Good Friday

Readings: Genesis 37:1-4,12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Mathew 14: 22-33 This morning’s sermon grows out of reflection on two Biblical figures in our readings today—Joseph from our Old Testament reading, and Peter from our Gospel reading.  Joseph is called a dreamer by his brothers, and Peter is portrayed as a risk taker who…

Readings — Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Mathew 4:1-11 Today, we begin the First Sunday in Lent with the Great Litany of 1544.  Thomas Cranmer composed the first version of this prayer at the request of King Henry VIII as England faced war with France.  Prior to this prayer in English, all liturgy…

Readings – Numbers 21: 4-9; Psalm 107: 1-3,17-22; Ephesians 2: 1-10; John 3: 14-21 Today’s reading from Numbers 21 is a challenge. The Egypt-fleeing tribes of Hebrews were thoroughly discouraged.  Aaron, their high priest, had died.  The kings of Edom and Arad had rejected Moses’ request for travel through their kingdoms.  And they were tired…

Reading: Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137; II Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10 St. Paul from a Roman prison wrote to a young Timothy: God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power, and of love, and of self-discipline. We gather today and every Sunday to be renewed, to have the Spirit…

Readings – I Samuel 8: 4-20, 11: 14-15; Psalm 138; II Corinthians 4: 13-5:1; Mark 3: 20-35 Last week we learned of Eli, priest of the temple in Shechem, whose sons had abandoned faithful living.  This week we learn of his successor, Samuel, as the text states, “your sons do not follow in your ways”. …