Readings: Isaiah 8:23—9:3; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17; Matthew 4: 12-23 Preacher: PJ Ryan As you and I journey forward in this new year I ask you to think back for a moment in order to make better our forward steps. Take a moment now and recall a favorite teacher or two that you have encountered. Also, take a moment… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 49:3,5-6, Corinthians 1:1-3, John 1:29-34 Preacher: Sue Howard “Here I am, Lord, Is it I, Lord, I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.” That familiar refrain—Dan Schutte’s musical adaptation to the words of the prophet Isaiah—seem especially appropriate today. Here am… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Our oldest granddaughter celebrated her birthday last week. She’s one of the sweetest kids I know. Not that I’m biased, or anything! She has a sunny personality. An inquisitive mind. And lots of energy. I drove a long way to celebrate her birthday with her. And it was worth… read more →
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4: 4-7; Luke 2:16-21 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino At the waters of Baptism I was given the name Gloria O’Toole. As a really young child I vividly remember going to Mass, and saying to myself, “What is that gibberish I keep hearing?” (It was Latin, of course.) But then, invariably, the priest would proclaim, loud and clear,… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 62: 11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2: 15-20 Preacher: Mark Hare When I was about 9 or 10, I wanted to buy my mom a Crock-Pot for Christmas. I knew she wanted one and I wanted her to know how much I loved her. So I asked my Grandma if I could wash dishes in her restaurant until I… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 7: 10-14; Romans 1: 1-7; Matthew 1: 18-24 Preacher: Kathi Piehler Grayson is 3, Lucas is 5 and Emily is 9. They are three of our six grandchildren. And, like many of their peers, they are all enamored with the current resurgence of the “Super Heroes” phenomenon. Lucky for our grandkids, their respective parents monitor their interaction with… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10; James 5: 7-10; Matthew 11: 2-11 Preacher: Patrick Fox Today Jesus raises a question, “what did you come out to see?’’ He is asking those listening to consider why they came to see John the Baptist. It causes me to wonder what I or any of us might say if we heard the voice of… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 11: 1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12 Preacher: Marilyn Catherine There is a famous painting, The Peaceable Kingdom, inspired by this week’s first reading. It depicts a child embracing a lion and traditional natural enemies of the animal kingdom gathered together in peaceful company. The painter, an American folk artist, Edward Hicks (1780-1849) spent 29 years of his life… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24: 37-44 Preacher: Marlene Bessette “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”… read more →
Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1: 12-20; Luke 23-35-43 Preacher: Alice Miller Nation It’s almost time to start again. Next weekend, we begin the new church year with the First Sunday of Advent. But, before we get there, we stop for a moment and remember Christ as our King. Today’s feast is called Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the… read more →