Sermon 10 October 2021 (Proper 23)

Are you stiff-arming God? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  We like to think God is with us. We find comfort in that thought. Sometimes we claim the promise, “God is with us”, and it is true…to a point. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, but if we are going our own way He will not provide a smooth way forward. We must be with Him, which requires an intimacy that too many believers fear. Are you one of them? Are you pushing God away?

Lectionary:  Amos 5:6-15; Psalm 90:1-17; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:17-27

Referenced Scriptures: Psalm 46:7; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 15:4; John 17:3; Exodus 34:6-7; Hebrews 11:6

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrBwXbMhpSYoUF2N7?e=2Rw7ty

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrB15zpHIoB46UTxm?e=J0Htrw

Sermon 03 October 2021 (Proper 22)

Maturity: becoming like Jesus by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God drew from the first Adam’s side Eve, the one who would become his wife. Blood and water (Eucharist and Baptism) flowed from the second Adam’s side, wherein God created the Church to become the bride of Christ. In these sacraments – both Eucharist and Matrimony – God works to make the two into one. What does that mean for us as individual disciples? How does it change us, the local church?

Lectionary:  Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 8:1-9; Hebrews 2:10-13; Mark 10:2-16

Referenced Scriptures: Ephesians 5:31-32; Luke 6:20; Luke 6:40; Matthew 16:24; Matthew 10:38; James 4:1-4; 2 Kings 20:1-21; Colossians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 5:12-13; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Matthew 20:28; Luke 10:30-37; 1 Corinthians 11:27; Ephesians 4:15

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrBNstmU-FoVAncpy?e=fNZxo3

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrBJILPYxv87OQ2Mx?e=3Uae1g

Sermon 26 September 2021 (Proper 21)

God gives to all, but not all receive by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Jesus warns that anyone who “causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me —to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” Then He immediately addresses the things that cause you to stumble, and thus shows that when one causes others to stumble it is most often because that one is stumbling themselves. This is critical, because Jesus came to heal the sick, not the well. If we think we are well when we are not, we will miss Jesus’ offer of healing for our bodies, our souls, and our ministry.

Lectionary:  Esther 7:1-10; Psalm 124:1-8; James 4:11-12; Mark 9:38-50

Referenced Scriptures: Mark 2:17; Mark 6:1-6a; Luke 14:20; 1 John 3:9; John 1:29; Luke 14:16-24; John 7:37-38

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrA2203m90ghXWgwK?e=kXVDh0

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrAzqi4FmCBxXQDk6?e=qltOTw

Sermon 19 September 2021 (Proper 20)

Wisdom and arrogance can’t live together in one mind by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, impressed God with his selfless humility. He chose wisdom over riches, wealth, honor or life. His proverbs instruct us to search for wisdom as we would for treasure. But beware of arrogance: it can lead even wisdom astray.

Lectionary:  Proverbs 2:1-9; Psalm 54:1-7; James 3:13-18; Mark 9:30-37

Referenced Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 1:11-12; 1 Corinthians 2:14; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-6

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrAhtXJ34Zg2GKjjZ?e=Uqgy8G

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrAcyJrHQ1eo7FUZP?e=6WfKn9

Sermon 12 September 2021 (Proper 19)

Are your ears open to the Lord? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Last week we saw Jesus heal a man who was deaf and could barely speak, but once healed he could speak plainly. The same spiritual truth applies to every Christian today. In order to speak God’s Word clearly we must allow that Word to be planted in our hearts and bear fruit, not least of which is cleansing our hearts from all that is not His. Only then will we be able to speak the untarnished Truth. Every Christian is called to this; every Christian is called to be Jesus’ disciple.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 50:4-11; Psalm 19:1-14; James 1:19-22; Mark 8:27-35

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 9:51; Hebrews 1:10-12; Isaiah 6:6-7; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 12:34-37; Matthew 28:18-20

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrAN962lkIT2Od8Gm?e=zAgRUN

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrAKcpSxN0M3A1ezY?e=ph4KGa

Sermon 05 September 2021 (Proper 18)

Ephphatha: Be opened! by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Christ will come to save you, and He will come with divine retribution on that which holds you captive. What is holding you captive? What keeps you from hearing the Truth? If you hear only what you want to hear, then you will teach only what you want to hear … and that is a perversion of the Gospel. If you wish to bear fruit for God, then know that greater fruitfulness comes from deeper roots. Jesus must open your ears and your heart to hear the Truth, receive the Truth, and be changed by the Truth. In the Name of Jesus Christ, “Ephphatha!”

Lectionary:  Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146:1-10; James 2:8-13; Mark 7:24-37

Referenced Scriptures: James 3:2; Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 9:23-25; Matthew 7:5; Leviticus 23:23-24; John 6:44; Luke 13:6-9

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!BPYHlhfoSlmRrAHIoEIsVE9dYVK6?e=gJIUrD2-MEyt7nrkBYAiFw&at=9

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!BPYHlhfoSlmRrAAujDN9c6_Hgc3C?e=1v_MeBp7NEmR1IMX0SVvhQ&at=9

Sermon 29 August 2021 (Proper 17)

The little red hen, worship, and your calling by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The little red hen desired to share her blessing and her friends desired to receive it, yet they did not. The reason is they were unwilling to invest their own effort into making the gift ready for use. It is the same lesson as Jesus’ parable of the talents. How does this relate to worship and your calling?

Lectionary:  Deuteronomy 4:1-9; Psalm 15; James 1:13-18; Mark 7:14-23

Referenced Scriptures: 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Samuel 24:24; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; Luke 18:18-30; 1 John 4:19; Deuteronomy 29:5; Joel 2:12-13; Acts 28:26-28

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq38QWc9HIgARr2T-?e=POVKuF

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq36Ept4OGxg6cA0W?e=MLn60e

Sermon 22 August 2021 (Proper 16)

Will you embrace Him or turn away? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Joshua spoke to the Israelites after they had entered the Promised Land: “choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living”. Choose the gods of your past, choose the gods of your culture, or choose the one true Lord. Jesus spoke an equally challenging word to His followers: “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in them.” The Israelites eventually chose the gods of the culture, and many of Jesus’ disciples chose to walk away from Him. Which will you choose?

Lectionary:  Joshua 24:1-2, 14-15; Psalm 84:1-12; Ephesians 6:10-13; John 6:56-69

Referenced Scriptures: Joshua 23:1-13; Matthew 6:33

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq33XtunZE2COUptL?e=AKtpRe

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq3zwwDMgpHouhCdA?e=2Y4dUU

Sermon 15 August 2021 (Proper 15)

To eternity and beyond by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Wisdom calls to the simple and those who have no sense. Why is that? It is because those who are esteemed as intelligent in the world’s eyes are puffed up with their own knowledge and sense of importance; they are not willing to consider a new and higher way. They do not fear the Lord. A healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but only its beginning, not its end. That fear produces faith; true faith produces obedience; and obedience teaches us the wisdom of God.

Lectionary:  Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-59

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 13:6-9; John 1:14

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq25WUmjrJh5BxZnL?e=f1UZE6

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq22DPpDk8Tx92KDc?e=Xysy9r