Sermons from 2018

Do Grow in Wisdom and Favor

Customarily, every year, the family of Jesus went to the Temple to celebrate Passover. Hey Aunt Mary! Hey Uncle Joe! Come on! Don’t be late! We can almost hear the family calling to them. Jesus! Jesus! Come on! We’re over here! As the boys went running off together, while the whole caravan travelled up to the Temple together. The whole family trekked…

Do Expect Christ

There is a classic story of Christmas pageants in the Midwest. I wonder if you have heard it. When telling this story, someone is always sure to mention the name of Wallace Purling. For Wally’s performance in the annual production of the Nativity play has become a legend! Wally was nine that year and in second grade, although he could have been…

No More Waiting Jesus is Born

No More Waiting Jesus is Born It happened a long time ago far from here.  The people waited a long time for a baby to be born.  You have to wait a long time for a baby to be born. There was a mother and her name was Mary.  The Angel Gabriel told her that Mary she would have a baby. The…

Do Expect Love

Greetings, you have found favor with God. You are highly favored. Know that God loves you and wants to use you to fulfill God’s promise. You are highly favored by God, let your heart glorify the Lord. God loves you! Mary heard these words before God gave her the role of carrying Jesus. I have to imagine those words ran counter to…

DO Expect the Light of Christ

Our lamppost outside of home is on an automatic light sensor. Whenever the sensor detects that it is dusk, the lamppost turns on. And it turns off with morning light. This is a great way to keep our family from having to turn on and off the lamppost. Someone would certainly forget. It works well, lighting the path in front of our…

Do Expect Joy

I want to begin this morning with an experiment.  I will start the first line of song or hymn and you finish:  •      I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy,  – – Down in My Heart •      Rejoice! Rejoice!  – – Emmanuel shall come to Thee O Israel. •      Good Christian friends – – rejoice in heart and soul and voice •      Joy…

Do Expect Peace

Imagine my surprise:   I began my renewal leave in the middle of October by spending eight days in Ontario, Canada in silent retreat.  When I returned, I was surprised to find out major construction was underway just off Guernsey Road, just down from the church. On my short commute, I am now often slowed down and treated to a view of construction…

Do Expect Hope

In the middle of December when I was a child, boxes would begin appearing on the kitchen table to decorate our home.  It was not until later, I learned that they were tucked in the attic throughout the year and taken down only for Christmas.  The children just expected Christmas tins, mistletoe, stuffed bears, and other decorations would show up. This Advent…

DO study

Good morning to everyone. I am grateful to have the opportunity to get to speak to you all this morning and share with you some thoughts and insights on the topic of “do study”. This Sunday is the last Sunday in the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This time next week we will be celebrating the first Sunday of Advent and starting…