Matthew 25:31-46 This weekend, here at St. James, alongside of Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and other Protestant churches across the globe, we observe the Feast day of Christ the King. It is the observance of the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the period of time in the Church calendar outside our major seasons, just before we … More Christ the King

Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 19 November 2017 (Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 Psalm 90 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25: 14-30) “Risky Business!” If you heard my sermon last week, you may remember that I pleaded with you not to take the parables we find in the Gospels and keep beating them with a hose until there is … More “Risky Business!”

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost 12 November 2017 (Amos 5:18-24 Psalm 70 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25: 1-13) “The Bridegroom is Coming!” “The Kingdom of Heaven will be like this,” says Jesus, and then he tells them a parable about ten bridesmaids. Now I know this image may be a really good image of The Kingdom … More “The Bridegroom Is Coming!”

Matthew 5:1-12 All Saints 2017 What is a saint? In his book entitled, “Lives of the Saints”, late Catholic priest and Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Rev. Richard McBrein, describes that, “Saints are holy people. Because God alone is holy, to be a saint is to participate in, and to be … More Blessed are the saints

Matthew 22:15-22 October 21 and 22, 2017 Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?” WHAT??? Are you kidding? Of course, it’s lawful to pay taxes to the emperor! Not only is it lawful, it’s mandatory, required. Every adult male must pay a head tax to the emperor. … More Giving to God what is God’s

Matthew 22:1-14 Boy, Pastor Mike picked a good time to go away. He swears he doesn’t look at the texts before he puts our preaching schedule together… I’m not convinced… As with our texts from last week, our readings for today, speak to violence, murder, and division, and of expectations, of who is in and … More Response to Grace