Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
May
13
Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; I John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Today we find ourselves seated at the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples when he drops the bomb. You all know the kind. One sentence and your life is changed for ever. “The test came back positive.” “We’re moving.” “I’m pregnant.” In similar form, Jesus tells [...]
May
06
Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; I John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
Apart from the sweaty nervousness of interacting with those boys and girls who tickle our fancy a bit too much, there is perhaps no more universal feeling for adolescents than that awful longing for a place where we belong. But, for those of us who have no [...]
Apr
22
Luke 24:36-48
Christ is risen.
“He is risen indeed.”
This is the third Sunday of Easter. Easter morning is behind us, but it is still Easter.
It was Easter evening, and we were all there. There with the eleven remaining disciples in that house in Jerusalem. They had invited us; some of us were their friends. Do you remember? [...]
Apr
15
Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; I John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
A few weeks ago, for part of my spring break trip, I went to visit my aunt and uncle and their four young kids in Michigan. At one point I overheard a conversation between my four-year-old cousin, Ellie, and her mom. “Mom, can Niqui ride in the [...]
Apr
08
Mark 16:1-8
In the spring of 1985, I found myself spending a few days with one of my friends and mentors, Dr. Howard Snyder, during his days of pastoring at Chicago’s Irving Park Free Methodist Church. I had just arrived in time for the evening house-meeting when one of the newest members stuck his head into [...]
Apr
01
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 15:1-39
Adam Smith was an 18th century social philosopher who is perhaps most responsible for how Americans understand economics today. Smith is best known for his economic theory of “an invisible hand,” which basically maintains that when an individual pursues her own self-interest, she does what is best for [...]
Mar
25
Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalms 40:5-10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38
Today, March 25, is Annunciation Day. Annunciation means “the act of announcing.” This day is exactly nine months before Christmas day, and it commemorates the day on which the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced to her that she was going to become a mother. Our Scriptures [...]
Feb
26
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; I Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
On Wednesday evening, many of us gathered here in the sanctuary, confessed our sins, and received the ashes with the solemn reminder spoken so solemnly by Dr Hartley … You are from dust, and to dust you shall return.” And with this message, and with sober hearts, [...]
Feb
12
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45
About three weeks ago on the last day of our January interterm trip in Israel, Richard Huston took some of us who hadn’t been there yet to visit the Garden Tomb. We had already visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, but some scholars believe that [...]
Jan
29
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; I Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
I tried for a long time to think of a story to introduce this sermon that perfectly illustrated the forfeiting of liberties for the sake of love. Of course, Jesus is a perfect example, but that’s way too obvious. I continued mulling, but all the thoughts that [...]
