Holy Cross Day 14 September 2014 (Numbers 21:4b-9 Psalm 98 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 John 3:13-17) “Lift High the Cross!” A few months ago when I was away, one Sunday morning I went to church and the sermon was all about the cross—“take up your cross and follow me.” I thought was a good sermon. On … More “Lift High the Cross!”

Text: Matthew 18: 15-20, Pentecost 13a “Let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector…” Harsh stuff for such a festive weekend here at St. James! As we come together as church this weekend for Rally Day and for the God’s Work, Our Hands, Our Voices Event to celebrate the ways … More 3 Simple Steps to Excommunicate the Annoying?

Text: Matthew 16 21-28 “Line up behind me if you want to be on my team!” The apprehensive crowd looked at one another. The team captain was the strongest athlete they’d ever seen; he was fast and talented and was positively destined to make it to the post-season! “Line up behind me!” Some jumped at the … More Discipleship: LOSING for Jesus!, Pentecost 12a

Text:Matt 14: 22-33 It was early morning, still mostly dark when “the figure” appeared. Locals report seeing him mysteriously descend from the mountain. They wondered at the time if he could possibly have been human –no one hangs out on the mountain by themselves at night! Too dangerous. “The figure” then walked to the edge … More Doubt: The Ants in the Pants of Faith, Pentecost 9a

Text: Isaiah 55: 1-5 “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” More than once, I’ve bought into things that seemed too good to be true. It takes a little bit of desperation to take a chance on something offering such incredible promise. I walk down the aisles at Rite Aid and … More If it sounds too good to be true… Pentecost 8a

Text: Genesis 1 We humans are created in the image of the Trinity. The life and work of Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee bears this image of the Holy Trinity, our God who celebrates diversity and the drive to be in relationship with and live peaceably with others. A Liberian peace activist, in 2011 … More Created in the Image of the Trinity, Trinity Saturday

SERMON John 21 15-19 Peter & Paul, Apostles b Well…. That was awkward. We’ve all been there. When I was 7 months pregnant, I visited my eye doctor in Maryland for a check up and the receptionist was so excited to see that I was pregnant and to learn all about my journey. She was … More Well, that was awkward! Commemorating Peter and Paul, the Apostles.

Text: Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23 Tomato vines. If there is a single nostalgic scent that captures the essence of my childhood summers, it’s the smell of tilled earth and tomato vines. Growing up in Fawn Grove, a rural small town with more corn fields and fruit orchards than people, summer always meant fresh fruits and vegetables … More Handfuls Upon Handfuls of Grace, Pentecost 5a