Sermons by Sherry Deets (Page 14)
Sherry Deets is the current Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Trinity in Coatesville, PA.
What is your Picture of God?
5 Pentecost, Proper 9 – July 5, 2020 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Perception is a fascinating thing. The definition of perception is the state of being, or process of becoming aware of something through the senses. It is a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression or picture. It’s intuitive understanding and insight. In our gospel reading for today, Jesus talks about how we have perceived John the Baptist and Jesus, himself. The crowds appear ready to judge…
Make a New Map
2 Pentecost, Proper 6 – June 14, 2020 Matthew 9:35-10:8-23 This morning we are hearing from scripture about Abraham and Sarah having a child in their old age. Something unexpected and wonderfully new and creative. And we hear about Jesus sending the twelve out to the Israelites to proclaim the good news. He describes sending them out like “sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves”. It’s interesting that Jesus wasn’t sending…
The Dance of the Trinity
Trinity Sunday – June 7, 2020 Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20 Today is Trinity Sunday, the Sunday we’ve set aside to honor the doctrine of the Trinity. That mysterious concept of the three in one and one in three. You know, God is three in one, but really one, even though God is also three? Clear as mud. There’s the example of water, ice and steam to attempt to explain the Trinity – 3 forms, but one substance. Water,…
Fire and Wind
Pentecost – May 31, 2020 Acts 2:1-21 and John 20:19-23 Today, we celebrate Pentecost. It’s often called the birthday of the church, because it’s when the first believers received the gift of the Holy Spirit and began the mission of being Christ’s witnesses “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. It is a bold mission. A mission marked by wind and fire. Fire and wind are powerful biblical symbols. They have the…
Remember
7 Easter, Ascension Sunday – May 24, 2020 Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:44-53 Ascension Day is one of the most overlooked holidays on our Christian calendar. It always happens on a Thursday – this year is was observed this past Thursday, so we are honoring it today, this Ascension Sunday, because it reminds us that we cannot limit God. God came to us in the flesh as the person of Jesus, and Jesus’ ascension reminds us that we can’t…
One Little Word
5 Easter – May 10, 2020 John 14:1-14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” Now, I admit when I looked at our gospel for this Fifth Sunday of Easter and saw the reference to house and many dwelling places it took on a new meaning for me in the midst of our stay-at-home orders. Most of us want to get out of…
“I’ve Got You”
4 Easter – May 3, 2020 John 10:1-10 This morning Jesus speaks to us about shepherds, sheep and gates. In fact, he says that he is the gate. “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” I think it may help to understand shepherding and…
A Hard Road
3 Easter – April 26, 2020 Luke 24:13-35 So, life is kind of awful right now. It’s awful. We are all adjusting to new realities and grieving the loss of old ones. We are experiencing collective loss. We’re simply trying to manage our daily lives – some of us taking care of our children or parents, dealing with financial stresses, and adjusting to a different way of life. It is stressful, it is anxiety producing. But I want you…
Easter Balance
Easter – April 12, 2020 John 20:1-18 Alleluia! Christ is risen! Even though we are celebrating this Easter differently than we ever have before, we can still proclaim our Alleluias! loudly and boldly, knowing that Christ rose from the dead because of God’s great love for all of us. This resurrection story experience from John, actually hits pretty close to home with our pandemic experience. After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples had been hiding out in their homes, afraid, trying…
Good Friday Vulnerability and Truth
Good Friday 2020 April 10, 2020 And so, it is Good Friday. And it’s an awful Friday. It’s day of paradox, of tension, of contradiction. It’s a day of darkness and light. It is a day filled with vulnerability and truth. And this Good Friday is one in which the world, collectively, is experiencing vulnerability. We are uncertain, we feel as if the ground is shifting underneath us, we are afraid, we are perhaps disheartened, wondering what’s next, when…
No Bones are too Dry
5 Lent – March 29, 2020 John 11:1-45 This past Monday brought with it additional restrictions on how we live our lives – a shelter in place order. So, I think it’s fair to say that, at this point, most all of us have had our lives dramatically changed. And not by choice. So, please, be gentle with yourselves. Let’s admit that this is stressful for most all of us. We’re worried about our health, our jobs, our economy.…
Vision
4 Lent – March 22, 2020 John 9:1-41 So, wow! Lots of changes in our world right now and it may be, for many of us, a scary time. Especially if you are sick or are not able to earn an income right now. My own household is affected, because as many of you know, my husband owns Beaver Creek Tavern and had to temporarily close. This effects the employees’ income, as well as the tavern’s. But as is…