Sermon: "More than Just Words," August 21, 2016

Even in the world we live in, words don’t have to be “just words.” The Bible, the Christian tradition, the way of Jesus Christ, puts huge stock in the power of words. “In the beginning” says the book of Genesis. God spoke… and it was.” The cosmos created by an act of loving speech. And Jesus is named as “the Word made flesh.” That same spark that brought the universe in to being was fully present in the life of Jesus. God’s loving speech to us. One who was able to create a whole new world for us with his words, his teachings, and his touch, his death and his new life. And that, by the Spirit, this same spark is able to heal and set free. Able to re-create our own lives and our own world. Here and now.

SermonsSt George's AdminAugust 22, 2016luke, healingComment

Sermon: "A Diagnosis... and a Prescription," August 7, 2016

In our text for this morning, Jesus, the great physician of our souls, offers us a diagnosis. That our hearts are not set where they are supposed to be. They are set towards earthly goods that do not last, and will never satisfy, yes. But Jesus he also offers a treatment. When Jesus says to sell what we have, and give alms, to sell what we have and give it away. He’s giving a prescription for fullness of life. Jesus prescribes giving, he prescribes a deep generosity, as the treatment for what ails our hearts and our souls.

SermonsSt George's AdminAugust 7, 2016Comment

Sermon: "Knocking on Heaven's Door," July 24, 2016

If we’re truly honest with ourselves, Jesus kind of sounds like he’s out of his mind. I don’t mean to sound cynical. But this prayer sounds crazy. It sounds impossible. A prayer for a parking spot actually seems perfectly doable in comparison. Because Jesus’ big prayer just seems a little too big.

SermonsSt George's AdminJuly 25, 2016luke, lord's prayer, joint worshipComment

Sermon: "A Spiritual Inheritance," June 26, 2016

This is something I think’s easy for us to forget. In all the worthwhile work it takes in keeping a place like this going, it’s so easy for us to forget why in the first place. Speaking as someone who walked in to a church for the first time a decade ago. We so easily forget that the most attractive thing about us, or a community like ours isn’t the tasks we need done, or the bills we need paying. It’s not the roof that’s being fixed, and it’s not the seats on committees. These are all good things. Necessary things. But they aren’t the inheritance we’ve been given to pass on. Those things are all here to help us pass on our inheritance, what we have to give.

SermonsSt George's AdminJune 27, 2016elijah, 2 kingsComment

Sermon: "More in Store," June 12, 2016

You see, Elijah thought he was finished. He was no longer the person he once was. But God sustained him long enough to bring him in to his presence, and then to give him a whole new commission. He’s no longer fighting kings, no. That life is behind him permanently. Now he’s called to anointing new ones .He has a new vocation. Because God isn’t finished with him yet. Because when one chapter in our lives ends, God always has more in store.

SermonsSt George's AdminJune 14, 2016elijah, 1 kingsComment

Sermon: "Give and Take," June 5, 2016

Yahweh’s blaze of fire was impressive, for sure. But that’s not the real miracle. The real miracle here comes after. The real miracle is the end of the drought. After the fall of the prophets of Ba’al, Elijah confronts the king again. This time, it’s not with judgment. But with good news. With grace.

SermonsSt George's AdminJune 6, 20161 Kings, Elijah, idolatryComment

Sermon: "A Commuted Sentence," May 29, 2016

SermonsSt George's AdminJune 5, 20161 kings, elijahComment

Sermon: "The Community-Creating Spirit," May 15 2016 Pentecost Sunday

And, despite the differences between us in time and space, I believe the community-creating Spirit of God is very much at work drawing us together today. Mysteriously, relentlessly. Past boundaries we once thought were impenetrable. And drawing us in to a story greater than ourselves. Even in a disconnected world like ours. Maybe perhaps especially in a disconnected world like ours.

SermonsSt George's AdminMay 15, 2016acts of the apostles, pentecost, holy spiritComment

Sermon: "Someday Never Comes," May 8, 2016

When we are tempted to focus our lives on the future, to keep our eyes fixed on the clouds, Christ and his heavenly messengers always drag our eyes back down to earth. To focus our eyes to the world in front of us, so we can watch and for God’s Spirit through all the earth. That same Spirit that empowers us to be witnesses, so people can begin to see that Christ is not somewhere off in the clouds, but he is alive in us.

SermonsSt George's AdminMay 9, 2016ascension, acts of the apostlesComment

Sermon: "The First Earth Day," April 24 2016

This Friday was a unique day on the secular calendar. April 22, Earth day, every year since 1970. A day marked around the globe as a day of celebration of, and action in defense of, the Earth and its environment. We don’t usually bring in celebrations from outside the church calendar in worship. One of the reasons for that is that we are trying to live in a counter-cultural story. So we’re trying to get rooted first and foremost in the Way of Jesus as a way of looking at the world. But today I think it’s worth making the connection.

SermonsSt George's AdminApril 24, 2016revelation, easter, earth day, resurrectionComment