Thank you to the Rev. Charles Hoffacker for today’s sermon thoughts. Today’s gospel presents us with Jesus’ first act of public ministry, described for us in Luke’s gospel. Following his river baptism and his long wilderness fast and temptation, Jesus returns to his home country, Galilee. Reports about him have been spreading through the population,…
Now THAT is a lot of wine! Between 120 and 180 gallons of wine. And you’ll notice that they were not earthenware containers typically used for holding wine, but rather stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification – the washing of hands and vessels. Let’s take a step back and look at the…
“Thus says the Lord: … Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. … I will be with you… For I am the Lord your God… I love you. … Do not fear, for I am with you.” (portions of Isaiah 43:1-7) You probably are afraid…
The Episcopal Church is a very restrictive church when it comes to celebrations that happen on Sunday. On page 15 of the Book of Common Prayer (YES! There are pages before 355 in the BCP!), The Epiphany is described as a “Principal Feast” held on January 6. The BCP states “These feasts take precedence of…
Today’s prayer of approach acknowledges our fleeting nature with so many questions that are unanswered. So many questions that don’t have easy answers. We ask why we hurt. We ask why some of us are better off than others and society does not provide for the less fortunate. We ask why people use their power…
The inspiration for our Advent theme came from the angels’ message in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” This phrase is an instruction God gave to the people throughout their history, and it’s a message God continues to give to us today. We were invited to explore what…
While we have been focused on the angels’ instructions in the first two chapters of Luke, God has told us many times “Do not be afraid!” In the Gospel of John, we hear, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (Jn 14:27). God continues to instruct us not to fear…
We continue to hear the angels’ message from the first two chapters of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” God told the people to trust and not to be afraid throughout their history, and God continues to tell us that today. Let us learn to listen to God’s word. Joy is something we immediately connect with…
As you have already heard, the inspiration for this year’s Advent theme comes from the angels’ message in the first two chapters of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” It’s an instruction that God gave to the people throughout their history, and it’s a message that God continues to give us today. Regardless of our ability…
The inspiration for this year’s Advent theme comes from the angels’ message in the first two chapters of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” It’s an instruction that God gave to the people throughout their history, and it’s a message that God continues to give us today. We may not listen, but the instruction is still…
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? The Book of Common Prayer, p. 305 Today’s sermon needs a nod to Bruce Epperly. Today’s scriptures invite us to consider God’s relationship to politics…
And so, on the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, we bid goodbye to our year with the Gospel of Mark. (There is one more Sunday in the year, but the Gospel for “The Reign of Christ” Sunday will be John.) The text is Mark 13:1-8 — which is just the beginning of Jesus’ discussion of things…
