Text: John 6 (The Bread of Life) For some people, their first communion is also their last. This was the case for many of Jesus’ followers in today’s reading from John. After a miraculous meal that Jesus had prepared for them from a few loaves and fish, they broke away from Jesus because of his … [Read more…]
Text: John 3:1-17 (being born from above) — a sermon for “Trinity Sunday” Last week’s Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle contained many memorable moments. One feature I didn’t love was the frequency with which the Trinitarian phrase “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 2:1-21 (the day of Pentecost) Yesterday’s Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle felt a bit like Pentecost to me. A Gospel choir sang “Stand By Me” in St. George’s Chapel of Windsor Castle. The Most Rev. Michael Curry — the first African-American to be the presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 9:1-31 (the conversion of Saul) When I first came to Mill Woods United Church on Monday, September 16, 2013, I was encouraged by a plaque on the wall near the main entrance. It notes that this building was dedicated 25 years ago this past Wednesday, on May 2, 1993, by the then Moderator … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 8:26-40 (Philip baptizes an Ethiopian Eunuch) Hospitality is risky. The act of welcoming guests, visitors, and newcomers into our homes can get us in trouble. When we open your hearts to somebody new, we risk being changed by their perspectives. We risk altering the path of our life. The University of Alberta is … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 2:14-41 (Peter preaches in Jerusalem) If someone says you’re being preachy, that’s not a complement. If they say you tend to sermonize, that’s a complaint. Preaching used to be held in high esteem. Preachers were wise elders to whom the community turned for guidance. Now, we are often put in the same category … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37 (sharing everything in common) When I was a child, I was fascinated by Hippies. Starting at age 11 in 1968, I let my hair grow long. I was trying to emulate the long hairs I had seen on the news during the 1967 “Summer of Love” in San Francisco … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 17:16-33 (“To an unknown god”) “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” This is how a 1647 Catechism of the Presbyterian church begins; and this phrase has been a touchstone for Presbyterians ever since, including in the United Church of Canada. Presbyterians were the largest group that formed … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 16:1-8 (the empty tomb) “The women fled from the tomb in terror and amazement and said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” What kind of a way is this for Mark to end his Gospel? If the three women flee from the tomb and tell no one, then how does Mark ever … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 14 and 15 (the trials and crucifixion of Jesus) “We are an Easter people living in a Good Friday world” – or so say the Eeyore’s among us. Every week in church, we proclaim love and new life even as wars rage around us, scoundrels rule the nations, and poverty blights the world. … [Read more…]