[Jesus prayed:] "Now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." John 17:11 Our gospel reading today (John 17:6-19) is a prayer,…
When Our Prayers Go Unanswered
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 A young man in our congregation, Jonathan1, was dying of cancer, and he knew it. He was a…
A Psalm for Us All: My Sermon on Psalm 23 for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23 Every year on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, those who follow the Revised Common Lectionary observe what is informally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Our gospel reading this Sunday is always from John 10, the section of John’s Gospel where Jesus describes himself as our good…
What Does Easter Mean? My Sermon on Mark 16:1-8 for Easter Sunday
Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Mark 16:6 Early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, three women went to the tomb of Jesus. They found the stone rolled away, and the tomb empty.…
Learning from Joseph of Arimathea: My Sermon for Palm Sunday on Mark 15
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43 There is so much happening in our worship service today that I thought I would narrow the focus for my sermon, and…
Impatient on the Way: My Sermon on Numbers 21:4-9
From Mount Hor [the Israelites] set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. Numbers 21:4-9 If I were to take a poll to determine everyone’s favorite verse of the Bible, John 3:16 might find itself near the top. It is a…
Ten Things that I Am Learning (Remembering?) About Grief
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 It has been said that grief is the price of love, which means that all who love will grieve. There is no way to go through life without loss. And doing without love is no way to go through life. So accepting grief…
God’s Path to a Blessed Life: My Sermon on Exodus 20:1-17, the Ten Commandments
Then God spoke all these words, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:1-3 Our first reading today offers us one of the most famous passages in all of scripture: God’s giving to Moses the Ten…
Eulogy for My Mother
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25 My mother died during open heart surgery on January 31, 2024, completing a remarkable life. As the oldest of her four children, it was my privilege to share a eulogy at her Memorial Service on February 8th. I have…
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus Today? My Sermon on Mark 1:14-20
Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Mark 1:17 The story is told of a young woman applying for college. She felt that her application was strong, until she got to the question that asked, simply, “Are you a leader?” Her heart sank. Being both honest and conscientious,…