This morning, we reflected on the theme of Epiphany.
 It involves a search.

It leads to a discovery, a realization.

I read T. S. Eliot’s “Journey of the Magi,” which I like.

I also include a quote on becoming seekers by Peter Matthiessen, who wrote “In Search of the Snow Leopard.”

Are you a seeker?

What (whom) do you seek?

 Today is the first Sunday of Advent.

The theme of our reflections this morning is hope.

The spiritual experience of hope is deeper than wishing.

The opposite of hope is despair.

We really need to receive the spiritual gift of hope in our nation and around the world this Christmas season!

 This sermon is about building

- our self
- our church
- our nation
- our world
- with what we already have.

It is entitled, "Building With Rubbish" (no offense)

It is about building on rock, on The Rock.

This sermon is about The Widow’s Coins.
It is also about an unusual experience I had many years ago.

Today, in our church, we observe a mixture of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

We remember those who have a profound impact upon our lives and our spiritual formation.  Then we remember that we, also, are called to be saints! 

This morning, on a communion Sunday, we think about the different calls, the different invitations that are extended to us by John the Baptist and by Jesus, though they may be two sides of the same coin.
In inviting us to be yoked to him and to each other, Jesus invites us to a life of abundance, not in terms of material possessions but in care, compassion, love, and service.

This morning our church renewed the covenant between pastor and parishioner that we first shared October 7, 1997.  The renewal of our covenant marked the 27th anniversary of my call to be the settled pastor of First Community Church. I talk about the four dimensions of our covenant as members and friends of our church.

In today's sermon we look at how Taoism and Buddhism can help us understand Jesus' relationship with the woman who was a "sinner."

Once again, I believe the gospel lesson is not about forgiveness; it is about love.

This reflection begins to grapple with Baruch Spinoza's assertion that "this is the best of all possible worlds."

Aren't you just a little curious? 

 The title of this sermon is “The Way to Heaven.”

If you have ever despaired of qualifying, take heart!

You may already be there!

(I know, it doesn’t always feel that way. But just listen.)

This sermon, which focuses on the elder brother in Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son, looks at the parable from a Jungian psychological perspective.

If you happen to be Freudian (or are so inclined for any other reason), you may stop listening now. 

If you happen to think, as I do, that Carl G. Jung just might help us understand the spiritual life and its relationship to our religion from a deeper perspective, I encourage you to read on.