Pentecost +24 2020Rev. Isaac BradshawZephaniah 1:7, 12–18, Psalm 90:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–10, Matthew 25:14-30 If you’ve been alive in the past 30 years or so, you might recognize that phrase from the movie The Shawshank Redemption. It’s a cross-stitch panel, and hangs, framed and prominently, in the office of Warden Norton, the warden of Shawshank Prison, where Andy Dufrense serves his life…
We are free to live lives of quiet grace without always seeking to demonstrate how great we are to others. We are free to humble ourselves, to let go, to lose the argument, to pour out our lives in love.
All Saints Day 2020Rev. Doug FloydRevelation 7:9–17, Psalm 149, Ephesians 1:11–23, Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus talks briefly with the woman at the well and she is pierced to the heart. Suddenly, she runs to tell her village and leads a parade of people to encounter him. Jesus eats a meal with Zacchaeus. At the end of…
Pentecost +21 2020Rev. Isaac BradshawExodus 22:21-27, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8, Mathew 22:34-46 In 2000, I discovered one of my favorite movies of all time. Maybe you’ve not, shame on you. Fear not, we will be seeking the Lord’s absolution for our sins in a few minutes and you can deal with it then. It’s…
Pentecost +21 2020Growing Up Into LoveRev. Doug FloydExodus 22:21-27, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8, Mathew 22:34-46 “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2, ESV) Today our texts invite us to meditate upon the law or upon Torah. The…
Feast of St. Luke 28 October 2020St. Luke – Physician of the SoulRev. Isaac Bradshaw The diaries of Parson Woodforde are a glimpse into the life and times of a 18th century Anglican parish. The Parson of Weston Longforde in Oxford, Rev. James Woodeforde, was one of those fellows who, despite everything else going on, would take time at night to note,…
Pentecost +19The Wedding Feast and the Fire of MercyRev. Doug FloydIsaiah 25:1-9, Psalm 23, Philippians 4:4-13, Matthew 22:1-14 I always get teary-eyed at weddings, and this can be a challenge when I’m conducting a marriage ceremony. Years ago, when I officiated at my brother’s wedding, I was choked up and my brother was choked up. He couldn’t look at me for fear…
Pentecost +18 2020Rev. Doug FloydIsaiah 5:1–7, Psalm 80, Philippians 3:7-21, Matthew 21:33-44 The Gospel tells the story of the faithfulness of God in Christ coming to His unfaithful people to redeem them and restore them to the communion of His love. Even as He restores His people, He is restoring the nations to Himself. He…
Pentecost +17Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank LyonsEzekiel 18:1–4, 25–32, Psalm 25, Philippians 2:1–13, Matthew 21:28–32 Praise the Lord. It’s good to be with you today. Our Old Testament lesson speaks of judgment. Jesus is saying here today, put in context. It’s just after he’s come into Jerusalem. Remember Palm Sunday? So this teaching is just after…
Pentecost +16Living Out Extravagant GraceKatie WhitmireJonah 3:10–4:11, Psalm 145, Philippians 1:21-28a, Matthew 20:1-16 What a picture of the extravagant grace, unbound love, and mercy of God our readings today offer us, and how these characteristics mark the kingdom of heaven. How God imparts this generosity on a communal and corporate level as well as to…