In this special Sunday Sermon, we celebrate a monumental milestone: the 150th anniversary of Oceanside Sanctuary Church. Joining us to mark this occasion is guest speaker Yvonne Gilmore, who brings a powerful message on the legacy of "spiritual audacity" and the enduring power of community.

Drawing from Psalm 46, Yvonne explores the concept of God not just as a static refuge, but as an active force that "stirs the oceans" and transforms landscapes. She weaves together the ancient wisdom of the Sons of Korah with the modern resilience found in Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World—reminding us that true hope is a practice we perform even in the midst of global turmoil.

Listen in as we reflect on what it means to sing songs that hold true on both our best and worst days, and how a community deeply rooted in love can weather any storm to bring about a different manner of weather for the world.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Celebrating 150 Years: A look back at the "spiritual audacity" that has sustained the community for a century and a half.

• The Power of Psalm 46: Understanding God as a "very present help" who calls us to be still and know—not to withdraw, but to witness the shifting tides of justice.

• Songs of Resilience: How Louis Armstrong’s masterpiece, recorded during a time of national unrest, mirrors the call to see beauty and grace despite chaos.

• Community as Refuge: Why our "best songs" are the ones we can sing together through both triumph and tragedy.

• Poetic Wisdom: Insights from Tracy K. Smith’s poem An Old Story on how our collective singing can transform the atmosphere around us.

Links

• Support the Work: oceansidesanctuary.org