Sermon: Sunday, March 9, 2014: First Sunday in Lent

Texts: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 + Psalm 32 + Romans 5:12-19 + Matthew 4:1-11 Serpents in the garden and devils in the wilderness. No matter which year or which gospel, the first Sunday in Lent always feeds us stories of temptation and confrontation between Jesus and that figure who has been named “the devil,” about whom … Continue reading Sermon: Sunday, March 9, 2014: First Sunday in Lent →

Sermon: Wednesday, March 5, 2014: Ash Wednesday

Texts: Isaiah 58:1-12 + Psalm 51:1-17 + 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 + Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 The prophet Isaiah issues a call to action, “Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet!” (Isa. 58:1) and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew replies, “So, whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before … Continue reading Sermon: Wednesday, March 5, 2014: Ash Wednesday →

Sermon: Sunday, March 17, 2013: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Texts: Isaiah 43:16-21 + Psalm 126 + Philippians 3:4b-14 + John 12:1-8 File it under “weirdest dinner party ever.” The story begins, “six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him.” We’ve all had friends over for … Continue reading Sermon: Sunday, March 17, 2013: Fifth Sunday of Lent →