Sermon 13 December 2020 (Advent 3)

How can there be joy? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  There is so much pain, so much heartache.  How can we talk about joy … or peace … or even hope? True joy doesn’t exist in this world, because every happiness can be taken away.  Only the joy that Jesus brings is eternal: it cannot be taken away in this world or the next.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11; Psalm 126:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Referenced Scriptures:  Luke 4:21-22; John 16:33; Revelation 7:16-17

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqHi5AYJPKOjeb9Uf?e=ff0Lzr

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqHlQBnSbttOBJqit?e=pJu1ZO

Sermon 29 November 2020 (Advent 1)

Love invests in the Kingdom of God by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  What is God’s motivation for everything He does – everything He has ever done, everything He is doing now, and everything He will do in the future? It is one thing only: it is love. Love became a man and gave Himself for us, and He calls us to do the same.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 64:1-9a; Psalm 80:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Mark 13:24-37

Referenced Scriptures:  1 John 4:8; Romans 12:2; Ezekiel 36:26; Zechariah 13:9; Luke 10:27; Matthew 5:44; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Philippians 2:1-4; Luke 19:41-44

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqGIdERF9TFympWnx?e=qC1R7f

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqGHS56F48PtDzg0f?e=zqwhvy

Sermon 22 November 2020 (Christ the King)

Are you a faithful servant of the King? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Christ is the King – there is no other: what sort of subject are you? Christ is the Good Shepherd – the only Good Shepherd: what sort of sheep are you?. Matthew’s Gospel describes the day of judgment, when the sheep and the goats are separated. The criteria for separation is not the evil they have done, but rather the good they have failed to do. Perhaps we should all take a moment to examine our lives and our priorities….

Lectionary:  Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:21-28; Matthew 25:31-46

Referenced Scriptures:  Colossians 1:16; 1 Peter 3:22; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Matthew 28:18-20; Psalm 100:3; Matthew 18:6-7

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqFt-NUKsYyobPKRM?e=eNAe9n

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqFOZUeVfFQ_JPDxe?e=V28WDY

Sermon 15 November 2020 (Proper 28)

Investing your gifts in the Kingdom by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The Day of the Lord is coming. To those not ready it will be like a thief in the night. We make ourselves ready by investing in our fortress – but what is our fortress, and how do we invest in it?

Lectionary:  Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

Referenced Scriptures:  Habakkuk 2:1; Luke 9:25; Psalm 91:2; Psalm 144:1-2

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqFLlwLw_pKlzdq8L?e=JuveYF

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqFOZUeVfFQ_JPDxe?e=4jgEph

Recording – Sermon (afternoon baptism of Caleb Macasling):  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqFFtyzV5xMLPpD8V?e=bCc1sQ

Sermon 08 November 2020 (Proper 27)

We have the vaccine by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God wrote a love letter to mankind – His Name is Jesus Christ. Too many refuse to read that letter because they are infected with the virus of deception. The vaccine for deception is devotion to Christ. If you are devoted to Christ, you carry the vaccine.

Lectionary: Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

Referenced Scriptures: Revelation 13:8; Isaiah 43:1-3; Matthew 24:3-13, 24; Romans 10:14-15; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqEpQViESkXMp-_X9?e=Vhg0gA

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

Sermon 25 October 2020 (Proper 25)

Tipping point: what are we to do? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The time of wandering is coming to the end. We are at a tipping point: what are we to do?

• Use what we’ve been given
• Be willing to change
• Work together as a body

Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 1; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46 (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:10-12; Romans 12:2; Romans 8:29; Matthew 25:14-30; James 2:17; Jeremiah 18:1-6; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 12:4-8; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Corinthians 2:9

Comments on the Old Testament reading – Fr Dana:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqDen8xJsY8WeL8EE?e=fzZRhq

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqDjrZRq_CaUsv_cA?e=vhmm3C

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqDn5JWjfK86IXOL4?e=ruoiSC

Sermon 18 October 2020 (Proper 24)

No more excuses by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  We live in strange and challenging times. Jesus warned us this would come. He tells us to flee to Him, and not turn back for even a moment to embrace things which have no permanence. Scripture provides many examples of “believers” who did turn aside, and these were given to warn us.

The end may come soon, or it may not. We do not know – no one knows – but time is critical. You want the next generation to rise up? Then YOU and I must rise up and set the example, that they may stand on our shoulders. NO MORE EXCUSES.

Lectionary: Isaiah 45:1-7; Psalm 96:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

Referenced Scriptures: Mark 13:3-23; Hebrews 12:18-24; Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Mark 13:32-37; Psalm 119:9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11; Acts 28:23-28; Psalm 8:6

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqCTfXzJvjaz1kLfT?e=qoNrdL

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqCXKJrk3plb6tvUt?e=DmND37

Testimony – Sophie Valdez:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqCMTZ2OW5AJoMNjN?e=IwGLX6

Sermon 11 October 2020 (Proper 23)

Two brothers: LipService and Repentance by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  From the parable of the two brothers, the wicked tenants, and the wedding banquet Jesus tells us over and over: it is not enough to say the right thing; we must honor our Father and King with actions which spring from His love in our hearts.

Lectionary: Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 106:1-5, 48; Philippians 4:4-7; Matthew 22:1-14

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 21:28-32; Matthew 15:3-9; Isaiah 29:13-16; Matthew 21:33-46; Matthew 13:47-50; Hebrews 10:24; Philippians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 5:14

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqBdhfI5Hh9AidMK2?e=QbIXsg

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqBgtbDtA-FsPhAGz?e=PhJNXA

Sermon 27 September 2020 (Proper 21)

It’s how you finish that matters by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  You must own – take responsibility for – your sin; you can’t blame anyone else. To own your sin, you must recognize it as sin, which requires that you know God and His ways. To know God, to receive the Gospel – the “good news” – you must acknowledge the bad news: you need a Saviour.
But receiving the Gospel is not a one-time event. Jesus shows us that saying “yes” once may have no meaning whatsoever. It’s not about how you start, but how you finish your life!

Lectionary: Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32; Psalm 25:1-22; Philippians 2:1-4; Matthew 21:23-32

Referenced Scriptures: John 9:1-3; John 5:14; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 16:25-26; Romans 12:2

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqAXxK9zvfBqU_N1z?e=Z4BrCq

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqAT53NRZt8a-_TMi?e=XuuwWE

Sermon 13 September 2020 (Proper 19)

Your responsibility to respond by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today’s Scriptures are consistent in message: don’t hold a grudge, don’t treat others as their sins deserve, don’t judge your brother or sister, do forgive them. God is preparing the roots of His Church for amazing ministry, and time is short. If we do not respond to God’s call He will allow us to walk away; if we do respond and obey, He will provide all we need in abundance!

Lectionary: Genesis 50:15-21; Psalm 103:1-13; Romans 14:9-12; Matthew 18:21-35

Referenced Scriptures: Romans 8:28-29; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:37-38; Romans 14:1; James 2:13; Luke 6:31; Luke 13:6-9; John 6:63-64,66; Matthew 21:29; Matthew 4:18-20; John 1:43-51; Matthew 8:19-20; Matthew 8:21-22; Luke 18:22-23; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRp3jiVVA0QzjQOU3u?e=OCwbva

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRp3cmumxmHr7Y_J-A?e=7dPkp8