A New Reformation (10/29/17)

John 8:31-36; Matthew 22:34-46

These reconstructed doors commemorate Martin Luther's 95 Theses.

Castle Church, Wittenberg, Germany

On Sunday, I called for a new Reformation. There's a lot of hubris in that call. I admit it. Who an I to call for a new Reformation? Then again, who was Martin Luther? Read on to learn more about this new Reformation.

Greenfield Presbyterian Church: Give Therefore to God (10/22/17)

Isaiah 45:1-7; Matthew 22:15-22

Greenfield Presbyterian Church

For the last two years I have moderated the Session of Greenfield Presbyterian Church. They worshiped at 4:30 on Sunday afternoons, so I was able to serve as pulpit supply for them, while also serving as the Interim Pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church of Houston, PA (from September 2015 through August 2016) and Rehoboth Presbyterian Church in Belle Vernon (beginning in October 2016). On Sunday, October 22nd, Greenfield Presbyterian held its final service of worship; the congregation has been dissolved. It was a bittersweet day.

Give Therefore to God (10/22/17)

Isaiah 45:1-7; Matthew 22:15-22

Jacek Malczewski, The Tribute Money

On Sunday, October 22nd, we talked about stewardship, and some of the ways that we come up short. I had trouble picking out a title for this sermon. "Render unto Caesar" was my working title, but that didn't fit with where the message was going.

A Little Bit of History (10/15/17)

Exodus 32:1-14; Matthew 22:1-14

  The Dance of the Golden Calf from the Hortus Deliciarum

Sunday, October 15th was my first Sunday back in the pulpit after my trip to Germany. In this sermon I related some of the things that I saw in Germany to the story of the golden calf. Many thanks to my dear friends, the Revs. Sylvia Carlson and Susan Rothenberg for covering the pulpit while I was gone.

Confirmation Bias (9/24/17)

Exodus 16:2-15; Matthew 20:1-16

Hank Greenberg played first base and outfield for the Detroit Tigers in the 1930s and 1940s, before finishing his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1937. He was one of the first Jewish superstars in professional sports. 

I was away on vacation for a couple weeks; this was the last sermon I preached before I left for my vacation to Germany. The sermon includes a story about Hank Greenberg that I heard on the radio on my way home from a presbytery meeting. If you have some time, please listen to that story, too. The link is in the text of my sermon.