The Enemy Within (1/28/18)

Deuteronomy 18:15-20;Mark 1:21-28

The "evil" Captain Kirk from "The Enemy Within"

On Sunday, January 28th, we considered the story of Jesus healing a man with an unclean spirit. In this story, the unclean spirit immediately recognizes that Jesus is the Holy One of God—but the text doesn’t tell us if the unclean spirit responded in anger or in fear. I decided to read it both ways, to give a sense of how each response can color our understanding of this story.

Fish Stories (1/21/18)

Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark1:14-20

He Qi, Calling Disciples

On Sunday, January 21st, we heard the story of Jesus calling some of the disciples: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. We also heard part of the story of Jonah. In seminary, I was taught that it was best to preach on just one text. But I think that the story of Jonah really sets up the call story in the Gospel of Mark, so I offered some exegesis of the Jonah story before I read the Gospel lesson. Also, I added some verses to the Lectionary reading, as they offer some important clues about how to read the Jonah story.

Follow Me (1/14/18)

1 Samuel 3:1-10, John1:43-51

On Sunday, January 14th, we heard call stories from 1 Samuel and the Gospel of John. We considered these stories as they related to the call to ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and also in light of some highly inflammatory comments by the president.

Baptized with the Spirit (1/7/18)

Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11

Baptism of Christ, detail

On Sunday, January 7th, we ordained and installed new Ruling Elders and Deacons. We also celebrated the Lord's Supper, the Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord; that's a lot for one Sunday! 

The Greatest Gift (12/24/17)

Isaiah 52:7-10; John1:1-14

He Qi, Glory to God in the Highest

This was my sermon on Christmas Eve. Instead of the familiar birth story in the Gospel of Luke, I decided that we would hear this selection from the prologue to the Gospel of John. I believe that this story invites us to consider where we fit into the Christmas story.

Here I Am (12/24/17)

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke1:26-38

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ecce Ancilla Domini! (Behold the Lord's Servant)

It seems that I've gotten a little behind in posting my sermons. Sunday, December 24th was a busy day; it was the fourth Sunday of Advent and it was Christmas Eve. This is my sermon from the morning service.