Fear vs Faith, Genesis 15:1–6, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14), August 11, 2019 *********************************************************** Faith seems to be the key word to describe the theme for this Sunday. In our Old Testament lesson, Abram believes God’s promise that he would have an heir. In our Epistle lesson, the nature of abiding faith is defined as […]
A Pity Party of Pessimism, Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:18–26, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13), August 4, 2019 ************************************************************ This Sunday has the potential to be a real downer, let’s call it a pity party of pessimism. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity (1). Ecclesiastes brings us down to earth in […]
Prayer, Luke 11:1–13, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12), July 28, 2019 ************************************************************************* Everybody thinks prayer is a good idea, I have never heard anyone, when told I would pray for them say “please don’t” or “I wish you wouldn’t”. Everyone welcomes prayers on their behalf, or on the behalf of a friend or family member. […]
The Good Samaritan, (Delivered by Mr. Paul Smith), Luke 10:25-37, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), July 14, 2019 ************************************************************ Once there was a wealthy business man who worked in Biloxi. Each day, on his lunch hour, he would walk down the street to eat lunch at Morrison’s Cafeteria, this was before they closed. One day, […]
A Feast Greater than Pignic, Philippians 4:4-13, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Confirmation, Outdoor Service), July 7, 2019 ************************************************************ 156 years ago this past week, from July 1, 1863 – July 3, 1863, the nation was convulsed in the most divisive time in our history. During those three days of the Civil War, over 50,000 men were […]
Eating Worms, 1 Kings 19:9b-21, Third Sunday after Pentecost, (Proper 8), June 30, 2019 ************************************************************ Pastor James woke up Sunday morning bright and early, as he normally did. He showered, dressed, and headed toward the church. When he arrived he proceeded to prepare for the church service, as he always did. However, as the hour for […]
His Outstretched Hands, Isaiah 65:1–9, Second Sunday after Pentecost, (Proper 7), June 23, 2019 ************************************************************ Why can’t Christians get along with each other? A parishioner once wrote the Reverend Billy Graham and asked, “Our church is going through some conflict right now, over what is really a minor issue, but no one wants to give in […]
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Acts 2:14a, 22-36 John 8: 48-59, The Holy Trinity, June 16, 2019 ************************************************************ On this day, in the church’s liturgical calendar, we set aside to commemorate with praise and contemplation of the Holy Trinity. Today is dedicated to a doctrine, and, as such, it is unique. Normally our feast and festival […]
His Job Description, Acts 2:1–21, The Day of Pentecost, June 9, 2019 ************************************************************ Well, it’s finally here, the biggest festival day in the church year, after Christmas and Easter of course, and maybe after Ascension and Jesus’ Baptism, maybe after Reformation Sunday, we are Lutherans after all. And yes next Sunday is Trinity Sunday, that’s pretty […]
Are You Matthias?, Acts 1:12-26, Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 2, 2019 ************************************************************ What about Matthias? What’s the big deal about him? We only hear about him once in the Bible, right? According to our text in Acts, he was the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and Judas’ subsequent death. […]