Saturday, December 4, 2010

Happy New Year!: A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent

Happy New Year!
A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44


Happy New Year!

Last week Suzanne directed us to write down our new years resolutions and place them in the offering plate. That’s the way I heard. As we were making our stewardship commitments for the coming year, we were to write down a personal commitment related to our relationship with God or our involvement with the church. We then sealed our notes in envelops and placed them in baskets on the communion table. The notes will be mailed back to us in May so that we can see how well we have done. Suzanne also reminded us that last Sunday was the last Sunday of the church year, and this Sunday, today, marks the beginning of Advent and is the first Sunday of a new Church year. So, that’s why I greeted you, this morning with Happy New Year!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Never Forsaken, Never Alone

Never Forsaken, Never Alone
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15,16

This weekend is a weekend for remembrances. I’m not sure what it is about the end of August. Maybe it’s the effects of a long, hot summer. Maybe I’ve had too much time on my hands as I have recuperated from my own health issues. Preparing for a wedding that was held last night, at Club Continental in Orange Park, I found myself remembering another wedding in the late 70’s, at the end of August. And I remembered the divorce that ended that marriage four years ago, this weekend. But this weekend is about more than one marriage.

Five years ago a storm hit the gulf coast around Louisiana and Mississippi. The hurricane was given the name, Katrina. Remember? Images from New Orleans were devastating and disturbing.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Can You Do Something For Me?

Can You Do Something For Me?
Luke 13:10-17

Walking through a nursing home, one day, I heard a voice calling out. That’s not so unusual. You will often hear people calling out from one corner or from another room. This voice was calling, “Can you do something for me?” I will confess that I did not look around, too hard. At first, not at all. There can be so much need, and with so many residents who are confused or with dementia, you never know what you’re going to get in to. Better to leave it to the staff. Except, I didn’t see any staff around, either. Only the voice kept intruding into my world, “Can you do something for me?”

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Running With Perseverance


Running With Perseverance
Hebrews 11:29-12:2

I debated about using a video to begin my sermon. Would the technology work? Would there be someone who could work the technology? Would the video distract from the central message of the sermon? My intention is to talk a little, today, about spirituality, how we are each on a path that is unique to us. Sometimes the paths may look similar to another, but we are all unique and our spiritual paths are unique. And, as the Hebrews passage encourages us, we are to follow our path, run the race, with perseverance. So, if we can pause for just a moment, I would like to share with you a video, a song, a glimpse at one type of spirituality.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Abounding In Things Not Seen


Abounding in Things Not Seen
Hebrews 11:1-12

Do you believe that we are surrounded by things unseen? Consider these comments that I have either said or heard at one time or another: Mom, where are my socks? Hey Dear, have you seen my car keys? I could have sworn there was leftover pizza in the fridge, but I swear I can’t see it now? Where is that blasted tv remote?

You know, we are surrounded by things unseen! Sometimes the things unseen are right in front of us, but for whatever reason our focus doesn’t let us pick them up.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

First Priorities




The First Priority Centers Everything Else
Luke 7:51-62


There are certain comedians who have a way of putting things into perspective. Remember the Carol Burnett Show? Carol, with Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, and Vicki Lawrence. They could take such mundane events and turn them into an hilarious sketch;  

Sunday, June 13, 2010


Radical Hospitality
Luke 7:36-8:3


Last week I talked about Compassion. This week, it is Hospitality.
Here in the South, we have a strong tradition of showing hospitality. Our usual idea of hospitality is to be a good host - offering our guests comforts of our home. 

I would suspect that anyone who has lived in the South for very long has at least one story of a time that they were shown great hospitality, or perhaps when hospitality went a bit far. Like the poor fellow who was trying to be a good guest.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Miracles Begin With Compassion

Miracles Begin With Compassion
Luke 7:11-17

Miracles. We would all like to have a miracle or two. Remember the Christmas musical we did this past Christmas? One of our friends from Middleburg captured the musical on video. She was sitting right up front where she could get a very good view. It was a lot of fun reviewing that production. One of my favorite scenes was when we were looking for miracles. "Everybody could use a miracle or two!"

Monday, May 17, 2010

Branding the Church 
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

[With the reading of the scripture lesson, I pointed out that last verse, which reads "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints" could also be read, "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all. Amen."]

Branding is a marketing term. Helping potential customers become familiar with your brand and what it means.