Sermons

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” All of our texts today point to God’s abundant care and love for us, the “sheep.” God promises to be our shepherd, the one who provides protection, food, rest and beauty. In turn, we are called the sheep – the ones who follow, get lost and need to […]

As we continue in this season of Easter, today we meet the disciples on the road. Full of questions and wonderings, they meet a stranger and process all that has conspired the last few days – murder, chaos, resurrection – all they had hoped for that did not happen. It is not until the bread […]

Jesus is alive! What wonderful news! Except that the rest of the world hasn’t caught up. There are still reasons – then and now – to be happy and scared, doubting and confident, nervous and at peace, and every other emotion. Jesus comes to help friends and followers to be fully alive with him. Alleluia!   Accompanying Scripture:Acts 2:14a, 22-32; John […]

What we hear today is great news. Yet, “fear” is mentioned four times in the telling of the story. What is so scary about resurrection? Change, even when it gives us wings, IS scary… and exciting.   Accompanying Scripture:Acts 10:34-4; Matthew 28:1-10 

Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem becomes a populist coronation parade. But when the parade ends the streets are a mess, literally and figuratively. On Palm Sunday, we relive the last days of Jesus earthly life again… and are reminded we get to live again with him now. Accompanying Scripture:Isaiah 50:4-9a; Matthew 27:11-54 

They’re Jesus’ closest friends and he disappoints them. They had faith and lost it. If you haven’t been there, it’s only because you haven’t lived long enough or paid enough attention. Life – and death – are beautiful, bewildering, and hard… let’s not do them alone. Accompanying Scripture:Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45 

How did you do on your last eye exam? Jesus meets a man with a disability (blindness) and – without talking to him – heals him. Was the man surprised by what Jesus did to/for him and what he saw afterward? Perhaps he was surprised… and not necessarily pleasantly!  How often do we, conveniently, hang onto our myopia? […]

Jesus meets a woman whose life has been anything but ordinary or easy. They have a conversation that is anything but easy or ordinary. She shares that conversation with her neighbors, and nothing is ordinary or easy again. That’s what living water does: makes life extraordinary… and uneasy.  Accompanying Scripture:Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:5-42 

A very smart and curious man, Nicodemus, is in the dark about who Jesus is and what Jesus is teaching.  Their conversation is confusing to Nicodemus… and to countless generations since then.  My take?  Blessed are the ignorant, for they shall become learners and leaders.   And… woe to those who know enough to be dangerous.  Accompanying […]

As we embark on this journey of lent, we begin with this place of wilderness. From this vantage point, we are forced to ask ourselves who are we? Where do we belong? What matters? As tempting as it is to give in to every hunger, every offer of power or fame . . .in these […]