Dr. Christopher Graham Lent 3, 2026Dr. Christopher GrahamJohn 4 “We have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” This morning’s Gospel reading about the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is one of those texts that gives me pause to preach or to teach. It is such a powerful story on its…
A circle of friends on pilgrimage for the love of God
A circle of friends on pilgrimage for the love of God
Sermons on Gospel
Rev. Doug Floyd Pentecost+16 – The Mystery of GodlinessRev. Doug Floyd1 Timothy 6:2b-19 The other night I dreamed Kelly and I were driving on the interstate through Asheville, and there was a great storm like we saw last year. Water was rushing over the highway and washing down in a river on the side of the road. We saw a flock of…
Eve of Epiphany 2025Rev. Dr. Les MartinMatthew 2:1-12 …they departed to their own country by another way. – Matthew 2:12b + In the Name of the Living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today is Epiphany Eve. The Feast of the Epiphany- a word meaning “a revelatory manifestation”- is one of the 7 principal feast days on the…
Rev. Dr. Les Martin Christmas Day 2024Rev. Dr. Les MartinIsaiah 52:7–12, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1–12, John 1:1–18 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news. – Isaiah 52:7a + In the Name of the Living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. After I was ordained, my mother went from being a lapsed…
Christmas Eve 2024Rev. Doug FloydLuke 2:1-20 Every year cartoons and movies retell the same story: the story of a child or an adult who has lost the wonder of Christmas, “the Christmas spirit.” Every year the tale of innocence and experience is retold through the lens of Santa Claus and a heart that needs only believe. Christmas is the time when we…
Rev. Dr. Les Martin Easter 5 2024Rev. Dr. Les MartinActs 8:26–40, John 14:15-21 This Easter, we have been looking at the transformed understanding of the disciples brought about by the encounter with presence of and teaching of the risen Jesus in their midst. This transformation turns frightened followers into apostles, witnesses of Jesus who are sent out on mission and turn simple…
Last Sunday of EpiphanyRev. Doug FloydMark 9:2-9 On the last Sunday of Epiphany each year, we return to the story of Transfiguration. Mark tells us that Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. And He was transfigured before them. His clothes became radiant. Moses and Elijah appeared with Him, talking with Jesus. The disciples were terrified and in some…
Apart from the body of believers, our spirituality can become a form of indulgence in the flesh even though it may involve extreme asceticism or glorious experiences. To move toward Christ, we must move toward one another. Pentecost +7Colossians 2Rev. Doug FloydGenesis 18:20-33, Psalm 138, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13 Paul is praying, struggling, and suffering…
We have been welcomed into the community of the beloved. As we grow up into the love of God, we love and welcome the outsider, the wounded, the marginalized, those scarred by life, those burned out by the engines of church production.
Pentecost +5 2020Rev. Doug FloydZechariah 9:9–12, Psalm 145, Romans 7:21–8:6, Matthew 11:25–30 Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) This is good news. Exceedingly good news. Think of the Hebrew slaves under the burdens of Egyptian rule. Pharaoh ordering Hebrews babies to be killed. The people groaning under the…