For a Limited Time Only

(opening sermon in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, July 17, 2005Readings: Genesis 27: 1-38      James 4: 13-17 “Anyone who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it commits sin.” What is the right thing to do? How do you know? In 1932, a...

Christianity and the American Art

Texts on Sunday, May 29, 2005 — prior to Memorial Day Luke 7: 1-10; Acts 15: 6-15, 19 One of “Robert’s Rules” was very much in the news this week, though I heard no newscaster make the connection. Can a simple majority stop debate and press its will on a large...

A Prophet-hood of All Believers

Texts on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005Numbers 11: 24-30;  Acts 2: 1-21 If there’s a word yet unheard in this Pentecost story after so many seasons–a word still waiting for your attention after the birthday-of-the-church kazoos and party whistles are silent, it is:...

Let God Arise

(in the series Psalms in the Key of Easter) Texts for Sunday, May 8, 2005Psalm 68 1-10, 32-35; Luke 8: 19-25 We bring to a close today our Eastertide meditations on the Psalms. For the most part, the words we have attended to fed the soul as her fears and her hopes...

Being Blessed / Being Blessing

(in the series Psalms in the Key of Easter) Texts for Sunday, April 24, 2005Luke 6: 17-23 Psalm 84 In this little course on the Psalms, we have now learned two words that lie deep on the heart of wisdom, refuge and righteousness. The meaning of taking refuge in the...

How You Know It Is the Lord

April 3, 2005Reading:   John 21: 1-14Rev. Stephen H. Phelps Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. When the fishing disciples see the man on the beach but do not know who he is; when Mary Magdalene sees the risen One, and supposes...

Whom Do You Seek?

Texts for Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005Matthew 16: 21-25 & John 20: 1-18 Whom do you seek? Take care not to have an answer at the ready.  Your life depends on it. Throughout this past Lent, we have listened in half a dozen ways to how the life of a Christian is...

Becoming Who You Are: To Die For

Palm SundayMarch 20, 2005Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9; Luke 19: 28-44Rev. Stephen H. Phelps Download a PDF of this text As this worship service closes today, we will be singing “Ride on! Ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp, ride on to die . . .” I have no desire to reset...

The Big Game

Texts on The Transfiguration of the Lord, February 6, 2005Mark 9: 2-8; 2 Corinthians 3: 12-18 Download a PDF of this text When Peter senses the awesome power of his mountaintop experience, he wants to build a church up there. How like all religion through the ages: a...

When You Pass Through the Waters

Texts on Sunday, January 9, 2005Isaiah 43: 1-11; Matthew 3: 1-2, 13-17 Download a PDF of this text “When through the deep waters I call thee to goThe rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,And sanctify to thee they deepest...