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"Ready or Not!" a sermon for 12 November 2023

            One of my favorite games as a child was hide-n-seek.   I am sure you all know the game.   Children around the world have played the game for generations.   There was the thrill of finding the perfect hiding spot.   The excitement of being the seeker and finding your friends.   “Ready or not, here I come!”             This morning, Jesus is like the seeker.   Jesus calls out “Ready or not, here I come!”   Some context is helpful here.   We are in Holy Week in the timeline of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry.   So Jesus is preparing His followers for what is to come.   Especially for the time when He is not longer physically with them.             Matthew chapter 25 contains 3 parables, three stories.   Each teaching tells us something about the end times.   Here it is important to remember that Jesus is not trying to scare us or intimidate us.   Jesus, rather, is aiming to help us live life at its fullest.   To fully love God and to love our neighbor as our selves.    
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"This is a Test" Sermon from 29 October 2023

Do you remember the old announcement? This is a test. This is only a test. screech - if this were an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to….” How many of us recall the Emergency Broadcast System?   Let’s see a show of hands.   Raise them nice and high.   Perhaps we need such an alert for our Gospel reading this morning.   Matthew warns us that the religious leaders and the elite are up to their tricks again.   This time they send an expert in the Torah, the instructions of Moses.   The expert asks Jesus which of the over 600 commandments (248 positive, 365 negative) is the greatest.   All of the Laws were to be considered equal.   Yet Rabbis and scholars loved to debate the question.   So this is a definitely a trick question to trap Jesus.   The leaders want to find some way to trick Jesus.   They want Jesus to say or do something that they can arrest Jesus for.   This encounter takes place during Holy Week.   So, the religious leaders are especially hoping to find some
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October Lion's Roar

  I continue to highlight “The Ten (plus one) Rules for Respect” in our monthly newsletter.   I have seen these variously attributed to Nazarene Pastor Charles Christian and leadership guru John Maxwell.   I find these basic courtesies helpful as I seek to live out the part of the Baptismal Covenant where I promise to “respect the dignity of every human being” (BCP, p 305).   May you also find them helpful. One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is to treat each other with kindness, respect, and compassion.   This includes striving to not judge their books by their covers, so to speak..   It is so easy to make assumptions or to hold pre-conceived ideas about others- especially if we do not know him or her well.   You do know what happens when you allow those assumptions to take root in your heart and mind, don’t you?   😉 Here are the fifth and sixth rules: 5. Be careful how you interpret me-I’d rather do that.   On matters that are unclear, do not feel pressured to in
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Why I Stay

 Recently an article has been making the social media rounds.  The article is written by a pastor who made the tough decision to leave the ministry.  At least for now. I can relate to much of what my colleague writes.  Life is rough right now, in general.  People are ruder, more disrepectful, less willing to listen, and angry.   In this climate, being a cleric can seem like an unthankful role.  Even the church is not immune from the divisions and the hostility. So, why do I stay in the ministry . . .  I stay because of a deep sense of being called by God to ordained ministry. I stay because each visit matters to that individual. I stay because (most days) I really enjoy being a priest. I stay because of the people and the relationships that are formed. I stay because I cannot see myself doing anything else. I stay because I feel there is still something to learn . . . and to teach. I stay because of the wonderful moments of baptizing babies and seeing two hearts unite as one in Holy Ma
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September Lion's Roar

September is gearing up to be a very busy month!   Of course, there is the start of a new school year for our students, teachers, and staff.   We pray for a safe and successful academic year.   All who are involved in education are invited to bring their backpacks or book bags for a blessing on Sunday, 10 September.   I will welcome you up to the Altar rail following the Offering and offer a prayer for the coming school year over you. September means that it is also time to get back to our academic year programming.   There will be lots to participate in and be a part of here at St. Mark’s as well as at All Saints’.   Please read on to learn more about Sunday School, Bible study, and some other opportunities for fellowship, fun, and food.   You’ll also want to stay tuned to your weekly announcements and eNotes as well for additional information and/or updates.   And, please, spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Last month, I introduced the first two of “The Te
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A Meme

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 Recently, I posted the following meme from Clergy Coaching Network: Needless to say, this post got a few angry faces (for a variety of reasons, I imagine).  I can only guess in a few cases.  Perhaps for some it comes too close to home, even if they may not realize it.  The meme also sparked some comments about what is the past.  This, and another post concerning what churches need to unlearn, has me thinking. Most congregations are stuck.  Those who are in the pews recall a "Golden Age," when the pews were filled, Sunday Schools rooms were packed, and several choirs existed.  There is an inherent longing to go back to those days without much work to make that happen.  Often, this is coupled with a lack of imagination that resists any form of change or innovation that may be much needed. Churches seem to have lost the concept that the people are the ministers.  The people, not the clergy, are responsible for their churches' mission and ministry.  We, as the church, need t
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Rules for Respect (August Lion's Roar)

 Note:  Summer, with vacation time, has meant that it has been a minute since I have blogged.  My apologies!  Without further ado, here is my August Lion's Roar article. Starting this month, I will take time in each Lion’s Roar to highlight some of the “Ten (plus One) Rules for Respect.”   I have seen these variously attributed to Nazarene Pastor Charles Christian and leadership guru John Maxwell.    I find these basic courtesies helpful as I seek to live out the part of the Baptismal Covenant where I promise to “respect the dignity of every human being” (BCP, p 305). May you also find them helpful. One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is to treat each other with kindness, respect, and compassion.   This includes talking WITH someone as opposed to talking ABOUT him or her.   All of these seem to be lacking in our current climate of deep divisions. Here are the first two rules: 1.        If you have a problem with me, come to me (privately). 2.        If I have
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