Text: Matthew 4:12-23 (Jesus begins his ministry) Call and response is a practice in which a leader interacts with a crowd using familiar phrases. Most Sundays when I come to the pulpit I say, “May the peace of Christ be with you,” and you respond “and also with you.” That’s call and response. When I … [Read more…]
Text: Matthew 3:13-17 (John baptizes Jesus) “Remember your baptism!” preachers often exclaim. And having just heard about the baptism of Jesus, this might seem like an appropriate day to do so. But what if you were baptized as infant? I have precious few memories from before the age of five and none from before the … [Read more…]
Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (the Magi follow a Star to Bethlehem) In the dark months of winter, the church directs us to focus on light — first in the season of Christmas and now in the season of Epiphany. I appreciate this, and never more than this winter when recent political events have darkened my vision … [Read more…]
Text: Matthew 2:13-23 (the Slaughter of the Innocents) Today’s reading from Matthew is not one that leads easily to “Merry Christmas!” Paula Simons, writing on December 23 in the Edmonton Journal about the dangers faced by children today, began by recounting Matthew’s story of what happened after the First Christmas. In her column, she noted … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 2:21-40 (Jesus is named at the Temple) — this is a short reflection presented on Christmas morning, December 25, 2016 In today’s reading from Luke, an old man named Simeon is prompted by the Spirit to go to the Temple in Jerusalem right after the first Christmas. When he gets there, he meets … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 2:1-20 (the birth of Jesus) Friends, with joy we have returned to Christmas Eve. Three hundred and sixty-six days after we last celebrated the occasion, we have gathered again to drink in the mystery of what is a favourite evening for many of us. Christmas is dear to my heart; and this was … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:57-80 (the birth of John the Baptist) Advent is a journey towards Christmas with its promises of love and abundance. Our souls long for the family gatherings, food, and beautiful winter vistas of an ideal Christmas. But the journey itself has its own joyous rewards. Christmas and Advent are about comfort and joy. … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:26-56 (the miraculous conception of Jesus) Churches like Mill Woods United spend a lot of time disseminating news. We maintain a website and a presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We send out a weekly e-newsletter called “What’s the Buzz.” We produce the Morning Messenger news bulletin every week. … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:5-25 (the miraculous conception of John the Baptist) What does the biblical expression “Here I am” signify? Several key figures in the Hebrew Scriptures repeat it. Abraham says “Here I am” in Genesis when YHWH orders him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Jacob says “Here I am” when an angel calls to him … [Read more…]
Text: “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver * context: a sermon given at the 40th anniversary service of Mill Woods United Do you remember what you were doing on the evening of November 14, 1976? Everyone under the age of 45 is excused from answering, of course. Then there are the 13 of us here … [Read more…]