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Category Archives: sermon
Epiphany
Epiphany: A lightbulb moment. A parish church. A cake, a tradition. People going down to a snowy river in Russia to renew their baptismal promises in the freezing waters. The other Christmas. Magi, wise men, kings; gold, frankincense, myrrh; Herod … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Church of the Epiphany Euclid OH, Epiphany, Episcopal Church, God, Herod, Jesus, justice, light, magi, peace, prophecy
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Following
The brightness beckoning, reckoning light years away, in the beginning, there was a star which now calls them from afar to follow, stumbling in the daytime, in the forests, fog-filled valleys, rallying with breathless joy on the mountaintop where all … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged Epiphany, kings, magi, star, three wise men, Year C Epiphany
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Christmas Eve: Good news
“I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Good news. “To you is born this day a Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord.” Good news indeed. The shepherds were, it is safe to say, not used … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged angels, good news, gun violence, Luke 2:1-20, manger, N.T. Wright, newborn, Romans, Rowan Williams, shepherds
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Year C Advent 4: The Magnificat
Mary went out with haste into the hill country. A young woman, a teenager pregnant with a baby of uncertain paternity, an unwed mother in first-century Galilee – you can bet that she got out of town with some haste. … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Mary and Elizabeth, pledge, reign of God, salvation, teenage pregnancy, the visitation, Year C Advent 4
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Blue Christmas homily
I remember one Christmas Eve years ago, when I was a Sunday School teacher trying to wrangle small children dressed as shepherds and herd animals dressed as small children and deal with both kings and wise guys and try not … Continue reading
Posted in homily, sermon, story
Tagged anger, baby, Blue Christmas, Christmas, Christmas Eve, God, Jesus, joy, pageant
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Year C Advent 3: Rachel refused to be consoled
Here’s Matthew’s gospel, telling what happened not long after Jesus was born: Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in … Continue reading
Broody vipers
“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You broody vipers!” (Luke 3:7 … almost)
Posted in image, lectionary reflection
Tagged brood of vipers, broody vipers, John the Baptist, Luke 3:7, Year C Advent 3
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Year C Advent 2: John’s story: to be continued
The first in a two-part mini sermon series at Church of the Epiphany, Euclid There is a backstory to today’s gospel. Luke gives us lots of context: who was ruling where, and had been for how long; he gives us … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged baptizers, flashback, Herod, John the Baptist, Luke, Tiberius, Year C Advent 2, Zechariah
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John’s backstory
(Sunday sermon spoiler alert!) There is a backstory to today’s gospel. Luke gives us lots of context: who was ruling where, and had been for how long; he gives us a snapshot of the political situation, the state of the … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation, story
Tagged flashback, John the Baptist, lectionary, Luke, Pontius Pilate, Year C Advent 2, Zechariah
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Zechariah finds his voice
This week, we get to read the Song of Zechariah, the loosened tongue of a man whose loins have finally produced an heir after decades of longing and loss; the praise of a priest who was struck dumb by the … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged Advent, Canticle 16, Canticle 4, John the Baptist, Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:68-79, Year C Advent 2, Zechariah
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