Readings—Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 99; II Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 On this last Sunday after the Epiphany, the season that celebrates the infant of light coming into the world in a stable in Bethlehem, we conclude with the Gospel according to St. Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration. On a mountaintop, Jesus shone brilliantly, accompanied by Peter,…
Readings – Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 The author St. Luke has jam packed this mornings Gospel reading with meaning. First is the Jewish rite of purification of women following childbirth. At forty days following the birth of a boy, and eighty days after the birth of a girl, the mother was…
Readings – Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; I Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 This morning’s reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew is where we begin today. It is immediately recognized as the Sermon on the Mount. St. Luke has a similar passage called the Sermon on the Plain. Scholars tell us that both texts are…
Readings – Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40: 1-12; I Corinthians 1: 1-9; John 1: 29-42 This week I have been thinking about and praying for the people of Ukraine. If you want a picture of evil, just watch what the Russians are doing to them. They are striking the utilities, gas, water, and electricity, and slowly…
Readings – Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 This morning as we celebrate the Epiphany, there are four life-enhancing elements for all of our lives in these twelve brief verses. Let’s begin with being alert to our surroundings beyond our routine, and our everyday bubble. How do we expand our horizons? I…
Readings—Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 8; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 2:15-21 Holy Name Day is the celebration of the circumcision of the child of Mary and Joseph, marking and welcoming him into the People of God of ancient times. Eight days after birth he is named by his father, “Jesus”, “God saves”. In our times it is through…
Readings – Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:1-14; Luke 2:1-20 There is a French proverb that Voltaire was fond of stating- L’enemi du bien est le bien. (The perfect is the enemy of the good.) Winston Churchill wrote in a similar vein- Perfection is the enemy of progress. If we pursue only the perfect, we…
Readings – Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 We are all most familiar with the birth narrative from the Gospel according to St. Luke with a visit by Gabriel, a visit by Mary to Elizabeth, a stable behind an inn, and a manger, with shepherds, and with angels singing. The birth narrative…
Readings – Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3: 1-12 I truly enjoy greeting you all as you arrive for worship on Sunday, and greeting by wave to those traveling north and south along Market Street. But did you know that until about two years ago I enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels…
Readings – Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 Mr. Schmid. Mr. Schmid was my high school American History teacher, 10th grade, 6th period, next to the last period of the day. Each night we had a reading assignment for the next day’s class. We also knew that we better do it because he…