Holy Fools

Sermon from 5/28/17. The Scripture is Acts 1:6-14 but it also touches on I Peter 5:6-11 Jesus ascends into heaven, and then…? The disciples are left to their own devices. This whole new movement, church, Kingdom thing is left in their hands. What are they going to do with it? What are we going to do with it, now that it’s been handed to us? We are destined for…

Sermon from 5/21/17 It’s based somewhat on I Peter 3:13-22 which is read before the sermon. But the sermon is mostly about Acts 17:22-31, which was read earlier in the service. In Acts, Paul goes to Athens (a city known for its wisdom, philosophy, and theology), and finds an altar “to an unknown god.” Paul then preaches that he can tell them about this Unknown God.…

Sermon from May 14, 2017 based on the end of Acts 7, when Stephen is stoned to death. Admittedly, it’s a strange passage for Mother’s Day. But maybe it works? You decide. At any rate, it’s about what our mothers (biological and otherwise) give to us, which is far more than the greeting care sentimentality. Mothers are strong, brave, giving, and wise.…

Sermon on May 7, 2017 The passage is about the church and who we are. The sermon compares the “business” of church with the account in Acts and instead finds a better metaphor than “business.” Church is home. Acts 2:42-47 & I Peter 2:2-10

Sermon on April 30, 2017 This is a bit of elaboration on the Gospel message in the light of humorous reversal. Essentially, this sermon compares two “versions” of the Gospel story: one that emphasizes our inadequacy and the other that emphasizes grace. Both aspects are true, but the Gospel can often be used as a weapon rather than being the “good…

Sermon on April 17, 2017. This Sunday, we celebrated the tradition of Holy Humor Sunday. It’s a day of reversal and of doing things  a bit out of order. Turns out, it’s totally in line with the Gospel, too. One of the most universal aspects of humor is the frustration of expectation. It’s why comedians push the boundaries of acceptability with language or…