To watch the sermon click here. This morning I pick up where Lex left off last Sunday with his sermon on the hard sayings of Jesus. Today, I’m inviting you to follow Jesus’ most difficult teachings. I’m asking you to pray for the IRS! Yes, to pray for those faceless bureaucrats whose job, it sometimes
Iconic Hospitality
We are the Samaritans
Who were the Samaritans? We’ve all heard Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan, the religious outsider who compassionately cared for the poor man beaten and left for dead in the ditch. The man who had been avoided by the religious insiders, the Priest and the Levite, because they thought he might be dead and coming
The Importance of Context
There is no shortage of darkness in the news: natural disasters, the pandemic, crime, homelessness. In many ways, this is nothing new. There are many dark things in the Bible – the flood, the plagues of Egypt, the suffering and death of Christ upon the Cross. But at Christmastime, we are surrounded by expressions of
What is Ruth All About?
We heard, in today’s Old Testament lesson, the beginning of the Book of Ruth. The scene was set, the characters were introduced; the three women in the story lost their husbands; Naomi pleaded with her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find themselves new husbands in their own country while she returned to the
Battle for Christianity – Annual Appeal
I am so glad to be here with you today. I just returned from a board meeting for the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes in Atlanta, and then flew to Essex Connecticut where I preached at Kate Wesch’s installation as Rector at Saint John’s Church. Incidentally, Kate is doing very well, as is her family,
How are you REALLY doing?
Good morning Christians, seekers, and friends: How are you? …I am waiting because I really want to know! The other day my colleague Pam brought to my attention that after we had exchanged “good mornings,” in the Christie House kitchen where I was putting my lunch in the refrigerator, I then asked her “How are
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
I’ve been hearing lately about conversations people have had with family members and good friends who refused to get vaccinated. (disqualify people who are immune-compromised) These conversations are exasperating! Nothing they say inspires their loved one to change their mind. Nothing works. It is crazy making. This is life and death, and there are not
Unity in the Kingdom of God
We find ourselves today in the midst of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It is a beautiful letter that we have recently worked our way through in Bible study (restarting September 17, Friday 10:30 am). One reason we study the Bible, particularly the New Testament, is that it gives us a path forward for the
This Sunday, the Fourth of July
Good morning Christians, Seekers, and Friends! Happy Fourth of July everyone. I am offering up a special prayer of thanksgiving for everyone joining us today both here in the church building and at home because I am so glad that you are taking the time to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ and our Epiphany community