God’s grace and peace be with all of you. I hate today’s gospel reading. I hate it. I cannot for the life of me make sense of what Jesus says and does in this passage. He says, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out … Continue reading A Mother’s Determination (a sermon on Matthew 15:10-28)
Where is God in Charlottesville?
God’s grace and peace be with all of you. There’s a well-known saying among preachers, attributed to the theologian Karl Barth: “The pastor should preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” It means that preaching can never be divorced from the here and now. If I got up here … Continue reading Where is God in Charlottesville?
A Litany Against White Supremacy
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-white-virginia-rally-20170811-story.html As Charlottesville, VA becomes the focal point of white supremacy and those who stand against it, this litany was prepared by myself and Pastor Elizabeth Rawlings for use in worship. Litany against white supremacy Gracious and loving God, In the beginning, you created humanity and declared us very good We were made … Continue reading A Litany Against White Supremacy
The Striver and the Dusty God
God’s grace and peace be with all of you. Jacob was a fighter, through and through. Even before he was born, he fought with his twin Esau in their mother’s womb. Esau came out first, but Jacob was right behind him, holding on to Esau’s heel, as if he was trying to pass Esau at … Continue reading The Striver and the Dusty God
Saints and Sinners
God’s grace and peace be with all of you. As you can see, we’ve just wrapped up a week of vacation Bible school here at Shepherd of the Valley. Our theme for VBS this year was “Hero Central.” Over the past week, the VBS kids learned about heroes of the Bible and learned how they … Continue reading Saints and Sinners
I Hope You’re Somewhere, Praying
I Hope You’re Somewhere, Praying A Meditation on Kesha’s “Praying” Music Video “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Why were there knees to receive me, or breasts for me to suck? Now I would be lying down and quiet; I would be asleep; then I would be … Continue reading I Hope You’re Somewhere, Praying
Generational Divide (a sermon on Matthew 11:16-19,25-30)
God’s grace and peace be with all of you. Let’s talk for about generations. Here in this congregation, we probably have representatives of five or six different generations, spanning the 20th century. There are just a few left from the Greatest Generation, those whose early lives were shaped by the Great Depression and who lived … Continue reading Generational Divide (a sermon on Matthew 11:16-19,25-30)
Welcome (a sermon on Matthew 10:40-42)
God’s grace and peace be with all of you. What does the word ‘hospitality’ mean to you? Maybe you think of the hospitality industry, the many service jobs involved in hospitality—the front desk and housekeeping staff at a hotel, the flight attendants on an airplane, the guest services department at an event venue. These people … Continue reading Welcome (a sermon on Matthew 10:40-42)
The Kindness (and Cruelty) of Strangers
God’s grace and peace be with all of you. “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers,” says Blanche DuBois at the end of A Streetcar Named Desire, as she is led away to be committed to a mental hospital. The line is both tragic and true; Blanche has always depended on the kindness … Continue reading The Kindness (and Cruelty) of Strangers
Do You See This Woman? (a sermon from June 2016)
[This is not the sermon I preached this past Sunday. This is a sermon I preached a year ago. It popped up in my Facebook memories. I think it may be the best sermon I've ever written.] God’s grace and peace be with all of you. Today is Sea Sunday here at Our Saviour’s. It’s … Continue reading Do You See This Woman? (a sermon from June 2016)
