University Baptist Church, Austin, Texas Readings for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost: Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 I’m visiting Gina at the State Hospital one day back when she’s training chaplains there. As I’m waiting for her to get free, one of
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis, Minn. Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 22:1-14, Matthew 10:40-42 Anyone who has ever listened to radio has heard the test of the Emergency Broadcast System in which the announcer says, “This is a test. This is
St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn. Reading for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Matthew 10:40-42 Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is oftentimes the task of a pastor to spend a
Virginia-Highland Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga. Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, Psalm 15-16, I Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 Perhaps the greatest difficulty in writing today’s sermon was in choosing a proper introduction, finding ways to be witty and humorous while
Mount Hollywood Congregational Church, Los Angeles, Calif. Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter: Psalm 46 NIV, Luke 24:13-31 When a piece of exercise equipment called the Stairmaster was first marketed, I was incredulous. Here was this advertisement for a machine that simulated stair climbing,
Delivered at the UFMCC Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Ariz. Reading for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost: Matthew 14:22-33 NIV Excellence in Ministry! I have a calligraphy piece in my office that has called me back to the voice of the spirit, has challenged me and
Trinity River Church, Minneapolis, Minn. Readings for Christ the King Sunday (26th Sunday after Pentecost): Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Turkey. Stuffing. Potatoes (Mashed or Sweet). Cranberries. Pumpkin Pie. Football. Nap. Leftovers. Thanksgiving will be here in a few days, and there is
First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Calif. Readings for the Third Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 18:1-15, Romans 5:1-8 It is remarkable and fitting that on the day we dedicate to remembering our fathers, we should hear a story about Abraham, whose name means “Father of a
First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Calif. Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: Matthew 1:18-25 The day has come. Christmas Eve. We have waited and it has arrived, as it does every year, on time. Whether it seems early or late, to have come quickly