Clean as Mud, Malachi 3:1-7, Philippians 1:2-11, Second Sunday in Advent, December 9, 2018 ***************************************************************** The name Malachi means “my messenger”. His name could also serve as a summary of what he wrote, since he speaks about God’s coming messenger. Malachi says this Messenger “will suddenly come to his temple: and the messenger of the covenant […]

Waiting for Springtime, Jeremiah 33:14–16; Luke 21:29–31 First Sunday in Advent, December 2, 2018 ************************************************************Around many parts of the country, winter is in full swing. In other parts of the country winter has just begun. In South Mississippi, this time of year you never know when you walk out the door, whether to dress for […]

Time, Talent, and Treasure, Colossians 4:3, 5-6; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 25:14-30, Stewardship Sunday, November 25, 2018 ************************************************************ If a genie popped out of a bottle and offered to grant you one wish, would you wish for more treasure, more talent, or more time? Let’s do a quick survey to find out our answers. The three […]

A Lot to be Thankful For, Deuteronomy 8:1-10, Luke 17:11-19, Thanksgiving Eve, November 21, 2018 ************************************************************ It’s a pretty safe bet, that the Gospel reading for this evening is very familiar to all of us. It is the traditional lectionary Gospel reading every year for Thanksgiving. And tonight, like last year, and the year before that, […]

Endure to the End, Mark 13:1-13, Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28), November 18, 2018 ************************************************************ As we approach the end of the Church Year, we are pointed toward the future, the end, when our Lord returns visibly in glory to deliver His people. The Church eagerly awaits for Jesus’ public, visible return, praying fervently that […]

Trust God, 1 Kings 17:8-16, Mark 12:38-44, Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 27), November 11, 2018 ************************************************************ The season after Pentecost is coming to an end. The exuberance and excitement that we experienced just a few short months ago, on the Day of Pentecost, is now giving way to a season of prolonged waiting for the […]

All Saints’ Day, 1 John 3:1-3, All Saints’ Day (observed), November 4, 2018 ************************************************************ When someone we love dies, it’s often a tremendous shock. We witness the funeral, the burial, and nod at all the good wishes from friends. Then, mostly we are numb. How can we go on living without that person? They may have been […]

Things Are Falling Apart, Psalm 46, Reformation Sunday, October 28, 2018 ************************************************************ During a transatlantic flight the captain came over the intercom and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to be your pilot for today. I can tell you the flight is going well. Nevertheless, I have to tell you about a minor inconvenience that has […]

In God We Trust, Mark 10:23-31, Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost  (Proper 24), October 21, 2018 ************************************************************ Martin Luther is known to have said that your God is the person or thing which you trust to do you the most good. There is a terrible thing which happens in the world today. People succeed. They get rich, […]

What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?, Mark 10:17-22, Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23), October 14, 2018 ************************************************************ How come it is, that when a new baby enters the world, it seems that he or she is the center of the universe? I’ll tell you why! Because for a short time, the world does […]