Sermons on Faith
But what does it mean??
Readings: Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 As I was reading about our parable in preparation for preaching this morning, the opening line of the first book I read was, “None of the parables of Jesus has baffled interpreters quite like the story of the dishonest steward.”* Great. That’s exactly what I want to hear as I’m just…
Given to Us
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20 We made it! We are here, at Christmas Eve. Even if you barely made it here, even if you still have a million things to do, you made it. We are worshipping, and safe, and able to enjoy the music and the people, no matter what went wrong earlier today or this week or this year. This last burst of preparations, and worry,…
Faithful and Rejoicing
Scripture: Romans 8:19-27, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Luke 2:21-40 In honor of the new Star Wars movie that came out this weekend, I think it’s only reasonable to start this sermon with a story from Star Wars. Don’t worry–no spoilers! This is all old news. The Star Wars: Episode III movie finishes the tale of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side. He gives…
Look at that Mountain
Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, Psalm 37:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 I’d like to begin this morning by telling a story. It’s one that I pulled out a few weeks ago for a sermon, and it has been both stuck in my head and giving me hope ever since. This story is from Sarah Bessey, an author, who has done some ministry in Haiti. Pastor Gaetan and his…
Waiting and Preparing
Lectionary: Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 Waiting and Preparing This past week I read a book called Front Desk by Kelly Yang, which is about the struggles of a Chinese family who emigrated to the US. They work cleaning a motel, struggle to learn English, and barely scrape by, after leaving their families, language, and good jobs in…
On our Travels
Lectionary Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 Let us pray: God, come among us this morning. Bless our hearing of your Word, that it might open our hearts to hear you speak to us this morning. And may the words of my mouth and the meditations on all our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. On…
Full of Acts of Love
Lectionary: Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 Let us pray: O Lord, fill us with your Word this morning, that hearing it may fill our ears and our hearts and our bodies with your truth. And may the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. In your holy name we pray, Amen.…
Letting Go of Reluctance
Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 Let us pray: Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, we look to you. Be with us this morning; guide us and speak to us. Show us your way and give us strength to follow you. In your name we pray, Amen. Letting Go of Reluctance Saul had it all, you know? His family observed the law faithfully,…
What is to prevent…
Lectionary texts: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 Let us pray: Lord God, proclaim to us your good news. Speak truth to us today. Give us your Spirit, that we may have guidance wherever you send us. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen. I once went to school with a particular group of people. They were the popular group, in every…
Foolishness (Mar. 4)
Lectionary texts: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, and John 2:13-22. Let us pray: Please bless your word, O God, and fill our hearing with understanding and grace. Show us your ways. Give us the courage to follow them, as a church and as individuals. In Your name we pray, Amen. Foolishness It’s been the kind of week–few weeks, really–where I’ve…
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