Sermons

“Crying Or Shaking Or Dreaming Or Breaking”

April 19, 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. “Χριστός Ανέστη!” καὶ “Καλό Πάσχα!” Christ is Risen! and Happy Easter to all our Eastern Orthodox sisters and brothers in Christ, who today are celebrating Easter Sunday. Yes, we celebrate Easter Sunday on different dates, but it is also true that…

“This Is What Easter Is All About Charlie Brown”

Easter Sunday 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. Our Jewish sisters and brothers, as they began their Passover observance the other night, asked this question “What makes this night different than all other nights?”  Well, I think it is clear we know what makes this Easter Sunday different than…

“Wilderness Waiting”

Good Friday 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. There’s a prayer I once shared with you years ago.  It is by the lyricist Keri Wehlander, and it has been coming into my mind and heart lately, so I want to share it with you again: She wrote, “This is the…

“Our Night Of Betrayal & Denial”

Maundy Thursday 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. Tonight we begin.  Tonight we enter into a three day service – the Paschal Triduum.  You will note that at the end of tonight and tomorrow night there will be no dismissal or blessing – no neat ending to the service…

“The Holiest Holy Week We Have Ever Holied”

May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. One of my favorite commentators, the Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis, posted this on her blog this week. She said, “There’s a saying about Lent that has surfaced on social media [lately]—“This is the Lentiest Lent I have ever Lented” then she added, and “this…

“Of Dry Valleys & Tombs”

March 29, 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. These are troubling times for us all.  The world, our country, our communities, and our families – we are all facing the growing concern for our health, our jobs, for those who care for others, and for our loved ones. So,…

“Born To Reveal”

March 22, 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. Lordy, the authors of this fourth gospel sure have a way with words – lots and lots of words.  Last week it was the powerful and long theological dialog between Jesus and the woman from Samaria.  Next week it will be…

“Spiritual & Religious”

March 8, 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. Well, if you are wondering where the baptismal font went, I figured it was the right size cup for my coffee this morning, but I promise to inject some caffeine into the communion wine for your convenience.  Kidding, of course, so…

“The Serpent Was Right!”

March 1, 2020: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. As I was considering our text from Genesis this morning, I remembered that a few years ago, this headline appeared on an online satirical website.  It read: “The Bible story is just a hoax. I didn’t cause the fall of man…

“Come Home”

Ash Wednesday – 2020: May God’s words alone be spoken, may God’s words alone be heard.  Amen. So, got your Lent cards and presents ready?  What about those purple lights on the roof, and the burnt palm tree in your house?  I mean, it seems like only yesterday it was Ash Wednesday last year, and…