Consideration of and care for those in need, especially those “at our gate,” those who are visible to us, and those about whom we are aware, is an essential component of Christian discipleship. As followers of Christ, we share our wealth in order that we avoid the snare of wealth. We are to do good, […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Today, we are invited to consider what it means to be “managers” (in Greek, an “oikonomon,” one who manages the economy of a house) of God’s gifts, both those of our lives and of our congregation. Our model of faithfulness in all things is “Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.” […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The grumbling of the religious leaders in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God seeks and saves the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As the writer of 1 Timothy reminds us, “The saying is sure and worthy […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of Christ in holy communion and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.
View the Sermon (PDF)Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.
View the Sermon (PDF)Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites us to follow him alone so that he might bless and renew all of our relationships. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter our faith, and so we run with perseverance the race set before us, always surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, and […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Abraham and Sarah believed God’s promises, and it was reckoned to them as righteousness. Faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is the power to trust in God’s grace today and tomorrow. Faith drives out fear, encouraging us to always be ready to act with God’s steadfast […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Today’s readings remind us of the “vanity” and emptiness of human wisdom and greed. Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who built ever larger barns to store his wealth, planning for his future, rather than using his wealth in the present for others. God said to him, “You fool!” This very night your […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
The readings for today remind us about perseverance in prayer. In prayer we ask, seek and knock, taking all things to God and making conversation with God the center of our lives. God hears and answers prayer and so strengthens all who call upon God’s name. As “the Psalmist writes, When I called, you answered […]
View the Sermon (PDF)