A Stone for a Pillow

(next in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, August 7, 2005Genesis 28: 6-7, 10-19a      Mark 6: 30-37a By deceiving his blind father, Jacob stole the blessing which rightfully belonged to his older brother Esau. Now, terrified of his brother’s...

For a Limited Time Only

(opening sermon in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, July 17, 2005Readings: Genesis 27: 1-38      James 4: 13-17 “Anyone who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it commits sin.” What is the right thing to do? How do you know? In...

Christianity and the American Art

Texts on Sunday, May 29, 2005 — prior to Memorial Day Luke 7: 1-10; Acts 15: 6-15, 19 One of “Robert’s Rules” was very much in the news this week, though I heard no newscaster make the connection. Can a simple majority stop debate and press its...

A Prophet-hood of All Believers

Texts on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005Numbers 11: 24-30;  Acts 2: 1-21 If there’s a word yet unheard in this Pentecost story after so many seasons–a word still waiting for your attention after the birthday-of-the-church kazoos and party whistles are...

Let God Arise

(in the series Psalms in the Key of Easter) Texts for Sunday, May 8, 2005Psalm 68 1-10, 32-35; Luke 8: 19-25 We bring to a close today our Eastertide meditations on the Psalms. For the most part, the words we have attended to fed the soul as her fears and her hopes...

Being Blessed / Being Blessing

(in the series Psalms in the Key of Easter) Texts for Sunday, April 24, 2005Luke 6: 17-23 Psalm 84 In this little course on the Psalms, we have now learned two words that lie deep on the heart of wisdom, refuge and righteousness. The meaning of taking refuge in the...