Matthew 11:2-11 “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” I wonder what John the Baptist and his disciples were hearing and seeing that led to this question in the first place. Just last Sunday, in our scripture lesson in Matthew 3, John proclaimed that one is coming … Continue reading Facing Disappointment With God’s Work
John 1:6-8, 19-28 I know many of you ready to get to the main event of Christmas 12 days from now. Some people put up Christmas lights the day after Halloween. We went to get our tree on the first Saturday of December because we noticed several Jewish families in the neighborhood were decorating ahead of us. … Continue reading The Power of What You Are Not
This is my first sermon at First Churches, Northampton. I hope to be a regular writer again now that I have settled at a full-time church position. Today we begin a holy conversation. That may not be apparent since I am the one with the microphone and doing all the talking. However, preaching should … Continue reading Mark 6:14:29 “Herod’s Kingdom”
As Christmas draws near, hope abounds. Stores offer discounts raising hopes of giving and getting what we want. Family makes plans to get together, plane tickets are purchased, menus are planned, trees are raised, lights ablaze and our hearts are warmed at the thoughts of a joyful Christmas. Working in a homeless shelter gives me … Continue reading Matthew 11:2-11 “Hope over Disappointment”
There are so many evocative symbols surrounding John the Baptist in the four Gospels. Each gospel emphasizes a different point of view about John the Baptist. Mark and Matthew emphasize the prophetic nature of John, noting that he is out in the wilderness eating locusts and wild honey. They link John the Baptist’s message to … Continue reading John 1:6-8, 19-28 Advent IIIB
With all my soul 