Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 14 July 2019 (Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Psalm 25 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37) “When Hearts go into the Ditch!” The biblical story of The Good Samaritan, or The Merciful Samaritan, as we call this Gospel text in today’s bulletin, is one of the most well-known Bible parables we have. It is one of … More “When Hearts go into the Ditch!”
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 7 July 2019 (Isaiah 66:10-14 Psalm 66 Galatians 6:7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) “The Kingdom on Your Doorstep!” This is not an easy Gospel text to preach. It is not a simple text, especially when we try to apply it to our lives today. Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell of the … More “The Kingdom on Your Doorstep!”
Luke 8:26-39 According to first century Jewish-Roman historian Flavius Josephus, toward the end of the Jewish revolt in the late 60’s Common Era, the Roman general Vespasian sent a Legion of Roman soldiers (roughly 6000 experienced fighting men) to retake Gerasa, the scene of today’s gospel reading. In the course of the onslaught, the Romans … More Set Free
The Holy Trinity 16 June 2019 (Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Psalm 8 Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15) “From Brokenness to Community!” So why would I want to begin my sermon today by mentioning loneliness—especially on a weekend when our country celebrates Fathers’ Day, when our church celebrates Holy Trinity, and when our congregation will hear Pastor Renee’s … More “From Brokenness to Community!”
John 14:8-18 Last weekend, here at St. James, Pastor Mike preached what I felt was a powerful sermon on the prayer that Jesus prayed on the night before he died, that all who believe in him would be united as one. This weekend, the Church celebrates the day of Pentecost. The day that marks the … More Living the Spirit Life
Seventh Sunday of Easter 2 June 2019 (Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 John 17:20-26) “Life and Love at the Center!” For two weeks I’m teaching in our Sunday morning Adult Discussion Class, using a book entitled, Future Faith, Ten Challenges Reshaping Christianity into the 21st Century. There is an entire chapter on … More “Life and Love at the Center!”
John 14:23-29 This past Tuesday I drove to Zion Lutheran Church in Hummelstown to assist in officiating the funeral of a man by the name of Reginald Dunkinson. At least a few of you may have known him. In the almost four years that I have been here at St. James, about once a month, … More A Life of Faith
