Sermons from 2015

Picture of a Baby

After having heard the Word of God made flesh through the incarnate actions of our children, will you listen for the traditional words that tell our Christmas story: From Luke: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.…

Picture the Miracles in Our Messiness

If we were casting a movie about the birth of God, I can imagine brilliant colors and exquisite scenery, luxurious props and A-list names, swelling music and heart-warming images of the perfect birth and the perfect moment. I would imagine actors who did as they should, animals that did not leave droppings, perfect weather conditions, and cooperation. I doubt that anyone would…

Expecting Joy

It is that moment on Christmas morning. In my house growing up, everyone went down the stairs together. Sometimes the anticipation was so hard to hold while waiting for everyone to wake up. Each and every year, we expected joy and delight as we came down the stairs, and surveyed the stockings in the family room and the dazzling tree in the…

With Spirit and Fire

There is an old cartoon that pictures a skeptic yelling up to the heavens, “God! If you are there, tell us what to do.” God calls back, “feed the hungry, house the homeless, and establish justice.” “Just checking” the skeptic says alarmed at the response. “Me, too” God calls back. During this season of Advent, we have been picturing what the Advent…

Peace in the Valley

This Advent, we have been in a series of sermons of picturing the advent of Christ. We have joined the wisdom of generations before and those walk with us now. We study their artwork and their preparation to see how God might be revealed. Last week, we began with the painting by local artist, Horace Pippin who painted an image of the…

Peace in the Kingdom

This summer, I had the privilege of returning to one of my favorite places as a child. My father used to always make sure that we went to the Brandywine River Museum multiple times a year. It is especially around this time of year that we would enjoy the Christmas Critters. I hope I might take our children there yet this season.…

Oh Yeah, By The Way, Thank You

An old story goes: In Budapest, a man goes to the rabbi and complains, “Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?” The rabbi answers, “Take your goat into the room with you.” The man in incredulous, but the rabbi insists. “Do as I say and come back in a week.” A week later…