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"The Curse and the Cure" *a sermon for 4 Lent, 10 March 2024*

  “Snakes!   Why does it always have to be snakes?”             These words, of course, come from that daring adventurer, Dr. Indiana Jones.   Going through a booby-trapped cavern– no problem!   Taking a leap of faith across a giant chasm- piece of cake!   Nothing can stop Indy . . . except for snakes!   Indy speaks for many of us.   An estimated 36% of Americans are afraid of snakes.   I know I am!   Noah could have left them off the Ark.             So it is no wonder that a plague of poisonous snakes causes panic in the wilderness.   A pit of snakes causes sheer terror in the Israelites’ camp.   To put this scene in context a little bit, Israel is on their way to the Promised Land.   Moses has led them out of Egypt to freedom.   Then the whining begins: are we there yet?             No, that is not really what they say.   God’s people start to complain.   Where is the food?   What about water, we need water?   With miles and miles of wilderness ahead, things take on a differ
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"Cleaning House" a sermon for 4 Lent, 3 March 2024

I had the pleasure of going to the Holy Land twelve years ago.   I was with, you may remember, some pastors and their church members from Kansas City.   We saw many sights during our 10 day trip.   In Jerusalem we saw the Temple Mount and the Garden of Gethsemane.   We also journeyed with Jesus as we walked the Via Delorosa, or the Way of the Cross. Just before we followed Jesus from His trial to the Crucifixion, our Guide gave us some important information.   Chaim warned us that pick pockets target tourists on the Via Delorosa.   He advised us to keep our bags in front of us, with our arms holding them close to our bodies.   Men were encouraged to move their wallets to front pockets.   I was taken aback by Chaim’s instructions.   The Via is supposed to be a sacred place, a holy place.   The presence of thieves in a place that should be about remembering Jesus’ love for us sickened and saddened me.   My heart just broke at the situation.   In thinking about our readings this morni
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"Not Who You Think" a sermon for 2 Lent, 25 February 2024

            “Finding your Roots” is a favorite show of mine.   Genealogy fascinates me and I love to see the featured celebrities learn more about their identities.   Sometimes there can be huge shocks as stories are uncovered.   Julia Roberts, for example, learned that she is not Julia Roberts but Julia Mitchell! Our Gospel has a similar shocking identity revelation.   To back up a little, Jesus and His companions are at Caesarea Philippi.   Jesus asks them about who the people say He is.   The obvious answers come fast: Elijah, a prophet, or even a resurrected John the Baptist. Jesus then gets more personal.   He asks His followers who THEY say He is.   Peter is quick to speak up for the group.   “You are the Christ!”   Jesus tells them not to tell anyone.   Jesus also uses the moment to teach about what it truly means for Him to be the “Christ.” Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew for Messiah, or “Anointed one.”   Based on the Prophets, the Anointed one would be the
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March 2024 Lion's Roar

I heard a most welcome sound the other day.   The wonderful chirping of bird song greeted me.   A sure sign the Spring is on its way!   (I sure hope anyway).   I love Spring with the beautiful flowers and the songs of baby birds.   Spring always reminds me of the beauty of God’s creation.   Most welcome after the darkness and gloom of winter. Another part of Spring that I really enjoy is the longer periods of daylight.   The word Lent actually comes from a Germanic root that means “the lengthening of days.”   As you and I enjoy more sunlight, we are also given a foretaste of the end of Lent’s journey.   There is hope, there is new and unending life.   There is the power of resurrection! Jesus’ power over sin and death is earthshattering.   You and I, through trust in Jesus, are set into right relationship with God.   The early church believed that Jesus’ resurrection is so transforming, so powerful that one day cannot contain the celebration.   The Easter season, therefore, lasts f
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A List for Lent

 Ash Wednesday was yesterday.  Some of went to church and received ashes on our foreheads.  The ashes are made from last year's palms.  The ashes are a sign or our mortality.  Ashes also represent our brokenness and our desire for reconciliation, renewal, and restoration. I find it helpful on my Lenten journey to add something to help me as I reflect upon my spiritual life.  There is no "one size" fits all here.  Different things speak to different people in different ways.  What I find helpful and encouraging may not be so for you.  That is perfectly ok. In no special order, here are some things I find helpful in Lent: Listening to the Easter portion of Handel's Messiah as I go about my day. Reading C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters-- or better yet, John Cleese reading it on audiobook. Watching the video versions of Godspell and Jesus Christ, Superstar. Listening to a musical setting of the passion narratives, such as Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. Reading
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"Who is This?" **a sermon for 5 Epiphany**

Isaiah 40:21-31 + Psalm 147:1-12, 21c + I Corinthians 9:16-23 + Mark 1:29-39 We are almost at the end of the short season of Epiphany.   Epiphany, you may recall, is about seeing the signs.   Seeing the signs pointing to Jesus’ identity.   Mark’s Gospel, especially, does not want you and me to miss the clues pointing directly to who Jesus is-- the Son of God, the Anointed One. Last week we saw Jesus teaching with power and authority.   Those who heard Jesus were amazed.   Here is, by ancient near East standards, a young man daring to teach.   Neither does Jesus have the benefit of formal training like the Rabbis or other religious leaders.   Yet, Jesus’ words draw the people. Jesus’ power and authority are on full display again this morning.   Jesus’ teaching stuns the synagogue in Capernaum.   Jesus’ authority is not limited to words, however.   He also has the power to send evil spirits running.   Needless to say, this attracts attention!   A lot of attention! Following Sab
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February 2024 Lion's Roar: All things Lent

  In just a few short weeks, Lent will be here.   Lent is a time for self-inventory, self-discipline, and self-improvement.   We have some special events to help you on your journey.             “Forty Days through Mark with St. Mark’s” will upload to our Facebook page Monday through Saturday at 7a.   We’ll start with a reading from the Gospel of Mark and I’ll make a few comments on the text.   The entire Gospel of Mark will be read by the end of the forty days.             Each Tuesday (starting 2/21) Deacon Dorothy will lead our Lenten series.   We’ll gather at 4p for a meal of soup and bread.   The program will be from 5-6p.   Join us at All Saints’ or on Zoom.             Fridays at 4p Dorothy and Andy will lead us in a virtual Stations of the Cross via Zoom.             Lent Madness will be back.   A bracket of 32 Saints has been assembled.   Read about each Saint at lentmadness.org to fill out your bracket.   Each day during Lent (with a few exceptions), two Saints face o
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