Posts from 2017

• A Larger Story by Todd Edmondson (1/4/2017)
  The Baptism of the Lord Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 One of the blessings of pastoral ministry is the chance to be a part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives. To stand with a couple on their wedding day or to gather with a family as they say goodbye to a loved one, to speak words of scripture and offer up prayers during these times—these can be powerful and significant opportunities to share in the lives of those we serve. As many pastors would likely attest, these moments are special not just because of the ceremonies themselves, but because of the way they connect to som...
• I Pledge Allegiance by Timothy W. Ross (1/10/2017)
  Second Sunday after Epiphany Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 These days our problems in the US seem endemic and intractable: the scars of war, trillions of dollars in deficits, violence in our cities, struggling schools, families falling apart, looming environmental catastrophe. But, like clockwork, every four years, The Great One comes to us like a gift from heaven. Next week we inaugurate a new president. We had such high hopes for our last president. He was good looking, cool, smart. He had a beautiful family. He read books. He shot threes. He spoke in comple...
• Christ's Mind in Us by Dan McClain (1/20/2017)
  In the Episcopal Church, the collect for the third Sunday after Epiphany focuses our attention on the task of preaching the Gospel. “Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” As Christians, we are called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. And in so doing, we pray that we and the world will see God’s glory. This is a hopeful prayer, and we all need hope. The readings appointed for this Sunday are full of hope in God’s work through us. Isaiah (9:1–4) prophecies that Galilee will be the site in which God’s glory becomes...
• The Day the Circus Left Town by Jim McCoy (1/26/2017)
  Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 I Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12

  Are we still of any use? What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straightforward [human beings]. Will our inward power of resistance be strong enough, and our honesty with ourselves remorseless enough, for us to find our way back to simplicity and straightforwardness?

• More Righteous than the Scribes and Pharisees by Stephen Fowl (1/31/2017)
  Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 58:1-12 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Matthew 5:13-20 In a world where ever more people think of themselves as “spiritual but not religious,” one may be suspicious of any serious concern with and reflection on ritual observance. That suspicion may draw some energy from this Sunday’s reading from Isaiah 58. The people of God to whom Isaiah shouts out like a trumpet seem genuinely baffled by the criticisms lodged against them. Their ritual observance seems to have been devout. They seek God. They “delight to know [God’s] ways.” They fast, humble themselves...
• Belonging to Christ by Shannon Schaefer (2/9/2017)
  Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 In the days after the American election results, it was one of the big questions lingering in the air, a question I heard in prayer requests at church, whispered from downcast friends, and even bubbling up from some deep place in me: How do I talk to my family in this post-election moment? The concern stretched beyond the boundaries of family, to friends, and even neighbors. As a good friend said that first week, “I don’t know who my neighbors are, and I’m pretty sure they don’t know who I am either.” ...
• Given Lives in a Given World by Ragan Sutterfield (2/14/2017)
  Seventh Sunday After the Epiphany Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 Matthew 5:38-48 In his essay, “Two Economies,” writer and farmer Wendell Berry recounts an exchange with his friend Wes Jackson.  The two were struggling to come up with an economy that would more appropriately value what is valuable since the money economy was clearly failing on that account.  Berry suggested that perhaps an economy based on energy rather than money would be more comprehensive, but Jackson rejected that measure as still too small.  Frustrated, Berry asked Jackson what economy would be large enough.  Jackson replied, “the Kingdom of God.” As we...
• As We Watch by Brian Volck (2/23/2017)
  Transfiguration Sunday Exodus 24:12-18 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 "...for Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his To the Father through the features of men's faces." - Gerard Manley Hopkins The Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated August 6, yet the gospel passage itself is closely associated with the beginning of Lent. The Revised Common Lectionary proclaims it on the Sunday before Lent while the Catholic Lectionary does so on the Second Sunday of Lent. Both lectionaries give the First Sunday of Lent over to the temptation of Jesus in the de...