Sermon Archive (Page 9)

The Transfiguration – February 27, 2022 Luke 9:28-43a           Today is the last Sunday in the season of Epiphany, and we are given the story of the Transfiguration. Of Jesus’ transfiguration. An amazing story that is shared in three gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Like Moses before him, Jesus is given an experience of God and God’s majesty. Mountaintop experiences are like an alternative reality with the palpable presence of the kingdom of God, here and now. It’s no wonder…

Absalom Jones Feast – Feb 13, 2022 John 15:12-15 Today we are celebrating the Feast of Absalom Jones. Blessed Absalom was born into slavery, taught himself to read by using the Bible as one of his resources, was permitted to attend a quaker school and he became America’s first black Priest. Ordained by Bishop White in our own Diocese. Absalom is one of many spiritual ancestors who have gone before us that we can learn so much from. He was…

5 Epiphany – February 6, 2022 Luke 5:1-11           So, with the crowds pressing in, Jesus sees fishermen washing their nets and their boats nearby on the shore, and he gets into Simon’s boat and asks him to put out a little way from the shore. This way, Jesus can comfortably teach the crowds from the boat without being smothered by them in their excitement. When he’s done teaching, he turns to Simon, and tells him, “Put out into the…

4 Epiphany – January 30, 2022 Luke 4:21-30           Today’s gospel is a continuation of last week’s story with Jesus saying, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”   And it all started off really well.  All spoke well of him and were amazed at his gracious words.  And then, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The crowd that had been adoring this hometown man, turned into an angry mob that wanted to throw him off a cliff. What happened?  Well,…

3 Epiphany – January 23, 2022 Luke 4:14-21           Our gospel ends today with the words of Jesus:  “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Has it? Jesus seems convinced of it, at least. And to get a little Greek language insight, the verb “has been fulfilled” is in the perfect tense. Which means that the Scripture has indeed been fulfilled in its hearing and the effect of that hearing is an ongoing reality. In other words, “today”…

1 Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord – Jan 9, 2022 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22          We just heard Luke tell us that Jesus has been baptized–and was praying—”when the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  Now, that was a “moment”. A significant, full, ripe moment. It established a relationship. It’s the season…

Epiphany – January 2, 2022 Matthew 2:1-12           Happy New Year, Happy 2022!  It’s a new calendar year, and today we are marking the Feast of the Epiphany which we are celebrating early, as it actually occurs on Thursday, January 6, the twelfth day after Christmas. Epiphany tells the story of the magi, or the wise men, traveling by the light of a bright star to see the child who has been born “King of the Jews”.  Of course, as…

Christmas Eve 2021           I admit that I am weary, this virus has created a bit of chaos for our holiday gatherings yet again. But we are reminded on Christmas Eve of how Jesus was born as a tiny baby, in the darkness of a stable.  God’s love comes down to us, is born in us on Christmas. Jesus brings light and life and hope to a weary world. You all know this poetry, these lyrics:  “O Holy Night, the…

3 Advent – December 12, 2021 Luke 3:7-18           “You brood of vipers!” is how our gospel begins today. It sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Here is this crowd of people coming to John to be baptized and he calls them a ‘brood of vipers’.  And John also cautions against abusing the privilege of a family tree that has a long prior relationship with God: “Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor.’” If any of…

2 Advent – December 5, 2021 Luke 3:1-6          So, in our gospel this morning we start out with a litany. “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and on and on. We get a listing of 7 very powerful people — an emperor, a governor, three tetrarchs, and two high priests. Together they represent rulers of the known world, the regional lands, and the religious, political,…

1 Advent – November 28, 2021 Luke 21:25-36           It is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the year. The beginning of the church calendar year. Have you ever wondered why we begin our church year as the days are shorter and it’s darker? Have you ever wondered why we begin with scripture that is apocalyptic?  I have.  I mean, we’re hearing about signs. Signs in the sun, the moon and the stars. Distress, confusion, fainting from…

25 Pentecost, Proper 28 – November 14, 2021 Mark 13:1-8           Our gospel story from Mark today begins as Jesus is walking out of the temple just after pointing out to his disciples that a poor widow gave more with her small offering than the wealthy did, because she gave out of her poverty. So, doesn’t it strike you as rather interesting that the first thing said to Jesus as they are leaving the temple is, Wow! Look at these…