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…
You all know me well enough to know that I am very careful not to cross a line in the pulpit. I don’t preach political sermons, and I ask you to think about that as I wade through the following muck. It might sound political, but if you listen carefully, you don’t hear politics –…
The Wisdom of Solomon is an infrequent visitor to the lectionary, but chapter 3 has etched its way into our liturgical life. In the Burial Rite of the Book of Common Prayer, we are invited to pray: In the midst of life we are in death; from whom can we seek help? From you alone,…
Every third Saturday of the month (like last week), when our monthly service of healing rolls around, I have to admit that I am reminded of a story that I once heard. I’m going to relay that story now, and I promise, I will tie it to today’s readings. The storyteller says: My father and…
Who will you serve? I don’t know if you were uneasy when I asked that or you let it slip over you quickly enough not to notice how much it runs against our culture. So let me ask it again: Who will you serve? Our culture – our humanity – tends to prize freedom. Accomplishment….
