Sermons

From the Common English Bible,“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me.He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,to proclaim release to the prisonersand recovery of sight to the blind,to liberate the oppressed,and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”This passage was appointed for this Sundayin […]

Dr. King said,“The arc of the moral universe is long,but it bends toward justice.”Y’all are familiar with that quote?When we take it out of its context –a Baptist minster doing worknot necessarily expectingto see the culmination –we may as well saywater just turns into winewhen you run out of wine. This passage from Johnthat we

In the name of God,in whom we live,and move,and have our being. Amen.My husband Brandon and Ihave been watching the showSomebody, Somewhereon Max.We watched an episode this weekwhere a gay man who has been religiousis talking to another who still is.The one still involved in the churchsays, “Church is where you gowhen you’re confused.”They’re in

“Adolescence” sermon by J. Hugh Magers from January 4, 1998 This Gospel lesson is the one window we have into Jesus’ life in early adolescence. But we really can’t appropriately use the term adolescence in this context. Entrance into adulthood was pegged at the 12th year in that culture. So the visit to the Temple

St. John Chrysostompreached this Christmas sermonin 386.It was preached at Antioch in Asia Minor–during the first year of his public ministry.Later, he became Bishop of Constantinople.It was his skillful preachingthat earned him the nickname “Chrysostom,”which means “Golden-Mouthed.” Behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song,piping no soft melody,but chanting full

Merry Christmas!This year in AdventI’ve been noticing contrasts.Tomorrow’s gospel,the prologue to John’s gospel,is about the contrasts between light and dark.The light shines in the darknessand the darkness does not overcome it.This Advent, though,I’ve noticed the contrasts betweenShimmering commercial Christmas spirit out thereand the waiting of Advent in here.I observed the contrast betweenthe prophets’ call to

God is the actor in Luke’s Gospel.God is the actorin all salvation history,but you really can’t ignore itwhen you read Luke.In the gospel passage I readand Mary’s Song that we proclaimed togetherwe have contrasts –which I mentioned last week –and God decisively the actor.Mary has just said yes to carrying God’s childand she goes to

Historically today has been a bit of a breakfrom the solemnity of Advent.Gaudete Sunday,Rejoice Sunday.That’s why we’ve gota pink or rose candle burningand some places even have vestmentsand altar dressings to match!Rejoice!This week continues where last week left off.John is still in the desertpreparing the way of salvation.Crowds are coming to be baptizedin a baptism