In “God Is Doing a New Thing,” Rev. Sheryl Kinder-Pyle speaks of pastoral transition, grounding the congregation in God’s promise of renewal rather than fear. Drawing primarily from Isaiah 42, she explains the image of God’s servant—understood both as a foreshadowing of Christ and as a calling for God’s people—who is chosen, beloved, and empowered by the Spirit to bring justice to the nations. She reminds listeners that this identity belongs to all believers: before any role or title, they are children of God. Sharing her own pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, Rev. Kinder-Pyle reflects on vulnerability, trust, and rediscovering that childlike dependence on God and others. She emphasizes that God’s work of justice is carried out through servant leadership—quiet, faithful, compassionate, and persistent—never crushing the weak or ignoring the small, but steadily setting things right. In a world crying out for justice, the church is called not to give up, trusting that the Spirit walks with them. The sermon concludes with hope: God declares “new things,” assuring Hamblen Park that even in uncertainty and change, God is actively creating a new chapter filled with purpose, justice, and light.
