Sermons

Perhaps you have had a major change in your life.  It could be positive: a move, a change in appearance, a loss of weight, a gain of energy, the ability to quit an annoying habit or addiction, or maybe just a slow maturation in your spirit that allows you to be less reactive and more… [Read More]

I read somewhere that the actress Jane Fonda has given up on plastic surgery.  At age 82, she has finally had enough.  In an interview with Elle Canada, she said, “I can’t pretend that I’m not vain, but there isn’t going to be any more plastic surgery—I’m not going to cut myself up anymore…I have… [Read More]

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Some words lose their meaning because they are overused.  We are approaching Valentine’s Day and for those of you out shopping for the perfect sentiment, you know how difficult it is to convey the ups and downs of a covenant, a marriage, a friendship, or the love of your child in the way that someone… [Read More]

A sermon for the people of God at Bethesda United Church of Christ Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:22 INTRODUCTION The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) each have a version of this story – of fishermen leaving behind their nets to follow this itinerant rabbi who invites… [Read More]

What are your names and how are you known?  These may seem like the same question, but they are not exactly.  Our given name may or may not reflect how we are known.  In addition to our given names, we may be known by our nick names, terms of endearment, or other names that might… [Read More]

Our story begins, “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.  John would have prevented him…” It’s a phrase worth lingering over.  “John would have prevented him…”  The powerful John initially stops Jesus in his tracks on the banks of the Jordan.  “No, no,” John says.  You can… [Read More]

Have you ever walked into a room only to forget the reason why you came?  You walk downstairs and all of the sudden whatever seemed so pressing, so urgent, simply evaporates into thin air.  You frantically search in your mind for whatever it was that brought you into this place and at this particular time… [Read More]

The other day, I was here at church and working at my desk.  Before I left for the evening, I went to find our custodian, Doris, to let her know that I would be leaving the building and to lock up.  I found her cleaning in the back hallway and she briefly paused in her… [Read More]