Apart from Your GraceLent 1 2021Rev. Doug FloydGenesis 9:8–17, Psalm 25, 2 Peter 1:18–22, Mark 1:9-13 Historically, Easter was a day for baptism: the weeks and months prior to baptism were used for catechizing the new Christians. The catechism and the baptism were seen as entrance into the body of Christ, but also as exorcism…
Last Sunday of Epiphany 2021Rev Doug Floyd1 Kings 19:9–18, Psalm 27, 2 Peter 1:13–21, Mark 9:2–9 When my sister’s oldest son was under five, she was trying to tell Him the story of Easter. She puzzled that she couldn’t find children’s books on the cross, so she tried to tell him the story without a picture…
World Missions Sunday 2021February 7, 2021Rev. Doug FloydGenesis 12:1-3, Psalm 86:8-13, Revelation 7:9-17, Matthew 28:16-20 In his book, Christian Leaders of the Last Century, JC Ryle tells the story of eleven ministers such as John Wesley and George Whitfield whom God used to bring a great awakening to England in the mid to late 18th…
Epiphany 4B Rev. Isaac BradshawJanuary 31, 2021Deuteronomy 18:15–22, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1–13, Mark 1:21-28 O God, you know that we are set in the midst of many grave dangers, and because of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant that your strength and protection may support us in all dangers and carry us through…
Epiphany 3B 2021Rev. Doug FloydJeremiah 3:19–4:4, Psalm 130, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Mark 1:14-20 In our Epiphany readings this year, we’re hearing how Jesus called the disciples. In today’s reading, Jesus is passing along the Sea of Galilee. He sees Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea. Jesus says, “Follow me,…
Epiphany 2B 2021Rev. Doug Floyd1 Samuel 3:1–21, Psalm 63, 1 Corinthians 1:6-9, John 1:43–51 Jesus tells Philip, “Follow me,” and he follows. He even finds Nathaniel and invites him to follow as well. Today we are pausing over the call of Jesus Christ to each of us, “Follow me.” We begin life as followers. A…
Baptism of Our Lord 2020Rev. Doug FloydIsaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 82:1-29, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:7-11 The scenes from our Capital this week were heartbreaking. Our nation in turmoil. Violence in the halls of Congress. Confusion as to what lies ahead in a nation so divided. Before we have time to grieve or hardly pray, voices interpreting the events, judging the events, making plenty…
Christmas 2 Jeremiah 31:7–14, Psalm 84, Ephesians 1:3-14, Matthew 2:1-12 As we rehearse the stories of Scripture, the Lord addresses us as a community and as individuals. The Word of God addresses us and calls us to Himself. He is changing us even as He is changing His world. Today we gather to hear His…
Christmas 1 2020Rev. Doug FloydIsaiah 61:10–62:5, Psalm 147, Galatians 3:23-4:7, John 1:1–18 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Today we pause and behold a wonder, a glory, a mystery unveiled. God with us. The Word become flesh,…
Advent 4 2020Rev. Isaac Bradshaw2 Samuel 7:1–17, Psalm 132, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 It’s something of a cliche these days to talk about how communication has been revolutionized in a few short years. The home telephone, connected to a landline, is basically obsolete. We talk about how no one writes letters, and the near-instantaneous transmission…