August 29, 2021 - The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Readings

O God, of your grace you have brought us into the new creation of your love, keep us secure in this grace for ever ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            We’re continuing our sermon series on the question “what is the Church?” As we’re trying to come out of this pandemic and reestablish habits of faith, it’s important to remind ourselves of the foundation on which we stand. So in the previous two sermons, I said that the purpose of the Church is to celebrate the Eucharist because it both immerses us into the story of faith and also because it shapes us into being a people who “see Communion in everything,” as my college chaplain used to put it. Last Sunday, we saw that the reasons for coming to Church are that we are fed in the grace of God, we are given armor to stand firm against the trials of life, we are taught and corrected in the ways of faith, and we abide with one another in Christ.

August 22, 2021 - The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Readings

Lord Jesus, you have told us that those who eat your flesh and drink your blood abide in you; grant us the grace to always abide in your love ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            Last week, we began a sermon series focused on the question “What is the Church?” Though it’s taking far longer than is necessary, we’re trying to come out of this pandemic and look forward to when we can all gather without worrying about exposures. The last 18 months have been incredibly disruptive in the life of the Church and for many Christians. For months, the building was physically closed, and patterns and habits were disrupted. As we’re seeking to rebuild those holy habits of faith, we have to get back to the foundations, which is the purpose of this sermon series.

August 15, 2021 - The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Readings

Jesus, you are the bread of life and we ask that you would give us this bread always ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            What is Church all about? Really, when it comes down to it, why do we invest so much time, energy, and money into the Church? This is a question that many people have asked, and finding insufficient answers, describe themselves as being “spiritual but not religious.” And given the past 18 months when we had to close the physical church due to the pandemic, as we’ve reopened, it’s become clear that having an answer to the question “what is the Church” is necessary.

August 8, 2021 - The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Readings

Gracious and loving God, may only your Truth be spoken and only your Truth be heard ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            I bet that right now, you can think of certain smells and immediately be transported somewhere else. More than any other sense, smell can take over our brain and conjure up memories and associations. Just a whiff of perfume or cologne can remind us of grandparents who died decades ago. For me, the smell of diesel fuel takes me to the Dominican Republic and certain foods are almost like a time machine that bring me to previous meals. I’m sure you all have some of those smell-based associations.

August 1, 2021 - The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Gracious and loving God, may only your Truth be spoken and only your Truth be heard ☩ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

What is Christianity? Certainly,  that's a big question and one that I will not  be able to fully answer in  this sermon. But that question really is an  important one, as another way of asking the same thing is to ask "What is this all about? Why are we gathered here? Why do we invest time, money, and energy into the Church? So what is Christianity?