From the words of Simeon, “for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk. 2:29). These words speak to the heart of this series, the reason for Epiphany, offering the light of …

Jesus started his purpose anonymously and on the margins. God’s margin thrives on the edge, where there wasn’t room for Jesus in the center of life and commerce, there was a starting place on the margins. Jesus fulfilled his purpose on the margins and ended his life on earth outside the city gates near the …

Continuing our Advent journey of the in-between space, we back up from the apocalyptic, future-focused prophesies of adult Jesus and John. We go back to the first two chapters of Luke, where some strange works unfold in the lives of the two men’s mothers. Elizabeth, barren and advanced in years, receives the divine surprise of …

John is hopeful, even in the midst of an encounter when he calls some in the crowd a “brood of vipers.” He is talking to the naysayers, the joyless cynics who have come out from Jerusalem to see a sideshow in the desert. They have come out to the Jordan River to judge this prophet …

Today John the Baptist joins the story of expectancy and asks us to check our spiritual reservoir and to evaluate the direction of our lives by imploring us to make sure that we recognize two core imperatives in baptism: repentance and following, helping to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John the Baptist knows that …

Advent is an in-between time of year, between what was and what is to be, about what has already happened and what has yet to occur. It’s a time of anticipation, of expectancy. To live the Christian journey with expectancy at a most basic level is to be a resident of two worlds. We live …

In this sermon series, we have been exploring different dimensions of giving in love. It begins with Christ’s call to love God and love one another. Last week, we continued with the extravagant generosity of the poor widow; whose contribution made a sizable impression on Jesus. This week we look at the compelling view of …

This is week two of the sermon series which explores different dimensions of giving in love. Last weeks message looked at Christ’s call for us to love God and love one another. This week the message considers the extravagant generosity of the poor widow; whose contribution made a sizable impression on Jesus. When we consider …

This sermon series explores different dimensions of giving in love. It begins with Christ’s call to love God and love one another. It continues with the extravagant generosity of the poor widow; whose contribution made a sizable impression on Jesus. It offers a compelling view of Christian community in Hebrews, in which all members are …

The idea of the Ethiopian eunuch is provocative. By definition, a eunuch was barred from worship in the Temple, yet he was going to worship. Who is excluded from our worshiping communities, real or perceived? Phillips example is one to be modeled — running toward, and not away from the curious.