The Sunday Sermon: Our Mission at Dorcas House

 Acts 9:36-42; Philippians 2:1-13; Psalm 25: 1-8; Matthew 21:23-32 In the name of God: Creator, Redeemer And Sanctifier. Amen  As you know, this weekend is devoted to sharing the art work, writings and lives of the children of Dorcas House, the foster home in Tijuana supported by us, and people both within and outside of … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: How Many Times should I Forgive?

Annie Dillard describes church as a dangerous place, a place where we should wear hard hats and lash ourselves to the pews lest God’s power should sweep us away and turn our worlds upside down. When we read something like this passage from Matthew’s Gospel, I start looking for my hard hat. As it happens, … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Seeing Another as Christ Sees Us

Over Labor Day weekend we traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to visit good friends from seminary. We had a great time, partly because our daughter Robin is best friends with their daughter, Mary Bentley. They had a blast playing together, except when they didn’t. I can’t tell you how many times I heard: “I’m sorry, Robin.” … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Who do people say that we are?

Welcome to the scenic resort of Caesarea Philippi. In our guided Gospel tour of the Holy Land, we have now arrived at the northernmost point in our journey with Jesus. It’s literally a turning point in the Gospel. From here he will turn south and head for Jerusalem. But at this hinge moment he talks … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon:Give Us Peace in Our Time

Sermon – Ninth Sunday After Pentecost Genesis 37:14, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22; Romans 12:9-18; John 20:19-23 In the Name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Theodore VanKirk died two weeks ago. He was the last surviving member of the crew that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.  … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: The Leaven in the Lump

 When I started thinking about today’s sermon, a couple of weeks ago, I had in mind a celebration of the ways the world has opened up to women and other oppressed groups. This week we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ordination of the first 11 women to the Episcopal priesthood, an act which was … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Unnecessary Abundance

When I was young and newly married, thirty-some years ago, I thought it might be fun to have twins, to watch how they would grow and how they would interact in the mysterious ways that twins have. Then I had one baby and quickly decided that one at a time was quite enough of a … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: The Rest in Good Work

Happy Independence Day weekend! We live in an incredible country, to be sure. These days, as nation after nation succumbs to violence, often in the wake of elections, I am deeply grateful for the willingness of Americans to transfer power peacefully, even to those with whom we disagree. It is right and proper to celebrate … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Which God?

Today the Episcopal Church invites us to find ways to highlight the use of social media in our faith life. Social media technology offers us new ways to share the Gospel with our friends, to show what church looks like, to pass along a word of comfort, grief, or challenge to those who are dear … READ MORE…