By Pastor Tracey Leslie
Scripture: Judges, chapters 13-16

At Trinity we believe in the power of narrative, of stories.  Our once monthly outreach, Fusion, focuses on fusing or connecting the bible story with our own personal stories.  At our September Fusion, Morris was our storyteller and he reminded us, among other things, that the ways in which our stories connect, evolve, and are interpreted over time has a significant impact on us as individuals and communities. 
For those of you who are traditionalists, next week I will return to our customary worship format in which a few verses of scripture are read and then expounded upon in the morning message.  But this morning, like the prior three Sundays, I’ll be telling the bible story.  We often don’t consider the fact that many stories of our Old Testament circulated orally for centuries before they were put into written form.  And, as they were told, like the stories within our lives, they evolved, influenced and impacted by how the faith community understood and interpreted their experiences.  
This morning I’m wrapping up this month’s focus on Hebrew bible stories with heroic characters and I’m preaching on Samson.  Now, I have never preached – nor have I ever heard preached – a sermon on Samson.  So, some background is necessary.  Let’s start with a little audience participation.  What do you know about Samson?

By Pastor Tracey Leslie
Scripture:  from 1 Samuel 17

This week I’m continuing my sermon series on popular stories and characters from the Hebrew Scriptures; characters we might define as heroes.  Among those I’ve preached on so far, none can compare to the fame of David. 
The arch of David’s life is pretty remarkable; starting out a humble shepherd boy, the baby of his family, he becomes a warrior and military hero and, in time, King over all twelve tribes of Israel.  He’s Israel’s most famous king; but he’s not without his faults.  He commits adultery and orders the death of a member of his own army to cover up his affair.  And his family life was always in a shambles.  His fathering skills would have earned him a C at best.  He’s an ancient illustration of the timeless phenomenon of people being crushed beneath the weight of fame and success.  For sure, David’s best days are those youthful years before he bore the heavy weight of the crown.  Those were the years when David achieved the big things we expect of heroes. 
This morning we are looking at a story from those early years, the story of David and the Philistine giant, Goliath.  As I’ve done over the past couple of Sundays, rather than reading a few short verses of scripture, I’ll be telling the story of David and Goliath, which encompasses the entire 17th chapter of 1st Samuel.

By Pastor Tracey Leslie
Scripture:  the Book of Esther

​This morning I am continuing this current sermon series, looking at Hebrew bible stories and characters that are well-known and heroic.  Today, we have – not a hero – but a heroine.  Like last week, in order to provide a better context and foundation for the morning message, rather than reading a few verses of the story, I’ll be summarizing the whole story… much like I do when I tell the bible story at our monthly Fusions.
 
The Story of Esther opens in the court of the Persian King Ahasuerus.  He is throwing a party for his officials and advisors and, as the party progresses and he becomes drunk, he sends for his queen – who is elsewhere entertaining the ladies in a more proper lady's fashion, we assume.  However, Queen Vashti denies the king's request and refuses to appear.  The king becomes enraged and consults his advisors about what he should do.  They remind him that chaos in the palace will result in chaos throughout the empire.  So Vashti should be properly and promptly punished.  And she is.  She is banished and a royal decree is sent out throughout the kingdom that "each man should be master of his own house."