Sermons
Watching Over
Back in September 2007, my last surviving grandparent died. My mother’s mother. She was a week away from her one hundredth birthday. Two months later, my first grandchild was born.…
Never give up
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “Never give up?” A bunch of different images come flooding into my mind. Harry Potter in his quest for Horcruxes.…
Gratitude changes everything
I love the unlikelihood of the Kingdom of God. Today’s readings from Kings and from the Gospel of Luke give us a whole lot of that: healing happens to unlikely…
Angels and Archangels
Last year at this time a dear person gave me a medal with an image of St. Michael on it, standing tall with his shield and sword. Some of you…
Choosing God
Moses said to all Israel the words which the Lord commanded him: See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity…today I have set before you…
The Tent Life
Former Bishop of Eastern Oregon William Spofford was known for many things, including riding a Harley all over his geographically vast diocese. My favorite Bishop Spofford story is that he…
“Repairing the Breach, One ______ at a Time”
“You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in” (Isaiah 58:12). When Isaiah first proclaimed this promise, and issued this challenge, the prophet…
Mary the Prophet
The Virgin Mary is exalted high above the choirs of angels; let all the faithful rejoice. There is a story about a self-styled prophet who stood on a mountain top…
Go and do likewise
On Friday night St. Paul’s hosted a large gathering of Lights for Liberty – an event defined by solidarity and community during which people prayed, protested, cried, raged, sang,…
It Matters How We Tell Our Story
There’s a bit of folk wisdom I learned from a Mexican-American colleague. If you hear a message three times, pay attention. It’s meant for you. Well, three times in the…