Our summer series continues looking at God’s chosen family. Like our own families, there are some closets stuffed with baggage. As our story opens today, one of those closets has been opened for find God’s family, and they’re in the middle of a mess. To untangle the mess we need to go back a few chapters.
Lent II 2020
Lent I, 2020
When was your last heart-to-heart conversation with someone? Perhaps it was with a spouse, trusted friend, a child. Today we begin a Lenten series, Heart-to-Heart Talks exploring conversations in the Gospels that prompt questions about our own relationship with Jesus. First up, Jesus and Satan.
Transfiguration of the Lord 2020
I would not be surprised if at times the disciples looked at Jesus and said, “Seriously, Jesus, one more thing we have to get our heads around and understand?”
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that you brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” MT. 5:23-24
Epiphany V, 2020
Epiphany IV, 2020
Third Sunday After Epiphany
“As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Second Sunday after Epiphany, 2020
One of the great truths of I’ve learned raising children is it is a two-sided coin, I love them with all my heart, mind, body and soul, and from infancy to adulthood they can be annoying to no end! I am sure they would say the same about their Dad. And note, I go down this road on a Sunday I know neither will be here! I am also chicken!
Epiphany 2020
“When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.”
Advent IV, 2019
Advent III, 2019
Advent II, 2019
Advent I, 2019
This week, as our Journey to Generosity continues, commitment cards went out. If you have not received yours, please contact the office. Commitment Sunday is November 10, the day we are all asked to generously respond to God’s grace in our lives.
World Communion Sunday 2019
A friend once shared a prayer with me to be offered when something is lost: “Tony, Tony, Turn Around, somethings lost and must be found.”
I did some checking and discovered that the prayer comes from the Roman Catholic tradition. It is a prayer to St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost things.
“How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
A Christmas or so ago, Susan gave me a smoker. Never having cooked with the “low and slow” method of smoking various meats, I read a few books, talked to a couple of people, but more than anything, I became a devotee of the “Do It Yourself” video.
Poet Thomas John Carlisle describes, in her words, the plight of the woman at the center of our text this morning:
Cantor Jennifer Rueben was recently in El Paso. On the trip she used $2,000 from her Norfolk, VA Synagogue to purchase $50 gift cards for Walmart. She donated them to an El Paso shelter that serves immigrant families. Her congregation wanted them to know they were glad they were here and that they were cared for from afar.
The flight was delayed because another flight had been canceled. The passengers at the gate became increasingly impatient as the wait dragged through the afternoon.
Well, we got back from vacation yesterday. We rented a small place down in Nags Head. It was a great week, good weather, a few adventures and time to relax, read and reconnect.
This story of Mary & Martha’s dinner party is guaranteed to stir up an argument. The story itself contains an argument. On top of that, down through the centuries, there have been countless arguments about the story.
We come to one of Jesus’ most famous parables, the good Samaritan. So familiar is the story, even non-Christians are likely to know this tale. Yet familiarity can also make it easy to lose sight of the message.
He is afraid. He is exhausted. He has done all he can, so he throws in the towel, prays to God for death then does the one thing that gives him peace, he takes a nap.
Trinity Sunday 2019
Pentecost 2019
Easter VII, 2019
Easter VI, 2019
Confirmation 2019
Easter III, 2019
Easter II, 2019
Easter 2019
Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!