Sermons

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

The end is the beginning.As John is out in the wilderness,dressed, eating, and living as a wild manpeople flocking to him.Matthew tells us that the people of Jerusalemand all the people of Judeaare going out to him.John the Baptizer isn’t addressing thosewhom Paul describes to Timothyas having itchy ears.He’s not telling themwhat they want to

The end is the beginning.That’s what our texts today,our texts all season,are about.Advent doesn’t mean“Countdown.”It means beginning,as in the beginningof God’s reign made manifest.Jesus has been talking to the disciplesa lot more explicitlyabout the end of daysjust before this passage we hearfrom Matthew 24.Jesus talks now abouthow no one knows the day nor the hourthat

Good morning.  Today we are observing Alcohol and Drug Awareness Sunday and I am here to share the story of Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church, my own journey as an addictions counselor, and some thoughts about the relationship of recovery programs to how we operate in the church.  After we married, Dawn and I