A man arrived at the pearly gates and was greeted by St. Peter. St. Peter began giving the man a tour of heaven, and the man was amazed by all the spectacular mansions. They passed one exquisite palace after another, each more magnificent than the last, all with beautiful lawns and gardens. Finally, they arrived […]
Sermon Topic: God the Father
A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 2023
A wealthy man died and went to heaven. He was met at the Pearly Gates by Saint Peter who led him down the streets of gold. They passed mansion after mansion until they came to the very end of the street. Saint Peter stopped the rich man in front of a little shack. “This belongs […]
Trinity and Epiphany
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. I’m sure I’m not the only one who counts himself lucky this afternoon to be here for this service. The readings and prayers are those customary for this season following Christmas, but the Epiphany music of this service is a unique gift […]
We may speak much, and yet come short: wherefore in sum, he is all.
There have been numerous attempts to find ways of teaching about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; the shamrock or three-leaved clover, being the favored symbol in many an Irish pulpit. I have heard the chemical formula for water, H2O, a molecule with three atoms also used. There was a priest back in Yorkshire who […]
A Prayer for Others
Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and […]
What God's "Anger" Means
Suddenly, destruction will fall upon the people. There will be howling, screaming, running with fear and confusion. There will be reports of pangs and sorrows. Faces will be as if they are burning, on fire. The land will be left desolate; destruction will be everywhere. The stars will be darkened, perhaps with the smoke of […]
There's no place like home.
Last Thursday we had a reception at the Rectory for new pledgers and members of the EMC committee and Vestry. As people left a number thanked us for opening our home to them; I smiled and said “Thank you, but it’s really the parish’s – in a way it’s not our home but yours.” Later […]
Boy Jesus
A man was talking with a friend and their conversation went naturally to his home life when he was a boy. Where did he live? What were his parents like? How was school? These are questions that come up naturally as a friendship develops. They also come up naturally as one gets to know Jesus. […]
Trinitarian Doctrine is Good for the World
The first thing to say about the doctrine of the Trinity is that we Christians should not be ashamed of it. Yet many Christians easily talk about Jesus; some will speak of the power of the Spirit; lots will talk about “God” and about love and about justice and peace; but about the Trinity, one […]
Jesus Reveals the Trinity
In the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Amen. The Christian Year is divided into halves. The first half runs from Advent Sunday through Pentecost. The second half, the Season after Pentecost, runs to Advent. The first half revolves around the movements of God in Christ for us […]
