In the scriptures themselves – isn’t Jesus referred to as being “a drunkard” and as “a glutton?” Wasn’t that the actual claim – that some individuals made against him? John the Baptizer came — and he abstained from everything. He was a goody-two-sandals. He distanced himself from cities and from people. His diet was based […]
Sermons
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Note to self: Do not pass out “this wedding planner’s card” to anyone! The poor “red-faced-wedding-planner” probably would have never been paid for this one – were it not for Jesus. It was a potential “social gaff.” Everyone would have heard about it. Why, he might never work again! He might even have to relocate! […]
The Baptism of Our Lord
I love the Baptism of Our Lord…for it provides me with the opportunity to talk to you about – what has been called “the first sacrament.” Some think of this – as just a “liturgical thing.” I see it as being “SO MUCH MORE.” It is an “important celebration of the entire church.” Sure the […]
Jesus’ Baptism
Approximately 30 years after the destruction of the second Death Star, Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi, has disappeared. The First Order has risen from the fallen Galactic Empire and seeks to eliminate Luke and the Republic. The Resistance, backed by the Republic and led by Luke’s twin sister, General Leia Organa, opposes them while searching […]
Epiphany
The Feast of the Epiphany! We (as a church body) seldom get to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, because it occurs every year on January the 6th. It is not a moveable feast or worship date. This year, it falls on a day when we worship together, so we actually get to celebrate it! […]
Most of us do not realize it, but there are two sets of Christmas stories in the gospels. (Just like there are two sets of creation stories and two sets of flood account stories…) One set of Christmas stories is from the Gospels of “Matthew and Luke” and the other from – the Gospel of […]
Christmas I am thankful you are here. You are a gift. I am thankful you came. Christmas morning is special. It is a morning like none other. Christmas is a favorite. There has always been a tranquility about this morning, a peacefulness, a feeling of warmth and of blessing. But be aware not everybody celebrates […]
This is good. It is like “a favorite Sunday School story.” It is a simple story, down to earth, mundane, and natural. Almost to be expected… A lost child. Panicked parents. A frantic search. (“Have you seen?”) …missing signs… stapled to telephone poles, milk cartons, Amber alerts, and the whole nine yards. The gospel that […]
Christmas I Again, morph speed… Time machine twelve years fast forward… Engage! Just last night I was talking about “how slow” the church sometimes moves, and at other times, we don’t even have time to stop and catch our breaths. Another case in point… Apparently we have no time to waste. The sweet little baby […]
St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr It is interesting… Sometimes the church moves so slowly that it seems it takes “forever” for it to act… And at other times, it moves so swiftly it is difficult to catch your breath and to even be aware of your bearings… I could have sworn that a little more […]