Tending God's Vineyard
World Communion Sunday October 4th 2026 Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7 & Matthew 21:33-46 Today’s scripture readings share the metaphor that God has created a vineyard. Creator God has put a lot of labor, thought, and love into this creation and turned it over to humans to steward, in trust that they will produce fruit; multiplying God’s creation. At the time both scriptures were written, the idea was that God turned God’s beloved creation over to the Israelites to steward. The le
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
September 27th 2026 Scripture: Phil. 2:1-13 & Matthew 21:23-32 Today’s sermon was difficult to write, but not because I couldn’t grasp the gospel message, but rather because it seemed so simple and straight forward that I struggled to write more than one sentence. Actions speak louder than words. That’s the message! It’s really, honestly, that simple! Actions speak louder than words. Or in the words of St. Francis, “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
Are you Resentful of a Generous God?
September 20th 2026 Scripture: Jonah 3:10 - 4:11 & Matthew 20:1-16 Both of our readings this morning are tied together by a simple question, a question GOD poses to all of US: “Are you resentful because I am generous?” This might sound silly at first. You might scoff at such a thought; your first instinct might be to deny – ‘of course not, God! That’s ridiculous!’ But if we sit with that question a moment longer.. allow it to settle in.. allow ourselves to examine our deepest
Judgment and Forgivness
September 15th 2026 Scripture: Romans 14:1-13 & Matthew 18:21-35 The texts this morning are rich in wisdom on how we live together. I chose the First Nation’s Translation of Romans not only because we are about to be in Native American History month, but because of the way it more accurately translates ‘brother and sister’ as ‘sacred family.’ We are all part of one big sacred family.. and if we can begin to speak and believe this to be true, we will hopefully begin to act as
A Place for Everyone
August 23rd, 2026 Scripture: Romans 12:1-8 & Matthew 15:21-28 (you definitely need to read this in order for the sermon to make sense) For those of you who’ve known me for awhile, you know how much I LOVE dogs. I, myself, have two dogs which are part of my family. They’re more like children to me than mere pets. They’re mostly freeloaders, but they do help out around the house sometimes. Their only chore is vacuuming; they’re very good at sucking up any food that I’ve dropp
Living from the Heart
Confirmation Sunday August 16th 2026 Scripture: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-36 & Matthew 15:10-20 When we celebrate baptism or affirmations of baptism, we are invited to recall all of the miraculous ways God has used water in order to show God’s unconditional love and salvation. In the beginning, God’s Spirit moved over the waters and God’s Word spoke all things into being. Early on, a flood devastated the world and God promised never to destroy humanity again. When the Israelites f
Walking on Water
August 9th 2026 Scripture: Psalm 85:8-13 & Matthew 14:22-33 Today’s gospel story picks up where last week’s story left off. You may recall that last week, Jesus was on his way to take some time alone, likely to grieve the murder of John the Baptist, when he got distracted by a crowd of thousands who gathered on the shore, seeking healing. Jesus had compassion on them and fed them dinner with just two loaves and 5 fish. Now he’s back it at again, trying to get that alone tim
Wrestling with the God who Feeds 5000+
August 2nd 2026 Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31 & Matthew 14:13-21 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they will have their fill!’ I’m sure that these words from Jesus’ sermon on the mount were ringing throughout crowd as 5 loaves and 2 fish turned into a feast for thousands. This story of the blessing of abundant food, given without being asked for or demanded, makes an interesting contrast to our first reading, where Jacob engaged in an all-night wrestling match for
The Kingdom of Heaven is Like..
9th Sunday after Pentecost July 25th 2026 Scripture: Romans 8:26-39 & Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, yeast that makes dough rise, hidden treasure or a pearl you’d trade in everything you own to possess, and like a net dragging everything to shore it can hold. These are really odd metaphors to compare to the kingdom of God.. some of them don’t even seem to make sense together. And yet, they all tell us that the kingdom of God is present
Let Them Grow Side by Side
Parable of Wheat and Weeds July 19th 2026 Scripture: Romans 8:12-25 & Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 How do we know what is good and what is bad? Who gets to decide? Especially when what is good for some is bad for others and vice versa, depending on a LOT of factors, for example, biology, where you were raised, in what culture and environment you were raised in, and what religion or spiritual understanding you were taught. I’ve sometimes been told that I think in too big
