discipleship    July 1, 2007
      2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14
  • Wisdom, Our Hidden Treasure    June 10, 2007
      Silvanus 106:22-107:4; 109:11-25
  • Jesus' Inclusive Table    June 3, 2007
      Thomas 64
  • Lydia’s Story    May 13, 2007
      Acts 16:9-15
  • The Heart of Praise    May 6, 2007
      Psalm 148
  • Lydia’s Story    April 29, 2007
      Acts 16:9-15
  • Ritual and Belief    by Phyllis Edwards    April 17, 2007
      James 2: 17-23, 26
  • Thirsting    March 11, 2007
      Psalm 63
  • A Lent of Relationship    by Tom Lawson    March 4, 2007
      Hebrews 7:13-28; 8:1-3
  • Transfigured Existence    February 18, 2007
      Luke 9:28-36
  • Blessed Seeds of the Savior    Sunday, February 11, 2007
      Excerpts from the Gospel of the Savior
  • The Worship and Witness of The Didache Community    Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Feburary 4, 2007
      Didache, excerpts
  • Many Gifts, One Spirit    Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, January 28, 2007
      I Cor 12:12-31
  • Glitter and Grit    by Tom Lawson    December 31, 2006
      Matthew 2:1-12
  • THEME:  Poetry and Questions    by George Wilson October 20, 2006
      Job 38
  • Sabbatical Reflections: One Year Later    October 15, 2006
      Ode 16

  • Does God Want Us to be Rich?    October 8, 2006
      Luke 6:1-36
  • Gathered ‘Round a Common Table    October 1, 2006
      Didache 9 (excerpt)
  • Journey into Parable: The New Exodus    September 17, 2006
      Luke 17:20-21
  • A Light Unto My Path    September 3, 2006
      Psalm 119 (excerpts)
  • Solomon and the Way of Wisdom    August 27, 2006
      I Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
  • A Miracle to Share    August 20, 2006
      Luke 12:16-20
      Gospel of Thomas 63
  • Jesus and Buddha Meet on the Road    August 13, 2006
      The Scriptures were selections from the sayings of Jesus and The Buddha taken from "Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings", edited by Marcus Borg.
  • Die to Live    by Tom Lawson    July 23, 2006
      John 12: 23-24
      Luke 17:33
  • The Miracle of God’s Activity    July 2, 2006
      Mark 4:1-9
      Gospel Thomas 9
  • Entrusting Property ( notes )    June 18, 2006
      Matthew 25:14-30
      Luke 19:12-27
  • A Savior for Slaves    June 11, 2006
      Ode 17
      Ode 25
  • A Celebration of Spirit    June 4, 2006
      Ez 37:1-14
      Ode 6
  • Two Visions of Reality    by Tom Lawson    May 28, 2006
      Selections from the Bhagavad Gita
  • Parables of Jesus, #12 Equality    May 21, 2006
      Matthew 20:1-15
  • What Kind of Kindom?    May 7, 2006
      Mark 4:26-29
  • Jesus’ Unconventional Family    April 30, 2006
      Mark 3:20-21,31-34

      (Luke 8:19-21; Matthew 12:46-50; Thomas 99:1-3)
  • Mary's Resurrection    April 16, 2006
      John 20:1-18
  • God’s Dinner Party    April 9, 2006
      Luke 14:16-23
  • The Unforgiving Ruler    March 12, 2006
      Matthew 18:23-34
  • Mardi Gras Sunday    Feburary 26, 2006
      Psalms 100
  • Parable series, sermon #5: A Good Samaritan Crosses the Line    Feburary 12, 2006
      Luke 10:30-35
  • THEME:  WHAT ARE WE HEARING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT    by George Wilson Feburary 5, 2006
      Ist Samuel 3: 1-18; Isaiah 40: 21-31
  • Divine Emptiness    January 22, 2006
      Thomas 97
  • The Mustard Tree:    Mythical Botany in the Kindom of God    January 15, 2006
      Lk 13:18-19
  • Decomposing an Empire:    Moral Corruption and the Kindom of God    January 8, 2006
      Lk 13:20-21
  • No Separation    January 1, 2006
      Philippians 2:5-8
      Matthew 6:33-34
      Matthew 13: 45-46
      Luke 11:35-36
  • Click here   to see the original of the story from SF Chronicle
    Pastor Rick used on Christmas Eve,   December 24, 2005

  • A Christmas Letter To Jerry Falwell    December 18, 2005
      Ode 35
      Lk 1:26-38
  • A Divinely Human Advent    November 27, 2005
      Ode 14
      Infant James 11-12
  • STEWARDSHIP AS BLESSING    November 6, 2005
      Psalm 147
  • THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL    October 30, 2005

  • INTELLIGENT DESIGN    October 9, 2005
      Genesis 1
  • REVIVING THE SOUL    October 2, 2005
      Psalm 19
  • THE Q COMMUNITY    SEPTEMBER 18, 2005
      Q 9:57-62
  • SUFFERING TOGETHER    September 4, 2005
      I Corinthians 12:20-26
  • THE CANAANITE RABBI    August 14, 2005
      Matthew 15:21-28
  • THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDES    July 31, 2005
      Matthew 14:13-21
  • DRINKING DEEPLY FROM AN ANCIENT WELL    July 24, 2005
      Ode 30
  • PENTECOST AND THE OCEAN    by George Wilson May 15, 2005
      Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104: 24-34
  • MOTHERS DAY    by George Wilson May 8, 2005
      Gospel of Mary 10, SV
  • THE TEN COMMANDMENTS REVISITED    by George Wilson April 24, 2005
      Exodus: 20:1-17
  • ENOUGH    by George Wilson April 17, 2005
      Psalm 23
      Acts 2:42-47
  • He was known in the breaking of the bread.    by George Wilson April 10, 2005
      Luke 24: 13-35
  • Light and Darkness    by George Wilson April 3, 2005
      Genesis 1:1-5
      Gospel of Philip 53:14-23
      John 21: 1-14
  • Rebirth: Journey of the Soul    February 20, 2005
      Psalm 121
      John 3:1-17
  • Uniting the Separated    February 13, 2005
      Gospel of Philip 67:27-35, 70:13-17
  • Paul and Thecla    Janurary 30, 2005
      Acts of Thecla 40-43
  • A Future That Touches the Past   by Tom Lawson    Janurary 4, 2005

  • The Five Women in Jesus’ Past    December 5, 2004
      Matthew 1:1-17
  • Rescuing Jesus from Christianity    November 21, 2004
      Q Gospel 17: 3-4, 6, 22-23
  • MAKING NEW WINESKINS    November 14, 2004
      Mark 2:21-22
  • The Searching, the Finding, and the Rejoicing    Sepember 18, 2004
      Luke 15:1-10
  • BEATING THE DRUMS OF PEACE    Feburary 16, 2002
      Isaiah 32: 16-, 11-18
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