Mistakes

This Sunday February 16th the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany the sermon scripture is Luke 15:11-24.

This coming Sunday, I will be preaching on making mistakes. I’ll be using as a basis the Prodigal Son. The parable is in Luke 15:11-24 (It goes to vs 32.)

The reaction of the older son is not a part of the sermon. Hopefully, this treatment will be a little different approach than normal.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

True or False

February 9th the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is You’re Not Going to Believe This! The scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

There is recent concern about fake news. Recently, for just a few seconds, I saw something on the internet about the death of Steve Harvey, host of a popular game show on network television. It went away, and I could not make it return–until I left the internet and signed back on. It showed up again, for just a couple of seconds. When I checked, I found that Steve Harvey is still alive.

We have all been duped with “manufactured news,” false statistics, and the like, for many decades. Are you aware that there is a report that Elvis faked his death? Just last week, I read a very credible article, giving evidence to support the claim. Even older is the rumor that JFK survived the assassination attempt and was living in kind of a coma in the top floor of a Dallas hospital.

Such things are not new; but, they gain credibility with the advances of artificial intelligence and the ability to create or alter images with computer programs. And, who of us has not had a Facebook account hacked, followed by someone sending out false information supposedly from us?

Paul had similar problems, especially with the congregation in Corinth. I’ll take a brief look at those and then talk about how ironic it is that people will easily believe the fake news we read on the internet, regardless of the fantastic claims, but at the same time, disregard the stories of simple miracles worked by Jesus–or the wondrous works of God.

That is the essence of Sunday’s sermon.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Hope

Credit David Jaco

This Sunday February 3rd the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is It ain’t over, ’til it’s over! The scripture is Acts 27:13-20.

This Sunday, we will have Holy Communion and my sermon is entitled, “It ain’t over, ’til it’s over!” The scripture is from Acts.

The theme is holding on through hope, even when all seems lost.

The story in Acts is about the storm at sea and resulting shipwreck when Paul was being taken to Rome for trial.

See you on Sunday.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Son vs Sun

This Sunday January 26th the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is Son vs Sun. The scripture is John 3:9-17.

Recently, I was driving home from visiting a friend who has Parkinson’s. As I looked out the driver’s window, the sun was so bright that it almost blinded me. I began to reflect on how something 93 million miles away has so much influence on our lives.

It is something on which we are absolutely dependent. How incredible to think that, even though it is so far away, we know so much about it—including exactly how far away it is.

And then I began to think about the Son, an eternal and readily accessible reality that is of late held in reserve and skepticism.
How is it that people readily accept the almost unbelievable existence of something so far away—which, by the way is one of the smaller stars—and have difficulty accepting the reality of Jesus who was experienced as a near presence in such convincing and impressive ways?

My thought is that the Sun asks nothing. It only gives. The Son not only gives but also expects a commitment.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

No conflict

This Sunday January 12th the First Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is “There is no law against these things….” The scripture is Galatians 5:19-23.

The application of the scripture is obvious, once you read the scripture.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Wise Men

Leonardo di Vinci. “The Adoration of the Magi.”

This Sunday January 5th the Second Sunday after Christmas the sermon is entitled, “Are You Gonna Finish That?” The scripture is Matthew 2:1-6 and It involves the visit of the “wise men” to Jesus.

The sermon will contrast their finishing their task to others who did not/will not. One of the illustrations is the painting of Leonardo di Vinci entitled, “The Adoration of the Magi.” He never finished the massive painting. It is on display in the Uffizi Museum in Florence, Italy. I was fortunate to be able to see it on my first visit to Florence.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. I hope you had a safe and happy New Year!

Pastor Michael

A Gift from God

John 3:14-17

This Sunday December 29th the First Sunday after Christmas the sermon title is Daddy Had a Fight With the Christmas Tree.

It is really worth it? Are all the things we do to get ready worth the effort and expense?

I maintain that, as my friend the late Bishop Bob Spain once said, “Would you plan a party without making the punch?”

I guess the concept of “punch” is a bit outdated; but we all know what that is.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Love

The Fourth Candle of Advent, called the Angel’s Candle, symbolizes love and the message of God’s love that the angels announced at Christ’s birth.

This Sunday December 22nd the Fourth Sunday of Advent the sermon title is Something Green. The scripture is James 1:16-18.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Joy

The Third Candle of Advent (this is the pink candle), is called the Shepherd’s Candle, and represents the joy felt at the birth of our Lord, as well as the joy we have in anticipation of His return.

This Sunday December 15th the Third Sunday of Advent the sermon title is Smack Dab in the Middle. The scripture is John 20:24-29.

The central message is about how the birth of Jesus occurred in the middle of a history that had been hoping for Him, but didn’t really expect him.

In addition, Jesus arrived in the middle of a world mess. It is similar to today: the birth of Jesus occurs in the middle of all that is going on–perhaps too much.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Changing the World

This Sunday December 7th the Second Sunday of Advent the sermon title is How Changing a Diaper Changed the World. The scripture is Luke 1:26-38.

The theme will be how something small and insignificant at the time came to be a world changing event.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

Open hearts. Open Minds. Open doors.