Category: Liturgical Feasts and Fasts
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Epiphany Proclamation of Easter 2017
The Church has a couple of significant and meaningful traditions related to The Feast of the Epiphany. First, it is a common practice to bless homes on the Feast of the Epiphany and during the following week. One way of doing this is with chalk that has been blessed during the Epiphany Eucharist. Second, the ancient Read more
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Bearing the Unbearable – A Sermon on John 16:12-15 for the Feast of the Holy Trinity
John 16:12-15, Feast of the Holy Trinity “Jesus said to the disciples, ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now’” (John 16:12). When I hear Jesus talking about the unbearable things of life I want to run away. But I can’t. It’s too late. There’s no where to Read more
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Epiphany House Blessing with Chalk
The Church has a custom of blessing homes (as well as proclaiming the date of Easter) on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) and the week following. Family and friends gather to ask God’s blessing on their homes and those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to Read more
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Epiphany Proclamation of Easter 2016
The Church has a couple of important and meaningful traditions related to The Feast of the Epiphany. First, it is a common practice to bless homes on the Feast of Epiphany and during the following week. One way of doing this is with chalk that has been blessed during the Epiphany Eucharist. Second, the ancient Read more
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Prayers for the New Year
While the civil calendar marks January 1 as New Year’s Day, the Church celebrates January 1 as the Feast of the Holy Name, Jesus. Although the two might be celebrated in different ways, they are not necessarily in opposition. Behind the celebrations, resolutions, and good wishes associated with the New Year I suspect there are, Read more
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Here is the Man – A Good Friday Sermon on John 18:1-19:42
“Here is the man.” (From the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John 18:1-19:42) Pilate has spoken a truth beyond the words we hear and beyond the man we see. Who is this man? Who do you see? To whom is Pilate referring? Yes, it is Jesus of Nazareth. He’s wearing a Read more
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Looking Around and Leaving Nothing Behind – A Palm Sunday Sermon on Mark 11:1-11
Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ (From the Palm Sunday gospel, Mark 11:1-11) Every time I read, hear, or say those words I Read more
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The Promise of Interruption – A Sermon on the Annunciation, Luke 1:26-38
We call today (March 25) the Feast of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) but I wonder if it might be more accurate to call it the Feast of Interruption. Here’s what I mean by that. We don’t know what Mary was doing when the Angel Gabriel showed up. Holy scripture doesn’t tell us. I’m willing to Read more
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Welcome to the Human Race – An Ash Wednesday Sermon, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
A couple of years ago I was talking with a women who is and has been for many years my therapist, counselor, mentor, and teacher all rolled into one. I told her that I worked really hard to always get it right, to have the answer, to always know what to do, to speak the Read more
Interrupting the Silence 