The Bible commands us to entertain strangers (Hebrews 13:2) for they might be angels, but what does that mean in a place like New York City where almost everyone is a stranger?!? Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza offers his thoughts in "Angels at the Table" based on Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 and Luke 14:1; 7-14.

"Angels At The Table" by Rev. Dr. Michael S. Piazza

As I prepared for the fall and the start of the programming year, I wanted to begin with a sermon series that would encourage us individually, and as a church, to expand our souls and enlarge our faith. I thought one way to do that is to encourage us to discover our own superpowers and the superhero within us all.

"More Than You Know" by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

Join The Justice League by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza continued his sermon series "Discovering Your Superpower" with a lesson about tenacity. A young Steve Rogers said, "I can do this all day," but he was wrong, at least at first. With or without the "super soldier serum" that turned him into Captain America,  Rogers had to learn that perseverance was a key to moving from can't to can. It's a lesson we also need to learn as we struggle to find the unique gifts that will make us the superheroes the world needs.

I Can Do This All Day by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

This month, we have been using superheroes as our modern parables in the hope that we might uncover our own superpowers and become the superhero of God’s dreams. I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about some of the superheroes we’ve talked about, until today’s. Somehow, my household became a bit obsessed with the television series “The Flash,” which premiered five years ago.

That may be because Grant Gustin, the actor playing Barry Allen, aka the Flash, is cute and looks good in his red suit, but I think what has held my attention is the Flash is a superhero who struggles with the limits and consequences of his power. As the “fastest man alive,” he has to work not to outrun the foundational values of his life. 
Family is one of those values, and the beautiful thing about this series is family isn’t about only blood relations. Barry was raised by an African American police officer, and his team of misfits at Star Labs all become his family, in the best sense of that word.

"Living With Flash" by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman, first appeared in a DC Comic book in October 1941. The character was created by William Marston, a psychologist already famous for inventing the polygraph. He became obsessed with the idea of a new kind of superhero, one who would triumph not with fists or firepower, but with love. "Fine," said his psychologist wife, Elizabeth. "But you must make her a woman."

"Wonder Women" by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

The fictional superheroes so popular in comic books, movies, and TV series are women and men who have an extraordinary power that we mere mortals seem to lack. We tend to forget, however, that their superpower would be pretty meaningless if it was not coupled with very human traits like courage, and compassion, and a sense of justice. Having a superpower and keeping it to yourself, or using it for your own benefit, won’t make you a superhero, which may be why there are so few of them. 

You and I already should have the elements in our lives that make us capable of being superheroes. A superhero’s special power may be the easy part. What’s tough is developing the personal characteristics to make the superpower work.

"A Superpower We ALL Need" by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

During the past several weeks, we have been looking at various fictional superheroes as a way to unleash the superhero in us all. As we end this series today, I want to be sure that you are clear that you were created to be a superhero and that you have been given superpowers. 

Oh, it probably isn’t the ability to fly or extraordinary strength, and you probably can’t shoot webs from your wrists or deflect bullets with your bracelets. Still, I’m convinced that buried deep inside each of us is a power that makes us unique if we can identify it, claim it, and practice it until it makes us super. Perhaps the greatest challenge to being empowered is our incapacity to believe there is a hero hidden within us. The Bible is filled with men and women who live heroic lives, yet it is clear all God’s children are gifted with superpowers, which the New Testament refers to as “spiritual gifts.”

"What Is YOUR Superpower?" by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

Seeking to leverage Jesus’ popularity to support their preconceived ideas about eternity, the Sadducees posed a trick question to use Jesus to disprove the concept of resurrection. In that day, it was the tradition that, if a man died without leaving any heirs, his brother was supposed to marry, or at least support, his widow. That seems really strange to us, but, in that sexist culture, women couldn’t inherit businesses or property. Without an heir, it all would have gone to the man’s oldest brother. Having that brother then marry the widow was intended to protect women from becoming homeless or destitute, without giving them equality or even full humanity. 

That is not unlike our current system of paying women only two-thirds of what men are paid. We keep them from being homeless or destitute without giving them equality or even full humanity.

"One Bride For Seven Brothers" by Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, YOU’RE WELCOME HERE!” 

At Broadway, that is not just a tag line. We really mean it. And we invite you to come and experience it for yourself any Sunday at 5:00 pm.

Broadway is one of New York City’s historic churches, on the cutting edge of social justice and witness since 1840. We believe that a living faith in Jesus Christ demands an engagement with the world. In the past, this has meant things like a national leadership role in the pre-Civil War Abolition Movement, active engagement in the struggle for women’s suffrage and the ordination of women, and lively involvement in the Civil Rights movement. We are proud of our history, but not chained to it. Our faith calls us ever forward. 

Today, God’s Spirit calls us to work for the rights and dignity of all people, believing that God’s image is reflected in human variety. One of the ways we express this belief is that since 1991 we have been an Open and Affirming Parish, welcoming gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons into full participation, leadership and ministry in the congregation.

Broadway Church is a lively, loving, and growing community. And there is a place here for you!

Broadway United Church of Christ

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