Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019 Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will … [Read more…]
Epiphany of the Lord, January 6, 2019 Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12 (The Message) This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called. 2 I take it that you’re familiar with the part I was given in God’s plan for including everybody. 3 I got the … [Read more…]
Sunday After Christmas, December 30, 2018 Old Testament Lesson: 1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26 Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. … [Read more…]
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2018 Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:1-20 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do … [Read more…]
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23, 2018 Old Testament Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them … [Read more…]
Isaiah 9:2-6 John 1:1-14 There was a time over twenty years ago, when I could not make sense of Christmas lights. For a couple of days in late December, 1995, every time I passed by the Christmas tree in my parents living room, I had to stop and stare at it for a few seconds … [Read more…]
Revelation 1:4-8 John 18:33-38 (Walking through the sanctuary handing out hazelnuts.) Today is Sunday, November 25, 2018, Christ the King Sunday. It is the end of the Christian year. Next Sunday—the first Sunday in Advent—will mark the beginning of the Christian New Year. Every end is also a beginning. But today we celebrate Christ’s reign … [Read more…]
James 5:13-20 Lynnie Sullivan is a big man, not just in his physical presence, but also in his personality, his opinions, his intellect, and his impact. Lynnie is the son of a small-town newspaper publisher, so he grew up in the newsroom and learned at an early age how to express his big opinions in … [Read more…]
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a There are two sides, at least, to everything. The head and tail of a coin. East and west. North and south. Inside and outside. Before and after. First and last. Greatest and least. Indeed, when we have the insight to see both sides of an issue and we can acknowledge that our … [Read more…]
James 2:1-17 We are spending the month of September thinking about generosity with the book of James as our guide. Last week’s sermon was “Generous Hands,” and we talked about generosity as “openhandedness” and God’s call to us to be openhanded with others, the poor especially. This week I invite us to think about openheartedness, … [Read more…]