Sermons
Sermons preached in a context, but written for people of all sorts and conditions.
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With Us
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7 min read
a homily for Advent 4A Text: Matthew 1:18-25 “Don’t be afraid” The most common phrase Jesus utters in His ministry is some variation of “don’t be afraid”. So often, the disciples are in the midst of something really hard, something truly frightening. Like Jesus appearing to them in the boat, rocked by storms and He…
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Technicolor Faith
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5 min read
a homily for Advent 3A Text: Matthew 11:2-11 From Repent to Doubt When John appeared in the wilderness, a wild man dressed the prophet’s part, we caught a glimpse of his vision for the kingdom of heaven. He preached repentance and preparation: turning away from our pasts and toward a new future, living in a…
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In the Wilds
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5 min read
a homily for Advent 2A Text: Matthew 3:1-12 In the wilderness, a hero As our story begins, it says John “appeared in the wilderness.” Other verbs would convey motion: John walked, wandered, or made his way. Our verb “appeared” lacks motion: he was not—then he was. John appeared, like an apparition, it seems from nothing.…
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Preparing with Hope
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6 min read
a homily for Advent 1A Text: Matthew 24:36-44 Waking up early I woke up early on Thursday morning. Not to my alarm, but to my son saying “Daddy!” He was wide awake and ready to get up—a full hour ahead of my schedule. He and I walked out into the dark living room and…
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Asking/Responding
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6 min read
a homily for Proper 29C Text: Luke 23:33-43 This is a potent ending to the church year. Jesus on the cross, mocked, brought low beside two criminals. A passage full of questions—like the questions we all bring with us to church. Questions about… Jesus—Who is He, what is He? What does He want? GOD—What is…
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Building for Mission
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8 min read
a homily for Proper 28C Text: Luke 21:5-19 Encountering Jesus’s Mission Jesus ends the teaching at the Temple and begins to leave with his closest followers by saying some pretty tough words. Listen: In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in…