Come and See - Abide With Me
2nd Sunday after Epiphany *When looking at the original Greek, I noticed a word that was repeated over and over again in the Gospel reading of the day – μενω. This can be translated as “remain, stay, abide, live, dwell” and the NRSV picks a different word almost every time it appears here.. but I have taken the liberty of translating it consistently throughout this passage as abide . John 1:29-42 The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Her
This is my child, the Beloved
Baptism of Our Lord Sunday Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 & Matthew 3:13-17 Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. Then God spoke all things into being and saw that it was good (Gen. 1). By the Word of God all things came to be and it was goo
Arise, your light has come!
Epiphany Sunday Today's readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 ; Psalm 72 ; Ephesians 3:1-12 ; Matthew 2:1-12 Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Welcome to the year 2020! I’m afraid to say we’re not off to the best start.. The year 2020, like the last few years, is a time of connection. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to be disconnected or unaware of the tragic things happening in our own backyards AND across the globe. Wh
Merry Christmas, Christ has come!
Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20 Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hallelujah, Christ has come! Jesus Christ was born this night over 2 millennia ago. Children are born everyday, what makes this birth so special, so monumental that we still throw such an elaborate birthday party each year?! Well, two things: the very fact that GOD becomes flesh and, unlike Sally down the street who just had a baby boy, g
The Love of God Incarnate
Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent and we are days away from the birth of Christ. The last three weeks we have lit the candles of hope, peace, and joy on the advent wreath. Today we light the candle of love . The readings of the day are: Isaiah 7:10-16 ; Psalm 80; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 (I recommend at least reading Matthew.. they are linked to the text, just click on them) Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Sermon from Dec.8th, second Sunday in Advent: PEACE Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 ; Psalm 72 ; Romans 15:4-13 ; Matthew 3:1-12 It would be helpful in understanding the sermon to read the Isaiah & Matthew texts.. I have linked the texts with Bible Gateway, so just click on them to read :) ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’ Today John the Baptist burst onto the scene and what a wild and obnoxious one he is! Who is this man of the wilderness who wears weird things and eats we
The Advent of Christ: Judgment & Promise
Sermon from Sunday, Dec. 1st Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Welcome to Advent. Welcome to the beginning of a new church year. Our readings certainly don’t make it feel like the beginning, though do they? Rather they speak of the END, the second coming of Christ. But, aren’t we supposed to be anticipating the first coming of Christ?! “8
World Suicide Prevention Day
It's World Suicide Prevention Day! Maybe it's weird to be upbeat about this day, but honestly I am just so glad that enough people have made enough noise for long enough that the world has taken notice! Also, this day is a day that reminds me/gives me an excuse to take extra care of myself and also tell the ones I love how much I love them. YOU, if you are reading this, I love you and I am so glad that YOU exist. Suicide has been a part of my life since junior high. That was
The Justice System Needs a New Name
"They are Jusef Antron Kevin Raymond and Korey. Those are their names and we need to KNOW them and SAY their names." (Ava DuVernay) Over the last few days I have raged and wept over Ava DuVernay's latest work, "When They See Us.' Ava takes the viewer on a journey through the 'Central Park 5' case through the eyes of the five young boys, wrongly accused of rape and assault in 1989. These BOYS, 14-16 years old, were in the wrong place at the wrong time, running through Cen
Reflections on Sainthood
What a week. October 29th marked 10 years since my father's best friend Mark completed suicide. October 31st was Halloween of course and...
