Sermon 01 Sep 2019

The insatiable hunger for recognition by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Why would someone exalt himself in the king’s presence?  Why would someone take the place of greatest honour for himself?  In our day the culture has a new defining force, a mission to be accomplished, an extreme hunger that must be satisfied but never is: to be recognized.  It’s not about making a difference but being known, being followed.  But where does our true value reside?

Lectionary:  Proverbs 25:6-12; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Referenced Scriptures:  Isaiah 59:12b-15; John 14:6

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRoxDTa1ozvV-B3KGs?e=apfUS3

Sermon 25 Aug 2019

Invest in your new covenant by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Psalm 18 describes God’s response to a cry for help – how He wants to respond, and how we would like Him to respond.  Do we experience this?  We are in covenant with Him, a covenant requiring works performed by both parties.  Are you investing in your covenant?

Lectionary:  Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 46; Hebrews 12:25-29; Luke 13:22-30 (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures:  Psalm 18:1-39; 2 Samuel 22:2-39; Hebrews 8:6-10; Ephesians 5:25

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRonXG12BV0yWUYqam?e=d1f8dQ

Sermon 18 Aug 2019

Maturity in Christ by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  We look at some of the stages of our natural psychological development, the fundamental principles we need to learn in each, and possible consequences of failing to adopt those principles.  What if we apply the same pattern of thinking to our spiritual development?

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 23:23-29; Psalm 82; Hebrews 12:1-6; Luke 12:49-56  (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures:  1 Corinthians 13:11-12; Ephesians 6:1-11; Matthew 20:25-28; John 15:13

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRok-OiPb0N1y8HgOi?e=C56UeA

Sermon 11 Aug 2019

What are you doing with His kingdom? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Our Father has been pleased to give us the kingdom.  In return, we are given one mission – make disciples – and two commandments – love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.  What do they mean, and how do we fulfill them?  The parable of the good Samaritan is a clue: it is not about racism, but priorities.

If we claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ, then when other people look at us they will assume they are looking at Jesus.  Does that make you uncomfortable?

When God brings broken, hurting people to us, how will we respond – with shame and condemnation, or with forgiveness and compassion?

Lectionary:  Genesis 15:1-6; Psalm 33; Hebrews 11:1-2,7-13; Luke 12:32-37

Referenced Scriptures:  Matthew 25:14-30; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 10:24-25; Matthew 22:37-40; John 14:15,21,23; Psalm 119:14-16; Luke 10:25-37; John 14:15-18; John 8:2-11; Luke 6:37

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRokxauWPAdmE5AuQu?e=Lw6Dhy

Recording – Testimonies:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRoksb9iOs3LDjgmE2?e=CfejKx

Sermon 28 Jul 2019

Are you a failure? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Have you blown it completely?  Have you missed God’s will for your life?  Has he passed you by?  Or maybe you’re a hypocrite? Do you wear your church face on Sunday mornings, then show your real face the remainder of the week?  Is going to Mass like being in a play – you arrive in character, you know your lines by heart – and when the play’s over you’re glad to get the makeup and costume off so you can look cool in the real world?  If so … you’re still not a failure.  Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

Lectionary:  Genesis 18:20-33; Psalm 138:1-8; Colossians 2:8-14; Luke 11:5-13

Referenced Scriptures:  Matthew 5:1-12; John 16:7b-15; James 4:3

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRokWVA5YP9tZFvVuG?e=Z6qc86

Sermon 21 Jul 2019

Will you respond? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Abraham saw that the Lord was near, so he ran.  The father saw the prodigal son coming from a long way off, so he ran.  Our salvation depends upon our initial response, and our entire Christian life is all about how we continue to respond.

Lectionary:  Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-23; Luke 10:38-42

Referenced Scriptures:  Luke 15:20; Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10; Luke 13:34; Luke 14:16-24; Genesis 12:2-3, 7; Luke 23:38-43; Revelation 3:15-16, 20

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRokSUzXv7dVzhtozq?e=5SN7ue

Sermon 14 Jul 2019

The Word of God is in you by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The Lord will prosper you, rejoice over you, and do good for you IF you obey the voice of the Lord your God (keep His commandments and His statutes) and turn to Him with all your heart (emotions) and all your soul (you, the part that lives forever).  The Word is near you – not just in a book, but within you.

Lectionary:  Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37

Referenced Scriptures:  Romans 10:1-13; Luke 17:20-21; Luke 16:10-13

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRokJswdo0pQKfhkQ7?e=wF8Voj

Sermon 07 Jul 2019

The best memorial by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The mission: that all would hear Jesus’ word and believe in Him, that they might pass from death to life.  The missionary has passed on to be with the Lord, but the mission continues.  Do we only mourn that his light has gone out, or do we pick up the torch that he carried and hold it even higher, carry it even further?

Lectionary:  Isaiah 66:10-16; Psalm 66:1-20; Galatians 6:12-18; Luke 10:1-3, 17-20

Referenced Scriptures:  Romans 8:28; John 5:18-47; Exodus 3:1-5; John 3:16-21; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Isaiah 61:1-3; John 14:12

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRoj9s8kcoF9FzQCce?e=NlYZKT

Sermon 29 Jun 2019  Eucharist and Renewal of Vows

God breathes new life by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  In holy matrimony two completely different lives become one.  God breaks through, interrupting those lives.  All things work together for good – not just good things, but all things.  Contracts fail, promises fail, but love never fails … and God is love.  God breathes new life!

Lectionary:  Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 23; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Mark 16:15-20

Referenced Scriptures:  Romans 8:26-30; Matthew 26:33-35; Matthew 24:3-14

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRoj1Xd_RfWcCjijPN?e=Ffeksy