CHRISTMAS EVE 5 PM FAMILY SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION, 12.24.2015 Readings: The Epistle: Titus 2:11-15 The Gospel: St. Luke 2:1-14 INTRODUCTION Many people take Christmas for granted. But not all Christians have favored its celebration. For example, the Puritans in England under Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) outlawed Christmas because they believed Read more…
INTRODUCTION The following conversation was heard between an old farmer in the country and the new parson. “Do you belong to the Christian family?” asked the minister. “No, they live two farms down,” replied the farmer. “No, no, I mean are you lost?” “Lost? Why, I’ve lived here thirty years.” Read more…
Sermon for Morning Prayer on Sunday October 25th, 2015, the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity The Lessons: Psalm 34:1-8; Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Hebrews 7:23-28 Text: “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God Read more…
Sermon for the Festival of St. Luke the Evangelist on Sunday October 18th, 2015 The Lessons: Ecclesiasticus 38:1-4, 6-10, 12-14; Psalm 147:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:5-13; Luke 4:14-21 Text: Luke 4:14-21 Theme: The healing ministry of the Holy Spirit INTRODUCTION One of the most famous musicians of the nineteenth century was Read more…
Sermon for Sunday October 11th, 2015, the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Text for Sermon: Hebrews 4:12-16 Theme: The searching power of God’s word and the throne of grace INTRODUCTION When the new technology of high-definition television came on the scene, it had an immediate effect on how things were done Read more…
Sermon for Sunday September 27th, 2015, the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity The Lessons: Psalm 19:7-14; Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 5:13-20 Text: James 5:13-20 Theme: The power of God at work through prayer INTRODUCTION Have you ever thought about how God’s power is at work through prayer? While very ill, Read more…
Sermon for Sunday September 20th, 2015, the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity The Lessons: Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1, James 3:13 – 4:8, St. Mark 9:30-37 Text: James 3:13 – 3:18 Theme: Living by heavenly wisdom INTRODUCTION The young couple invited their aged pastor for Sunday dinner. While they were in the Read more…
Sermon for Morning Prayer on September 13th, 2015, the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity The Lessons: Psalm 19, Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12 TEXT & THEME: James 3:1-12: controlling the tongue INTRODUCTION More than a thousand firefighters battled a wildfire for two weeks in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The fire Read more…
Sermon for Sunday September 6th, 2015, the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity The Lessons: Isaiah 35:4-7a, Psalm 146, James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37 Text: James 2:14-17 Theme: The need for our faith in God to be apparent from our behavior and actions INTRODUCTION An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for Read more…
Sermon for Sunday August 30th, 2015, the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity The Lessons: Deuteronomy 4:1-9, Psalm 15, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-9, 14-23 Theme: James 1:19-21: The Lord’s command to control anger INTRODUCTION The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote, “Now we praise a man who feels anger on the right grounds Read more…