Sermons

Lent has a way of stripping life down to essentials.It unsettles routines, quiets distractions, and gently exposes how much of our sense of stability rests on things that are never truly permanent. The comforts we assumed were solid begin to feel provisional. The noise that once filled our days falls away, and what remains is […]

Transformation, Last Sunday in Epiphany (A) – 2017February 26, 2017Ben E. Helmer It had been a long, multi-year mission with not much to show for it except threats from the rulers of occupied Israel and the religious authorities. Despite countless healings of the sick, large crowds coming out to hear him, miracles of feeding the

“Our God of grace and love and mercy, be with us today as we worship together. In Christ’s name, Amen” Good morning. I truly am happy to be with you here today.  In churches in this city, in this state, in this country and in churches around the world, people come together each week, on

St. John Chrysostompreached this Christmas sermonin 386.It was preached at Antioch in Asia Minor–during the first year of his public ministry.Later, he became Bishop of Constantinople.It was his skillful preachingthat earned him the nickname “Chrysostom,”which means “Golden-Mouthed.” Behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song,piping no soft melody,but chanting full

Today’s passageis not about Mary.We hear prophecy in Isaiahand we hear its fulfilment in Matthew.The young woman, the virgin,shall conceive and bear a son.They shall call or name himEmmanuel:God is with us.Pay attention to the rest of our music today.All of it,from the procession onwardis really helping us focuswhere today’s gospel text is.As usual, it’s

It’s hard to wait.It’s always been difficult for us,us whose lives are like the grass,to wait –especially to wait for the Lord.Throughout Scripturewe have stories of peoplewho got impatient.In frustrationMoses strikes a rock twiceinstead of speaking to itbecause he’s grown impatientwith God and the Israelites.Abraham doesn’t wait for Godand has a child with Hagar.Sarah laughs