Sermons

“Jesus’ Grace:  Am I Accepted?” A Sermon on Luke 15:11-32 (with Romans 2:21-24, 26) for the 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C; preached February 28, 2016, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister Part of a Lent preaching series:  What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?   “The old father sees…

“Jesus’ Priority: What Matters Most?” A Sermon on Mark 12:28-34 (with Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-12) for the 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C; preached February 21, 2016, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister Part of a Lent preaching series: What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?   In a scene…

“(Don’t) Gimme That Ol’ Time Religion” A Sermon on Luke 4:1-2a, 9-13 (with Mt. 23:13-15, 25-26 & Gen. 18:1-15) for the 1st Sunday in Lent, Year C; preached February 14, 2016, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister Part of a Lent preaching series: What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?…

“All that Glitters is Not Gold… Sometimes it’s God” A Sermon on Luke 9:28-36 for the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Year C; preached February 7, 2016, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister   “Now about eight days after these sayings…”[1]  What sayings(?), one might ask.  Clearly we have jumped in here today in the…

“It’s Not a Competition” A Sermon on 1st Corinthians 12:1-11 for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C; preached January 17, 2016, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister   It’s a bit of an odd thing, to read someone else’s mail. I say it’s an odd thing, of course, in part because of…

“Behold!” A Sermon on John 1:1-18 for the 2nd Sunday after Christmas Day; preached January 3, 2016, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister   “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” I have spent a little more than half of the past three weeks living among my family—that is to say, family other…

“Glory to God!” A Sermon on Luke 2:1-20 for the Birth of Our Lord: Christmas Eve; preached December 24, 2015, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister   I wonder if the angels were as surprised as the shepherds.  The story tells us—this story most of us have heard time and time again—it tells us…

“On Alert!” A Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Year C; preached November 29, 2015, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister   “Russia Beefs Up Its Forces.” “Chicago Protesters eye Black Friday Hotspot.” “Strike on Clinic was ‘tragic but avoidable’.” “2 massacres in 12 hours leave 15 dead in Honduras.”…

“Foretastes and Feast Tastes” A Meditation for All Saints Day, Year B (Isaiah 25:6-9 & Revelation 21:1-6a); preached November 1, 2015, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister   Each year when All Saints Sunday comes around, I often end up thinking about my grandmother. Vivian was her name. Vivian Lucille Walters was born in…

“Your Faith Has Made You Well” A Sermon on Mark 10:46-52 for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B (Reformation Sunday & Heritage Sunday); preached October 25, 2015, by the Rev. Matthew Emery, Senior Minister “Wir sind Bettler; das ist wahr.” As the story goes, these were the last words from the great Protestant…