Sermon: Four Reasons to Hymn-Sing Your Heart Out

Congregational singing is remarkable, a gospel response to the world’s brokenness.

Sermon: Legion vs. Love

Which issue will you choose as the demon that drove the Orlando massacre? Homophobia? Muslim extremism? Mental illness? Racism? Choose your demon. They are legion.

Sermon: God Who Sees

A note before reading: This sermon addresses violence against women.  It wasn't easy to write or to preach, and I couldn't have done it without the support of an amazing community of religious leaders, many of whom are young female clergy.  This sermon owes a lot to one in particular, the Rev. Jennie Chrien.  Read …

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Sermon: Holy Trinity, Batman!

Those of you who read the “Mini”-tarian this week may remember that I called today, Holy Trinity Sunday, my least favorite Sunday on which to preach.  Not because I don’t like the doctrine of the Trinity—I love the doctrine of the Trinity.  It’s just that it’s really super hard to preach on the Trinity without …

Sermon: Dear Holy Spirit…

A year of letters to the Holy Spirit, wherein it becomes clear that I have no idea what I'm doing, and God can work with that.

Sermon: Be Thou My Vision

Why did Jesus have to ascend, anyway? Wouldn’t it be delightful if he were still walking with us on the road to Emmaus, and eating breakfast with us on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and comforting us in our moments of doubt by reaching wounded hands out to us? Wouldn’t that be…better?

Sermon: Homecoming Light

Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen. [For my children’s sermon, I was going to point out the eternal light burning in the sanctuary, and talk about how the light symbolizes Christ’s presence in the sanctuary.  But no kids came up!  So the adults got …

Sermon: Sea Monsters as Worship Leaders and Other Signs of God’s Genius

Easter 5C sermon 2016 Psalm 148; Revelation 21 Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Last Sunday evening, as you all probably know, I was at an interfaith blessing of the waters. There were these parts in the service where participants poured pitchers of …

Sermon: Have no fear, little flock

Easter 4C sermon 2016 Good Shepherd Sunday John 10:22-30 When I was thirteen years old and about to get confirmed, I called a special meeting with my pastor. “I don’t know if I can do it,” I said. “I don’t know if I can commit to believing that Jesus is God’s Son for the rest …

Sermon: Breakfast with Jesus

  Easter 3C sermon 2016 John 21:1-19 Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Pulpit pop quiz, my friends! Who can remind us all what last week’s gospel story was? [Doubting Thomas.] Yes indeed! Doubting Thomas. Now, if you will recall, Jesus gets a lot …