Canoeing the Mountains (7/30/17)

Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Charles Marion Russel, Corps of Discovery Meet Chinooks on the Lower Columbia, October 1805 

The title of my sermon comes from a book that I’m reading, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. The guiding metaphor for this book is the Lewis and Clark expedition. Lewis and Clark were looking for a water route to the Pacific Ocean. They paddled canoes upstream along the Missouri River. When they got to the Rocky Mountains, they found that they were not equipped for the rest of their journey. Read on, to find out how this relates to Jesus' parables about the kingdom of heaven.

The Fields of the Lord

The Fields of the Lord (7/23/17)

Isaiah 44:6-8; Matthew13:24-30, 36-43

Albin Egger-Lienz, Sower and the Devil

On Sunday, July 23rd, we examined the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds. In my previous sermon, I used a word from the pulpit that I really shouldn't have used. In this sermon, I owned up to my mistake.

Of Seeds and Sowers

Of Seeds and Sowers (7/16/17)

Genesis 25:19-34; Matthew13:1-9, 18-23

 JESUS MAFA, The Parable of the Sower

On Sunday, July 16th, we examined the Parable of the Sower in the Gospel of Matthew. We examined this parable in light of Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25:31-46, and we considered our inability to tell which soil is fertile and which is not.

Yokes and Burdens

Yokes and Burdens (7/9/17)

Matthew11:16-19, 25-30

El Greco, Saint John the Baptist 

On Sunday, July 9th, our Gospel reading included two sections from the Gospel of Matthew. The first part of this passage is a little bit cryptic; when we read it out of context, its meaning isn’t clear. And then the Lectionary skips over a few verses and the lesson concludes with a very comforting thought: Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” We like this Jesus; he’s not so confusing.

Into the Life AND the Work

Into the Life And the Work (6/25/17)

Genesis 21:1-7; Romans6:1b-11

This is Aubrey Jean Couch, and her parents, Jessica and Zach.

On Sunday, June 25th, we celebrated the sacrament of baptism and we introduced Aubrey Jean Couch to her new family at Rehoboth Presbyterian Church. Follow the link to read the text of the sermon. As a bonus, you'll get to see more pictures of this sweet baby girl.

The Laborers Are Few

The Laborers Are Few (6/18/17)

Genesis 18:1-15; Matthew 9:35-10:23

 Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Sara laughing, detail from "Angel Appears to Sarah"

On Sunday, we wrestled with Christ's call to reach out to the lost sheep. Even though we're tired, we are still called to do the work.

A Witness to the Resurrection for Ron Banks

A Witness to the Resurrection for Ron Banks

Ronnie, Josie, Mattie, and Julie Banks

On Monday, June 12, we gathered to say goodbye to our dear friend, Ronnie Banks. Ron played in the Macdonald Pipe Band with my dad for many years. I've known him so long, I don't even remember meeting him. This was the first time I officiated a funeral for someone I've known well and for a very long time.