Preacher of Habit

Easter 2017    April 15/16, 2017 John 20: 1-18 I had a chance earlier this week to read to a group of young preschoolers. When I arrived, the teacher handed me a book entitled What is Easter? I was intrigued because for the last 40 days we’ve been asking “What Is” questions, and “What is Easter?” fits in so nicely with our recent sermons. So before I read, I decided to begin by asking the question to the kids. What is Easter?   One little boy shot his hand in the air and said, “Easter Egg Hunts.” A little girl then got a big grin on her face and said, “It’s when the Easter Bunny comes.” Finally, a third child said, “It’s when I get to eat lots of chocolate.” And they were so pleased with their answers. I smiled at them and thanked them, and then I added, “I wonder if there’s something else we could say, so let’s read the story and find out.” I don’t think you’d be here if Easter stopped with eggs, chocolate and fluffy white bunnies. Sure, all those things ar...

Here is the poem I shared on Palm Sunday. It was written by Michael Gehrling, a seminary classmate of mine. Enjoy! http://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/301941-kind-king-powerful-poem-palm-sunday-holy-week.html

This "sermon" was a bit different. We had six readers sharing the bold parts, which were taken from the United Methodist doctrinal paper entitled  This Holy Mystery . You can read that document here . After each reading, I followed with preaching commentary on the areas of thanksgiving, community, remembrance, sacrifice, the activity of the Holy Spirit and eschatology. Enjoy! In the New Testament, at least six major ideas about Holy Communion are present: thanksgiving, fellowship (community), remembrance, sacrifice, action of the Holy Spirit, and eschatology. A brief look at each of these will help us better comprehend the meaning of the sacrament. One name for Holy Communion is Eucharist, which means “an act of thanksgiving”. The early Christians “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:46-47). As we commune, we express joyful thanks for God’s mighty acts throughout hist...

What is Baptism?      March 25/26, 2017 Scripture: Romans 6: 1-14 Today we are continuing our What Is? Sermon Series, where we are preparing for Easter by exploring some meaningful words and practices that help deepen our faith and experience of Jesus Christ. Today we’re asking the question, What is baptism? William Willimon tells a story about receiving a call from an angry father while serving as Dean of the chapel at Duke University. His secretary buzzed him and said that there was a man calling who was terribly upset. Willimon said, “I figured as much.” He asked if it were one of his many, thought-provoking sermons that upset the man. “No,” his secretary said, “we haven’t had any response to your sermons. . . . This man is mad over something you have done to his daughter.” Willimon was puzzled and told his secretary to put him through. The father began by saying, “I hold you personally responsible.” “For what?” he asked. The father replied, “My dau...