Text: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 “More often than not, the North Star that guides me through the darkness is the Old Testament prophet Micah,” the writer confesses. “He must have looked like a complete stoner or a Game of Thrones extra, and smelled like a goat, yet nearly three thousand years ago, he spoke the words […]

Text: I Corinthians 11:23-26 I remember the conversation so well as if it were yesterday, and yet it was over a decade ago. I had called to ask about being liturgist for the upcoming Sunday. We chatted for a bit and then I made my ask. “Hey, I’m calling to see if you would be liturgist […]

Text: Genesis 21:8-21 “An artfully arranged sentence begins the story of her actions…‘Now Sarai, wife of Abram, did not bear [a child] to him, but to her [was] an Egyptian maid whose name [was] Hagar.’” (Phyllis Trible) It is one of the most troubling, unimaginable, and haunting stories in the biblical text. “Sarai the Hebrew […]

Texts: Genesis 18:1-15 & Matthew 28:16-20 Ma B. was my dorm mother my sophomore, junior, and senior years in college. She was a full-figured, attractive woman in her early 70’s. Her face showed deep lines of wisdom and the limp she walked with was an indication of the struggles she had been through in life. […]

Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4a Before I venture into the wisdom of Genesis 1 for these, our times, I want to say a word about the anti-Muslim rallies that were held yesterday in 29 cities across 21 states, including here in Raleigh at our state Capitol, sponsored by a group called ACT for America. If you go […]

Text: Acts 2:1-21 In the early summer of 1992, we began a relationship. I was 28 and you were 118. I was inexperienced and naively idealistic. You were seasoned with a wisdom and courage that only comes with having been refined by the Spirit’s fire. I’m not sure what I contributed to the relationship in […]

Text: Galatians 4:31-5:1 I woke up this morning with my mind, stayed on freedom. I woke up this morning with my mind, stayed on freedom. I woke up this morning with my mind, stayed on freedom. Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah. As a child, I longed for freedom. Freedom from the noise of the fights between my […]

Text: Acts 17:22-29 Imagine for a moment that you have been summoned by the justices of the United States Supreme Court to appear in person to give a defense for what you believe and why you believe as you do. They have followed your Facebook and Twitter feeds and have reports from your friends and […]

Youth Sunday Texts: Psalm 31:1-5; John 14:1-14 In case you’re here this morning and wondering who on earth I am, Hi, I’m Bryan Lee, the new guy on staff. Some of you may have not even laid eyes on me yet. I stay tucked away, hanging out with teenagers because…well… I prefer them over most […]

Text: Acts 2:42-47 Every time I step into this pulpit, I am humbled by the cloud of witnesses who have occupied it over the years. Great pastors of this church, highly-regarded Christian preachers, imams and rabbis from our state and many regions of this country, international partners and friends…so many inspirational and provocative speakers have […]