Advent in the Preacher's Corner

This Advent it was important for me to have us remember that Jesus' birth wasn't into a perfect world, illuminated beatifically by the angels. It was messy, and it remains messy. The good news is God comes anyway.

In worship, our Advent liturgy used the candlelighting liturgy that Rachel Hackenberg created from the lectionary readings from the prophets. A weekly lectionary bible Study group which met for three of the Wednesdays during Advent at Ascension studied the prophets and the Gospels. So my preaching through this season tried to live in the space of knowing what is coming, and yet knowing, even with Christmas, our waiting will continue. In the meantime, God calls us to be faithful and remember God's promises. They are promises of what has already been fulfilled and what awaits.

November 25, 2014 Community Thanksgiving
at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Shelby

Listen
Luke 17:11-19


November 30, 2014 1st Sunday of Advent
Listen
Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80


December 7, 2014 2nd Sunday of Advent
Listen
Mark 1:1-8


December 14, 2014 3rd Sunday of Advent
Listen
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11


December 21, 2014 4th Sunday of Advent
Listen
Luke 1:26-38

September (er, & October & November) in the Preacher's Corner

So the last four months disappeared before me without me adding anything to the conversation here. I was more active on Twitter and I continue to post my sermons weekly on Soundcloud. My absence here was accidental...like forgetting to call someone back, and then remembering when it really is too late. So, if you like, think of the links below as lost voicemails (or answering machine messages if you remember those). You may feel like listening, but if you don't, because September 7 or October 26 feels very far away now, that's ok. I'll call again.

A common thread through my preaching and in my conversations outside the pulpit is the importance of us seeing how this gift of faith that God has given each of us is connected to our day-to-day life. We cannot disconnect faith from life when we're in a church building; we cannot leave faith behind us when we step outside. Hopefully, that message is enduring.

September 7, 2014 13th Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
Matthew 18:15-20

September 14, 2014 "Holy Cross Sunday"
Listen
John 3:13-17

September 21, 2014 15th Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
Matthew 20:1-16

September 28, 2014 16th Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
Psalm 25

October  5, 2014 17th Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
Matthew 21:33-46

October 12, 2014 18th Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
Matthew 22:1-14


A series on 1 Thessalonians
October 19, 2014 "Bread for the World" Sunday
Listen
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 


October 26, 2014 Reformation Sunday
Listen
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8


November 2, 2014 All Saints Sunday
Listen
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13


November 9, 2014 22nd Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13


November 16, 2014 23rd Sunday After Pentecost
Listen
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30; Psalm 90:1-12


November 23, 2014 Christ the King Sunday, "A Celebration of the Church Year"
no sermon