by Shelly | Dec 27, 2024 | Sermons
Growing in wisdom and faith On the first Sunday of Christmas we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus, both in the temple, both growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God “to sing psalms, hymns, and...
by Shelly | Dec 24, 2024 | Sermons
Light that overcomes darkness In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through...
by Shelly | Dec 20, 2024 | Sermons
Blessed among Women Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s...
by Shelly | Dec 13, 2024 | Sermons
Prepare your hearts for the Lord Christ’s presence in our midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the God in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with a winnowing...
by Shelly | Dec 6, 2024 | Sermons
Prepare your hearts for the Lord Forerunners and messengers advance the advent of our God. While John the baptizer’s voice in the wilderness may be the principal focus of the day, Malachi’s prophecy could as easily herald the coming Christ as forerunner of the Lord of...
by Shelly | Nov 29, 2024 | Sermons
Be alert and prepare Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring...
