I was surprised to read in the newsletter that I was preaching on hell and anger; not because I didn’t know I was going to preach on these subjects or because I’m not going to, but because it wasn’t my …
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Having children in one’s life changes that life forever. Whether one is a biological, adoptive, or step parent, godparent, caregiver, friend, or teacher, it does not take long to discover just how right our friend Kahlil Gibran was when he …
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All This Every Day Luke 12:13-21 July 16, 2017 Shelly Wilson Jesus speaks this parable on his way to Jerusalem where he will meet his death at the hands of the state. He seems to be pressing to provide every …
Continue readingThe General Synod of the UCC meets every two years and its meeting dates often extend over the fourth of July. Many years there is jubilation on that day as the Synod winds down its business and we all look …
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Pilgrims Navigating the Swamp of Truthiness John 18:37-38 Jesus said, “My task is to bear witness to the truth. For this was I born; for this I came into the world, and all who are not deaf to truth listen …
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I once heard a story about thinking bigger. It seems that the pope was coming to St Patrick’s in New York, but his plane had been a little delayed in Rome, so when he got to New York he had …
Continue readingThe disciples ask for a teaching about prayer and Jesus offers this one–what we call the “Our Father…” or the Lord’s Prayer. When I was growing up in the church there were only a few correct ways to refer to, …
Continue readingNearly late, I slid into the seat next to her just before the speaker began. We smiled and introduced. Joan was from just outside Houston so she’d driven in to the meeting early that morning, avoiding the traffic. I told …
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Philippians 1:3-11 Welcome…and thank you for letting me give the sermon this morning, on Pentecost Sunday and the last Sunday in our worship theme of “Love Letters.” In case you haven’t heard, we’re moving away in a few weeks, and …
Continue readingI just returned from a continuing education event, the Festival of Homiletics. It is a blessed gift to have continuing education, (thank you) a time to gather with colleagues in the same field, learn from the best presenters, and remember …
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On Sunday, May 21, 2017 our high school youth group hosted Senior Sunday, where our graduating seniors share thoughts on their UCG experience. In this service our youth choose every song, write every prayer, and lead our hearts to …
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I Kings 19:1-13 The Bible, like many sacred writings, contains love letters, given and received. Letters of passionate longing like Song of Solomon, “Kiss me again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.” Letters of regret like Psalm …
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