Be Holy? Be Perfect? Who Me?

Be Holy? Be Perfect? Who Me?

Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18; Matthew 32 5:38-48

Some years ago there was a little country church with a pastor who had a dog and the folks of the church loved the dog as much as their pastor. The dog was a seeing eye dog, or a service dog, who helped the pastor who was totally blind. The dog would lead the pastor on visitation calls. The dog would be with the pastor in his office; would be present  for various church events; he even took part in worship.

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!

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.

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?”

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.