Sermons

“Crazy Street & Goin’ Upstream”

May 22, 2019: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s alone be heard.  Amen. So good to see so many of you on this very hot weekend.  And isn’t it appropriate that our gospel reading features a pool?  I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind having one right now to dive into, right? …

“That’s Crazy!”

May 1, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. I saw a picture of a church sign somebody Tweeted– I won’t say the denomination – but it said “Pretend it’s still Easter and come to church this Sunday!”  Pretend?  Folks – we all know it is still Easter!  It always…

“Be Like Thomas”

April 24, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s be heard.  Amen. “Χριστός Ανέστη!” “Αληθώς Ανέστη” “Καλό Πάσχα!” “Christ is Risen!” “Truly [he is] risen!”  “Happy Easter!” to all our Eastern Orthodox sisters and brothers in Christ, who today are celebrating Easter Sunday.  We especially remember those who are celebrating this most Holy day…

“Let Shouts Of Holy Joy Outburst!”

Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. [Note: The initial lines in the sermon were added from the pulpit and inserted afterward] Wow!  I know there is no greater story than this: The Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed! But my heart is filled with…

“My Soul Shall Live For You”

Good Friday, April 15, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. “Why is this night different than all other nights?”  This is what our Jewish sisters and brothers are asking this first night of Passover, which this year coincides with Good Friday.  Jesus and all his disciples were Jewish, and would…

“Resting On Jesus”

Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022: 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.  And as I note each year, there will be no dismissal or blessing at the end of the services tonight and tomorrow night –…

“The Things That Make For Peace”

Palm Sunday-April 10, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. At the end of this service, we will read the passion of our Lord – and the result of it all will be a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions – from the near carnival atmosphere of the procession of the…

“Where No One Has Gone Before”

April 3, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. So, I am a Star Trek fan – I know that is no surprise to any of you.  I love the vision of Gene Rodenberry, the creator of Star Trek.  See – unlike much of the science fiction stuff today, where…

“The Parable Of The Dysfunctional Family”

March 27, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. So, today we have the gospel story in which Jesus tells the parable of what is usually titled “The Prodigal Son.”  Now, I have to say, I hated this story growing up, and perhaps some of you did too.  It just…

“I Will Be With You”

March 20, 2022: May God’s words be spoken, may God’s words be heard.  Amen. Usually, the readings we hear on Sunday are being read in churches of many denominations – Lutherans, Roman Catholics (with a few deviations), Methodists, Presbyterians, and so on – because we all read from what is called the Revised Common Lectionary…