Category: Advent
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The Reversals In Our Lives – A Sermon On Luke 1:39-55
Haven’t there been times in your life when a reversal grabbed your attention or captured your heart, and left you wondering, “What is going on here and how did this happen?” I can easily imagine that’s what it was like for Mary and Elizabeth in today’s gospel (Luke1:39-55). It’s happened in my life and I’ll Read more
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What Then Should We Do? – A Sermon On Luke 3:7-18
Today’s gospel (Luke 3:7-18) is the continuation of last week’s gospel (Luke 3:1-6). They are two parts of the same story and I don’t think we can fully understand today’s without the context of last week’s Last week I said that John the Baptist was asking us to confront ourselves and look at the landscape Read more
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Looking At The Landscape Of Our Lives – A Sermon On Luke 3:1-6
There’s a particular person in my life I sometimes just don’t want to be with. It’s often uncomfortable and sometimes scary to be together. There are times when I intentionally avoid this person. Sometimes I don’t like what I see in this person. Other times I am disappointed in or angry with this person. Sometimes Read more
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The Days Will Surely Come – A Sermon On Jeremiah 33:14-16
Do you ever feel like your life is out of kilter and you’re a hot mess? Do you ever feel like you’re out of sync with yourself, others, or God? “The days will surely come,” says the Lord, “when ….” When have the walls of your life been breached, your security violated, and your Read more
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“Creator Of The Stars Of Night” – An Advent Chant
“Creator of the Stars of Night” is an Advent chant with words from the 9th century. The music, Conditor lame siderum, is plainsong chant, mode 4. This rendition is by two choir members of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Uvalde. Creator of the stars of night,your people’s everlasting light,O Christ, Redeemer of us all,we pray you hear us when we call. Read more
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Can I Get A Witness? – A Sermon On John 1:6-8, 19-28
When was the last time you could not help but tell about something you saw, heard, or experienced? It was simply more than you could hold or contain and you just couldn’t keep it to yourself. You had to tell about it. Before you answer, let me clarify what I am talking about and what… Read more
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New Life Emerges From The Dark – A Sermon On Mark 13:24-37
Today’s gospel, like all apocalyptic literature, takes us to those threshold moments that leave us wondering whether things are falling apart or falling into place. By now most of you know me well enough to know that my answer to that is, “Yes. Yes, they are.” I’m betting every one of you could tell a… Read more
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Filling The Jesus Gap – A Sermon On Matthew 11:2-11
The Third Sunday in Advent, Year A – Matthew 11:2-11 John yelled at his disciples, “The Messiah is doing what!?” His voice escaped between the bars of his cell and echoed throughout the prison. Maybe his disciples told him what Jesus was doing. Or maybe he overheard the guards talking about it. Maybe he found Read more
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Life Can Be Different – An Advent Sermon On Matthew 3:1-12
The Second Sunday in Advent, Year A – Matthew 3:1-12 What if I preached like John the Baptist? What if I was as blunt and direct as he is? What if one Sunday I began my sermon like this? “So what brought you slithering in here today? You sons of … snakes. Why are you Read more
Interrupting the Silence 