Sermons from December 2018

Growing in Wisdom and Stature

Luke 2;41-52 One of my mentors Howard Thurman quotes the following mother’s prayer in one of his books: Each night my bonny, sturdy lad                                                                     Persists in adding to his, Now I lay me                                                               Down to sleep, the earnest wistful plea:                                                 “God, make me big.”                                                                                      And I, his mother, with greater need,                                                              Do echo in…

The Good News of Repentance

Luke 3:1-6 Only ten days till Christmas, and we’re stuck with John the Baptist.  As we go about our merry-making, John is a real killjoy.  We don’t need a prophet or curmudgeon, we need jolly old Saint Nick, with sacks of presents, candy, and libations.  But, there are times when you need to hear the…

Spiritual Practices for Advent and Christmas

Philippians  1:3-11; 4:4-9 This morning, amid the joyful heavenly bells, I want to share a few words about spiritual practices. Advent is an appropriate time to reflect on our spiritual lives.  Before the coming of Christmas as a consumer holiday, Advent was a time of prayer, fasting, and preparation for the celebration of the birth…

Spiritual Practices for Advent and Christmas

Philippians  1:3-11; 4:4-9 This morning, amid the joyful heavenly bells, I want to share a few words about spiritual practices. Advent is an appropriate time to reflect on our spiritual lives.  Before the coming of Christmas as a consumer holiday, Advent was a time of prayer, fasting, and preparation for the celebration of the birth…