The Preaching Moment

Summary

Mother Suzanne welcomes the congregation into the Advent season, explaining how this four-week period serves as a time of hopeful waiting and preparation for Christ's coming, rather than rushing straight into Christmas. She addresses the seemingly apocalyptic gospel reading, clarifying that such texts are meant to offer hope that "all things will be made new," and challenges the congregation to stay awake and live with expectancy, recognizing that God is always making His way to us.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Matthew 24:36-44

 Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Artwork:  “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

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Summary

On Christ the King Sunday, Mother Suzanne preached about how Grace Church tells an "alternative story" of second chances and redemption, just like Jesus offered to the criminal on the cross. She emphasized that the church transforms the community one person at a time by offering grace and new beginnings to all who need them, including herself.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                           Luke 23:33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." 

Artwork: The Crucifixion, by Jan van der Straet (1523-1605)

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Summary

Mother Suzanne teaches that when faced with apocalyptic passages describing wars, earthquakes, and persecutions, we shouldn't focus on doomsday preparation but rather see them as invitations to live with faith and hope in the present. She emphasizes that endurance is a hallmark of following Jesus, reminding us that while difficult times are simply part of human life, God's faithfulness sustains us through every storm.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Luke 21:5-19

 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." 

Artwork:  The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem by Gustav Bauerfeind (German,1848-1904) . 1887

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Summary

Mother Suzanne tackles a challenging gospel passage where the Sadducees question Jesus about resurrection using a hypothetical scenario involving Levirate marriage, where seven brothers successively marry the same woman. Jesus responds by explaining that resurrection life is qualitatively different from earthly life, not merely an extension of our current existence. Mother Suzanne emphasizes that as "resurrection people," we are called to live with purpose and intention, reflecting Jesus' light and love while trusting in God's goodness.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                           Luke 20:27-38

 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her."

Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."

Artwork:  The Pharisees and the Sadducees Come to Tempt Jesus, by James Tissot (1836–1902)

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Summary

Mother Suzanne delivers a heartfelt All Saints Day sermon celebrating both the saints who have gone before and three individuals being baptized that day: baby Hailey, Anthony, and Calvin. She emphasizes that baptism is not a solitary act but a community celebration where the entire church family promises to support these new believers in their faith journey, surrounded by the communion of saints both past and present.

THE GOSPEL

Luke 6:20-31

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
 for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, 
 for you will be filled.

“Blessed are you who weep now, 
 for you will laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets."

"But woe to you who are rich,
 for you have received your consolation.

"Woe to you who are full now,
 for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,
 for you will mourn and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Artwork:  The Sermon on The Plains

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Summary

Mother Suzanne preaches on the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, emphasizing how Jesus turns expectations upside down by showing that the humble tax collector's prayer for mercy was more pleasing to God than the Pharisee's self-righteous prayer. She shares a personal story about judging a well-dressed man who came to their food pantry, only to discover he was a longtime volunteer and government worker who hadn't been paid due to the shutdown and desperately needed help feeding his five children. The sermon calls us to examine our tendency to judge others and instead recognize our own need for God's mercy and grace. 

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                           Luke 18:9-14 

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." 

Artwork:  Pharisee and the Tax Collector, an 1882 painting by the French artist James Tissot

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Summary

Mother Suzanne explores the parable of the persistent widow from the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing that continual prayer should be a way of life rather than a burdensome task. She teaches that prayer can take many forms - from breathing to walking to singing - and encourages the congregation to persist in prayer just as the widow persisted in seeking justice from the unjust judge. The message reminds us that if even an unjust judge will eventually respond to persistent pleas, how much more will our just and loving God hear our continual prayers.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Artwork: Parable of the Unjust Judge and Persistent Widow, engraving by Jan Luyken, created in 1712

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Summary

Mother Suzanne explores the story of the 10 lepers from Luke's Gospel, emphasizing how only one—a Samaritan outsider—returned to thank Jesus for his healing. She teaches that true salvation involves not just physical healing but also gratitude, which becomes a natural response when we experience God's grace and mercy in our lives.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                           Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Artwork:  "The Healing of Ten Lepers", by James Tissot (15 October 1836 – 8 August 1902)

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Summary

Mother Suzanne teaches that faith isn't meant to be heroic or complicated, but instead consists of the ordinary, everyday actions we do consistently. Using Jesus's teaching about the mustard seed and mulberry tree, she explains that faith is simply doing what God has called us to do - loving others, caring for those in need, and showing up daily with intention and open hearts. True faith looks like being God's partner in the world through small, faithful steps that, when blessed by God, can become extraordinary.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

"Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, `Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Would you not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, `We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'" 

Artwork: Parable of the Mustard Seed, etching by Jan Luyken (16 April 1649 – 5 April 1712)

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Summary

Mother Suzanne preaches on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke's gospel, emphasizing that Lazarus is the only character given a name in all of Jesus' parables, with his name meaning "God has helped you." She teaches that Jesus measures wealth not by what we have, but by how well we share what we've been given, calling disciples to live by God's economy of abundance and generosity rather than the world's economy of hoarding. The sermon connects this teaching to Grace Church's food pantry and upcoming pumpkin patch as examples of living into God's flowing economy of grace.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                           Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" 

Artwork:  The Parable of Lazarus, etching is by Jan Luyken (1649-1712)

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