FOREFRONT CHURCH - Sundays

The Body Shaming

The Body Shaming

As we continue our Dear Paul, Sermon Series, Rev. Venida invites us to imagine a world where body shaming does not exist. Where we are free to move and make decisions about our bodies and lives without being hindered by others’ impressions or opinions of us. Where we are able to use our authentic voices, minds, and creativity to decolonize and free our bodies from self-sabotage and everything restricting us from experiencing liberation. A world where we truly love ourselves and others.

This sermon examines body image oppression, Scripture which may have led us here, and how we can break free of the chains, heal, and reclaim our bodies. What a world!

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchJuly 6, 2025body, shame, healing, trauma, reclaim

Excluding Queer Folks?

Excluding Queer Folks?

Forefront continued our series, Dear Paul: What’s Up with Excluding Queer Folks. Preaching Bootcamper, Jaim Zimmerman-Kent shared a powerful journey about what happens when your heart's truth clashes with what you've been taught. He reveals how his own path led him to better access peace and self-acceptance by rethinking everything he once knew.

Jaim Zimmerman-KentForefront ChurchJune 29, 2025closets, authenticity, faith, freedom, acceptance

Slavery?

Slavery?

Mary Obasi wrestles with Paul's writings on slavery—he wrote “there is no slave nor free in Christ”—but his words were used to justify slavery. Our sermon this week wrestles with Philemon, systems of control, and what it means to live like we’ve got siblings.

Mary ObasiForefront ChurchJune 22, 2025You'veGotSiblings, Philemon, LiberationTheology, QueerTheology, BreakTheChains, FaithInAction

Us vs. Them?

Us vs. Them?

Jesus reveals and awakens us to radical visions of community. In the context of the Roman Empire, Jesus’s radical visions of community call his followers into conflict with the status quo. Preaching Bootcamper Em Slezak shows us how these awakenings push us to clarify, reconcile, and redefine kinship.

Em SlezakForefront ChurchJune 15, 2025Paul, Inclusion

See Yourself In the Text | Rev. Ben Dubow

See Yourself In the Text | Rev. Ben Dubow

This Sunday marks a powerful collision of Pentecost, Shavuot, and Pride! Rev. Ben Dubow will lead us through Acts 8:26-39, exploring the Ethiopian Eunuch's story—a powerful symbol of radical inclusion.

In our series "Talk Bible to Me," we are discovering that seeing ourselves in the text reveals God's unconditional love for all identities. Whether LGBTQIA+ or anyone feeling marginalized, Jesus' example challenges us to erase divisions and embrace radical inclusion. Let's continue to find ourselves in the story and live out Christ's love!

Ben DubowForefront ChurchJune 8, 2025Pentecost, Shavuot, PrideMonth, LGBTQ, Radical-Inclusion

Why Leviticus? | Jonathan Williams (he/him)

Why Leviticus? | Jonathan Williams (he/him)

Leviticus is an odd book. It's simultaneously boring and filled with seemingly barbaric actions that we don't ascribe to today. But Leviticus is a super progressive book and is a blueprint for Forefront's continued mission and vision.

Jonathan WilliamsForefront ChurchJune 1, 2025Leviticus, badgers, queer, christian, progressive

What About All that Wrath? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)

What About All that Wrath? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)

Rev. Venida invites us to make another stop along the Talk Bible to Me sermon series journey. This time with a focus on the Bible and wrath.

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchMay 25, 2025bible, wrath, love, inclusion, mercy

Is the Bible Authoritative, Inspired or Inerrant? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)

Is the Bible Authoritative, Inspired or Inerrant? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)

Rev. Venida continues the Talk Bible to Me Sermon Series in true Forefront fashion—by asking questions. She will delve into questions that many people have pondered and debated throughout generations: “Is the Bible Authoritative, Inspired or Inerrant?”

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchMay 18, 2025bible, authoritative, inspired, Inerrant, interpretation

Mothering New Futures | Rev. Mira Sawlani (she/her)

Mothering New Futures | Rev. Mira Sawlani (she/her)

On Mother’s Day, Rev. Mira Sawlani flips the switch on mothering as she shares “Mothering New Futures.” In a world that threatens to destroy, mothering is sacred, justice-centered work. Inspired by Revelation 21:5—See, I am making all things new—this sermon calls the Church to be a womb for liberation, a midwife for hope, and a force for making all things new. Join us as we honor not only mothers but all who mother—those who nurture life, resist injustice, and co-create new futures with God.

Mira SawlaniForefront ChurchMay 11, 2025mothersday, newfutures, faithinaction, justice

How Did We Get the Bible and How Do We Understand It? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)

How Did We Get the Bible and How Do We Understand It? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)

Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins (she/her)begins our new Talk Bible to Me sermon series with, “How Did We Get the Bible and How Do We Understand It?” She invites us to re-engage with this sacred text being open to its diverse interpretations and varied perspectives. Begin the journey with us as we consider how we might deepen our understanding and appreciation of the Bible's teachings.

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchMay 4, 2025bible, reconstruction, talkbibletome

The Book of Amos: A Defiant Hope | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

The Book of Amos: A Defiant Hope | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

Rev. Venida closes out the Book of Amos sermon series encouraging us to embrace A Defiant Hope.

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchAugust 25, 2024suffering, grace, mercy, justice

The Book of Amos: Mercy is illogical | Kai Ngu

The Book of Amos: Mercy is illogical | Kai Ngu

Inspired by Amos, Kai Ngu gives a sermon on the age-old question, “Why do bad things happen?” Between the options of “chaos” (bad things just happen without a reason) or “purpose” (bad things happen for a reason), Kai proposes an additional way: mercy, or grace, as a good thing that happens without reason.

Kai NguForefront ChurchAugust 18, 2024suffering, grace, mercy, justice

The Book of Amos: How the Heck Did I Get Here? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

The Book of Amos: How the Heck Did I Get Here? | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

Rev. Venida continues the Book of Amos sermon series looking at how shifts and changes in our life can ultimately lead us where we are supposed to be as we use our God-given power to create change.

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchAugust 11, 2024Amos, justice, prophet, prophetic voice

The Book of Amos: Let Justice Roll Like a River | Jonathan Williams

The Book of Amos: Let Justice Roll Like a River | Jonathan Williams

Jonathan Williams challenges our notion of Christianity. Is the way we worship really what God intends? Or are we complicit in a system of power that moves away from God and embraces an oppressive religious system?

Jonathan WilliamsForefront ChurchAugust 4, 2024justice, inclusion, 2024 Election, postevangelical, affirming

Lift Every Voice: Neurodivergent Voices | Nytasha Obasi

Lift Every Voice: Neurodivergent Voices | Nytasha Obasi

Nytasha shares about how not only are our bodies created differently, but also our brains and personalities too -- and how seeing that our diversity in brains and personalities -- is a gift from God.

Nytasha ObasiForefront ChurchJuly 28, 2024neurodivergence, neurodivergent, diversity, differences

Lift Every Voice: Multiple Traditions

Lift Every Voice: Multiple Traditions

A panel of congregants — share their experiences and interests in exploring multiple traditions (e.g. faiths, cultures), alongside their progressive Christianity, including Hinduism, Haitian Vodou, Judaism, Buddhism, Chinese ancestral rites, as well as indigenous, animistic practices. Can we hold multiplicity? Why do we want to do so? What tensions, strengths, and questions emerge?

Forefront ChurchJuly 21, 2024Interreligion, multifaith, pluralism

Lift Every Voice: Theology You Can Use | Rev. Dr. Marsha E. Williams

Lift Every Voice: Theology You Can Use | Rev. Dr. Marsha E. Williams

Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Marsha E. Williams continues our Lift Every Voice series taking a look at Scripture and sharing a theology we can use.

Marsha E. WilliamsForefront ChurchJuly 14, 2024

Lift Every Voice: Power to the People | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

Lift Every Voice: Power to the People | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

Sometimes we feel like we are strangers in our own home. Like we don’t belong. Sometimes we feel depleted and lack the strength to advocate for ourselves and others because of the dominant powers and systemic barriers all around us. Rev. Venida reminds us that we all belong and helps us consider how we can give Power to the People as we begin our Lift Every Voice sermon series.

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchJuly 7, 2024belonging, inclusion, power to the people

Story of the Songs: Hype Me Up! | Theon Freeman

Story of the Songs: Hype Me Up! | Theon Freeman

The human experience is filled with moments that ask us to rise to the occasion and be exactly who we are divinely created to be… but it’s hard! In these moments, how do you muster the strength and courage to move on? How do you remember that you are uniquely made by the omnipotent source of creation? ENTER, THE HYPE SONG! Join me this Sunday as we explore how the Bible reminds us, exactly who we are, time and time again!

Theon FreemanForefront ChurchJune 30, 2024song, story, authenticity, vulnerability, unique

Story of the Songs: When God Made You | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

Story of the Songs: When God Made You | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins

Rev. Venida celebrates Children's Day with a reading of When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner. This book reminds children that they are deeply loved, and that they each have been created with unique gifts that fit into God's divine plan.

Venida Rodman JenkinsForefront ChurchJune 23, 2024song, story, childrens sunday, when god made you, made in the image of god