For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Long before the shepherds received the angel’s good news of great joy, Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 9:2-7) that a child would be born…
[Zechariah said:] “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,…
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 This Third Sunday of Advent has a good old-fashioned church name that I kind of like - it is called “Gaudete Sunday,” gaudete being the Latin name for rejoice. It…
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 Well, it’s that time of year to watch all of the many Christmas movies and specials, and it seems like there are more of them every year. Everyone has their favorites, and that’s true for me too.…
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 103:1 Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47 I love the question that John Wesley is reported to have frequently asked of those he encountered, which is: How is…
[Jesus said]: "Keep alert, for you do now know when the time will come." Mark 13:33 “Keep alert,” Jesus tells us, in today’s gospel reading (Mark 13:24-37). “For you do not know when the time will come.” The time when the Son of Man will be seen coming in clouds with great power and glory.…
When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Matthew 25:31 What would you consider to be the most important day in the history of the world? For Christians, we might say the day that Jesus was born. Or…
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 Jesus' Parable of the Talents, recorded in Matthew 25:14-30, has got me thinking about all the tests we…
Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died 1 Thessalonians 4:14 I don’t want to ignore today’s gospel reading (Matthew 25:1-13), but I also don’t want to start with it. I want to start instead with our second reading from Paul’s…
Here is my sermon on Matthew 5:1-12 and 1 John 3:1-3 for All Saints Sunday.
My Pastoral Ponderings 