Category: Sermon
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Fishing Or Following? – A Sermon On Mark 1:14-20
“O Lord, please let me go fishing soon. Help me catch a lot of fish and one really big one.” I loved to fish when I was a kid and for a long time that was my nightly prayer. Every night I’d cast that prayer to God hoping he (back then God was a he) Read more
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A Blind Spot Called Nazareth – A Sermon On John 1:43-51
A couple of weeks ago Olivia, our church secretary, came into my office and said, “There’s a gentleman in the hallway who wants to talk with you.” I went out and immediately recognized him. I’ve know and helped him, or at least tried to help him, for years. He’s one of those people who when Read more
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Reclaiming The Kiss Of God – A Sermon On Mark 1:4-11
Today’s sermon will probably be a bit shorter than usual. Now don’t get too excited. That’s not my New Year’s resolution and it probably won’t happen next week. This week, however, I want to speak less and let the renewal of our baptismal vows speak more. It is the heart of this sermon. I don’t Read more
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The Grammar Of Christmas – A Sermon On John 1:1-18
I’m going to begin today’s sermon with a grammar question. Merry Christmas. But first, a little review. You remember what a noun is, right? It’s a word used to describe a person, place, or thing. And how about a verb? That’s a word used to describe an action, occurrence, or state of being. So here’s Read more
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Tending To The Child – A Christmas Day Sermon On Luke 2:8-20
I’m always struck by how different Christmas Day is from Christmas Eve. It’s like the difference between an introvert and an extrovert. Last night was exciting, noisy, and crowded. This morning is calm, quiet, and there aren’t many of us here. Christmas Eve pageantry has given way to Christmas Day simplicity. The candlelight of last Read more
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As Real As A Baby’s Cry – A Christmas Eve Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
The announcement has been made and the news delivered. Today God has come to us as a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:1-20) Emmanuel. God is with us. The angel calls this good news of great joy for all people. Not just for the shepherds but for all Read more
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Offering Without Expectation – An Advent Sermon On Luke 1:26-38
What are your plans for Christmas? That’s been a common question the last couple of weeks. It’s a question I’ve asked and been asked. Some are traveling, others are staying home. Some will have a big gathering of family and friends, others will have a more quiet low key Christmas. Food and gifts are parts Read more
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Make A Beginning Worthy Of Your Life – An Advent Sermon On Mark 1:1-8
I’m jealous of John the Baptizer. In today’s gospel (Mark 1:1-8) he experiences what every preacher dreams of. He has been “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” He’s been pushing the people to rethink, reevaluate, reconsider their lives. And darned if they Read more
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The Beginning Is Near – An Advent Sermon On Mark 13:24-37
After the start of the Israel-Hamas war I heard comments about the end of the world. A couple of people asked me if I thought the end was near. I heard the same kind of comments and questions after the Robb School shooting. I also heard them following the January 6 insurrection. And just a Read more
Interrupting the Silence 