John 11:1-45 Our text this morning plays a central role in John’s gospel, providing a bridge between the story of Jesus’s public ministry in the first ten chapters and the account of what John calls “Jesus’ hour”—that is, his death, resurrection and ascension—in the final ten chapters. Hear, now, John’s narrative of the raising of […]
John 9:1-41: Our text this morning is part of a wonderful story, the story of the man born blind from the ninth chapter of John’s gospel. It’s been called “a one-act play in six scenes,” and it’s one of the great narratives of the Bible. It’s full of irony; things are not always what they […]
Exodus 17:1-7 This Third Sunday in Lent, our reading from the Old Testament book of Exodus takes us into the wilderness, where the people of God have fled following their escape from generations of slavery in Egypt. We might expect to find them celebrating their liberation or offering elaborate thanksgiving to God for Pharaoh’s […]
Romans 4:1–5, 13–17, 20–25 and John 3:1-17: Lent is a season for taking stock of our lives, not least of the state of our spiritual health. It is fashionable in some circles these days to profess to being “spiritual but not religious,” but I trust those of us who make our way to church on […]
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11 Today is the first Sunday of Lent, traditionally the church’s most important season of penitence, fasting and prayer. To some, Lent means “giving something up”— maybe desserts or television or drinking alcohol. More frequently these days, however, progressive Protestants think not of giving something up for Lent but rather […]
Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9 Today is Transfiguration Sunday, one of those turning points when we veer in a new direction in the church year. You could argue that everything that has happened in the church year so far has been working up to today: All that waiting in Advent, the celebration of Jesus’ birth […]
Psalm 119:1-8 and Matthew 5:21-37 We continue this morning our contemplation of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preaches in chapters 5, 6 and 7 of Matthew’s gospel. It is early in his ministry, and Jesus has gone up a mountain in Galilee with his disciples to teach them the central tenets of life […]
Matthew 5:1-12 and Micah 6:1-8 Today is the day we commission and install the new officers and members of the Mission Review Committee whom you elected at the congregational meeting last Sunday. Yesterday, we met for a retreat at the Rockefeller Archives to discuss our agenda and plans for the year ahead. Ultimately, of course, […]
Isaiah 9:1-4 and Matthew 4:12-23 Today is the day we hold our annual congregational meeting. It’s a day for taking stock. There is printed report about our various ministries that I hope you’ll take time to read. We will also be looking to the future as you elect new officers and a Mission Review Team […]
Isaiah 49:1-7 and John 1:29-42 One day, not long after his baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at the very beginning of his public ministry, Jesus and John meet again. It’s an odd little story. The Fourth Gospel, the Gospel of John, tells these stories differently from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John […]