We Your People, Ours the Journey
a webspace devoted to sermons, thoughts and ramblings from the ministerial journey
"Life All Around" (April 5, 2015 - Easter) Life is all around us, and death never has the final say! (Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1-18) --- I was without my direct mic wire-- sorry for the poorer quality recording; I think the point comes across.
"Together in One Place" (June 8, 2014 - Pentecost Sunday) The story of Pentecost-- the church's "birthday" as the disciples received the Holy Spirit-- paints a picture of a diverse group all together in one place. In this gathering, differences are not erased or harmonized, but celebrated! Are we living as those who expect, celebrate,… Continue reading Sermon: Together in One Place
"Empty Tomb; So What?" (April 20, 2014, Easter Sunday) Easter brings us to the the greatest miracle and mystery of the Christian faith, but what's it all about? What happens *after* the empty tomb to change our lives? God's salvation is still happening, not accomplished all at once. Instead, we are invited into the ongoing… Continue reading Sermon: Empty Tomb; So What?
"King of Kings" (April 13, 2014) Jesus rides into Jerusalem as a king, but not the sort of king anyone was expecting. When we fail to live up to the expectations of others-- or when they fail to live up to ours-- can we cut one another a little slack? Are we willing to ask… Continue reading Sermon: “King of Kings”
"Love is Born, Ready or Not!" (Dec 24, 2013 - Christmas Eve) Into our lives where sorrow and loneliness lurk, into the life of the world, where love was least expected, God's presence breaks in. Christmas is not about celebrating Jesus' birthday-- or at least not primarily about that. First and foremost it is a… Continue reading Sermon: Love is Born, Ready or Not!
"Christmas is Coming, Ebenezer Scrooge!" (December 8, 2013) Bah Humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge's name is synonymous with being stingy and mean and hating Christmas. He seems quite happy with his life, but he has no peace, because he does not live with justice. That Christmas spirit can't be contained, however; Scrooge sees some glimpses of his… Continue reading Sermon: Christmas is Coming, Ebenezer Scrooge!
"Christmas is Coming, Mr. Grinch!" (December 1, 2013) The Grinch, alone and angry, despised the whole Christmas season-- until love broke into his life and he found his heart growing three sizes. Can God really break in to our cold-hearted loneliness? (Isaiah 2:1-5) Before the sermon, I played a clip similar to this from the… Continue reading Sermon: Christmas is Coming, Mr. Grinch
"Against All Odds" (Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012) Jesus is born as the son of poor, unwed parents, as a Jewish man in the Roman Empire. Ours is a God accustomed to hope and love that transcend the odds stacked against us. May Christ be light to you in life's dark places this Christmas, and… Continue reading Sermon: Against All Odds
as posted on the Reconciling Ministries Network blog Family legend tells that the year after my parents separated, my mom faced the prospect of her first Thanksgiving alone. She accepted an invitation to the home of a friend, and my family and I have been spending alternating Thanksgiving holidays with them ever since, adding spouses… Continue reading Resetting an Open Holiday Table
Here is my deep confession: It is hard for me to get inspired to lead worship on Easter. I face this every year. In part, I think the expectations I place on myself are too high-- I want to do something "cool" or "relevant" to get the attention of the visitors; I want to lift… Continue reading Seeking Easter Inspiration
We Your People, Ours the Journey 