Sermons

St Mary, Mother of God

August 15, 2010

Gospel: St. Luke 1.39-55 It’s great having Pastor McClean and Vicar Kieselowsky here, but sharing in the ministry with them also means they discover my weaknesses and inadequacies. Recently the Vicar and I were driving somewhere and he discovered a scandalous secret about me. Sometimes, I listen to R.C. Sproul. {He’s a Calvinist. Not Lutheran.} [...]

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Trinity 9 – The not-so-secret meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward

August 12, 2010

I’m way behind on posting; this sermon is from August 1. This parable of the Unjust Steward has long vexed me, because I was looking for some deep and hidden meaning. Some of the parables are explained allegorically, that is, where each person and part is symbolically interpreted. There is no shortage of commentaries creatively [...]

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The Marriage of Sarah Mellott and Edward Cadagin

August 12, 2010

July 31, 2010 Sarah is a thorough and orderly person, which was evident as she planned this wedding. Last night at the rehearsal, I discovered part of Ed’s own thoroughness, as he asked me for a copy of the vows so he could practice them. That always makes a pastor happy — but the truth, [...]

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Psalm 45

August 12, 2010

This was much better when I preached it. I think. The Hebrew Bible contains introductions to each Psalm that often leave the reader wanting more details. Psalm 45 begins, “To the Director,” presumably a choir director; then, “According to the Lilies,” which could either be some kind of musical instruction, or a particular tune, in [...]

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Psalm 43 sermon at Vespers

July 15, 2010

Sermon on Ps. 43 from last night’s Vespers service: The opening verse of tonight’s psalm is used as the Introit for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, called Judica. That’s from the Latin translation, “Judica me, Deus,” “Judge me, O God.” How dare we say such words? We can only call upon God to judge us [...]

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Trinity 6 sermon

July 11, 2010

Gospel for Trinity 6: Matthew 5.17-26 Note: Our new vicar, Robert Kieselowsky, was installed at this Divine Service. We also had an adult confirmation (Hana Tsehay). “This is the Gospel of the Lord,” the reading from St. Matthew ended. Really? Gospel means “good news,” and today’s lesson – Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the [...]

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Meditation on Psalm 42

July 9, 2010

From our midweek Vespers service this week, where we continue our journey through the Psalter. This week we chanted and considered Psalm 42. 42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? [2] [...]

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Trinity 3 sermon

June 20, 2010

Texts: 1 Pt. 5 and Luke 15.1-10 Note: William Henry Theodore Naumann was baptized during the Trinity 3 Divine Service. The discipline of the shepherd had gotten rather stifling. “Why did he put me with these sheep? They smell. They are noisy. They are most certainly not good traveling companions. If only I had some [...]

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Meditation on Psalm 41

June 17, 2010

Click here to read Psalm 41 It is tempting to view the beginning of this Psalm as a moral admonition, a commandment: “Consider the poor!” There is a promise attached to that command, if we choose to read it this way: “If you consider the poor, the Lord will deliver you in your time of [...]

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Sermon for Trinity I

June 16, 2010

Rather late, here is the sermon for Trinity I (June 6; Luke 16.19-31). Pr. McClean preached on Trinity II. Can Lazarus say, “He has dealt bountifully with me”? That is today’s Antiphon, which helps identify the theme for each Sunday. That Psalm was given for him to pray – but here is Lazarus, dripping with [...]

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