Sermons

You may not remember Nathanael from the bible.  You might not remember that he was a friend of Philip’s from Bethsaida, which I can’t help reading as “Bethesda.”  You might not remember this passage from the gospel of John where Jesus calls both Philip and Nathanael to his mission and ministry. An excited Philip runs… [Read More]

There are many ways to fall.  We can fall into and out of love; we can fall for spam and schemes; we can fall into or out of favor, and we can physically fall down (or even up).  Theologically and religiously speaking, we can fall into sin or fall from grace, though the latter is… [Read More]

When I was a girl, I remember reaching high for things on the upper shelves of stores and the like.  Years ago, they used to put children’s books on a long metal rack in the middle of the cereal aisle and they were just within reach of kids who might want to read a book… [Read More]

Maybe you have felt like you have been exiled this entire year.  Maybe because of upheaval in your work life or your retired life or your family life, you have been in a constant state of uncertainty, flux, and anxiety.  Perhaps you feel as if you’ve been away from the familiar, away from any kind… [Read More]

Some things just won’t get done.  Can we just admit that right at the beginning of this build-up to Christmas and save ourselves and our loved ones some strain, stress, argument, and worry?  Some things just won’t get ordered, or if ordered, they will come late or not at all because, well, we are in… [Read More]

There really should be a third option.  How many of you get frustrated when things appear to be either one way or another, with no middle way, no third possibility, no gray areas, no wiggle room—either THIS or THAT?  Remember those multiple-choice personality tests?  Remember trying to figure out if you were more “A” or… [Read More]

Then the kingdom of heaven, the coming of the Son of Man, will be like this… So begins our parable for this morning about five foolish bridesmaids and five wise bridesmaids.  The bridegroom is late; well, not exactly late—just not yet arrived.  He’s been expected—but he’s taking his time in getting to the bride’s home. … [Read More]