Sermon 28 January 2018  (Epiphany 4)

Is your faith worth sharing? by Fr. Dana

• Speak in God’s name only what He is speaking – Deuteronomy 18
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – Psalm 111
• Do what is best for others, not what is most pleasant to you – 1 Corinthians 8
• Faith without love profits nothing – Mark 1

Simple Summary:  If everything this Psalm claims is true, then it is wisdom to have a healthy, respectful fear of the Lord.  Jesus does only what He sees the Father doing, and thus only speaks what He hears the Father speaking; we should do likewise.  Knowledge puffs up self; love builds up others.  Even demons have faith, but without love.  “Do not boast of that faith which puts you on the same level with demons.” – St. Augustine, On the Gospel of St. John.

Lectionary:  Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, 10-13; Mark 1:21-28

Referenced Scriptures:  John 5:19; John 15:15; Matthew 16:16-17

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnDxzTo9Embmp4svb

Sermon 21 January 2018  (Our Lord the Giver of Life)

Sanctity of Life? What’s the big deal! by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The Spirit gives life. Child sacrifice to Ba’al Moloch (Molech) profanes the name of the Lord. It brought judgment on Israel, and continues to bring judgment. There is forgiveness and restoration after judgment.

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 31:10-17; Psalm 10; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Matthew 18:1-5  (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures:  John 6:53-54, 61-63; Leviticus 18:1-3, 21, 24, 28; 20:1-5; 1 Kings 11:1-2, 4-5, 7, 31; Zephaniah 1:4-5; Jeremiah 32:26-29, 32-41; Psalm 127:3-4

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnDtt5vinccCvDyya

Sermon 14 January 2018  (Epiphany 2)

We are a family, but we are also an army by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God has been surveying this church. The time of analysis is finished; the time to design and build has come.

Lectionary: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19; Psalm 139:1-5, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:13b-20; John 1:43-51

Referenced Scriptures: Hebrews 2:11; Ezekiel 37:3; Ephesians 6:12;

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnDpNR_uLH3vgJGyJ

Sermon 07 January 2018  (Baptism of Jesus)

Jesus’ baptism was an epiphany by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  An epiphany is a revelation.  Jesus didn’t need John’s baptism of repentance, but submitted out of obedience to the Father’s plan.  The Holy Spirit confirmed Jesus’ identity to John the Baptist through a revelation.  Jesus demonstrated His love for us through His choices to obey.  We each need a fresh epiphany of His love … and our choices will reflect our love for Him.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:4-11

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 3:13-17; John 14:8-9; John 1:32-34

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnDm9wCETQBghtZi4

Sermon 31 December 2017  (1st Sunday of Christmas)

In the fullness of time by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  In the fullness of time God sent His Son.  There is for each of us a “fullness of time”….

Lectionary:  Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-32

Referenced Scriptures: Nehemiah 1-2

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnDJrtLF7LjLO7wL2

Sermon 24 December 2017  (4th Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve)

Who brought the greatest gift? by Fr. Dana

• David had a heart to give; God outgave him – 2 Samuel 7
• God raised up David’s kingdom, then surpassed it through Jesus – Psalm 89
• The Lord lay bare His holy arm: Jesus, the man of His right hand – Isaiah 52
• Mary had a heart to obey; God gave her the highest honour – Luke 1

Simple Summary:  Do you measure a person’s love by the Christmas gift they give, or the card they send?  On that first Christmas day, who brought the greatest gift?  To receive the gift, you must first let go of what’s already in your hand.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Isaiah 52:7-10; Luke 1:26-38

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAk9kNuHaYU7Pzx9

Sermon 17 December 2017  (3rd Sunday of Advent)

Rejoicing in hope by Bp. Elmer Belmonte, Diocese of Europe

• God is on the throne
• God cannot lie
• The revelation of Christ is the hope of glory

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

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAdbl2hki5rZ5XAJ

Recording – Exhortation before Eucharist:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAXajzXejmHTXVyZ

Recording – Exhortation after Eucharist:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAbo2IaBApkuDlDH

Sermon 10 December 2017  (2nd Sunday of Advent)

Prepare your lamp: your priorities drive your choices by Fr. Dana

• Good news! The Lord is coming: every obstacle will be removed – Isaiah 40
• Faithfulness rises to meet Him; righteousness goes before Him – Psalm 85
• What kind of people ought we to be then? Holy and godly – 2 Peter 3
• John the baptist prepares the way, calling all to repentance – Mark 1

Simple Summary:  Our life, our identity is defined by the choices we make.  Sometimes we make wrong choices, but even then God never forsakes us.  Saul (later Paul) made wrong choices for the right reasons, but when Jesus appeared to him on the road it corrected his thinking: this revelation of the Truth caused Paul to make right choices for the right reasons.  We need a personal experience of this Damascus road revelation to align our priorities and our choices to the faith we claim to embrace.  Pray for this revelation!

Lectionary:  Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

Referenced Scriptures: Acts 9; James 2:17

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnARrVljO4FFWn5_s

Sermon 03 December 2017  (1st Sunday of Advent)

Old things become new by Fr. Dana

• There is no God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him – Isaiah 64
• Awaken Your might; restore us, that we may be saved – Psalm 80
• God is faithful to keep you firm to the end, blameless on the day of the Lord – 1 Corinthians 1
• Stay awake, alert … and most of all prepared for Jesus’ return – Mark 13

Simple Summary:  Celebrating the same old things each year, ever new.  The Scriptures change: not the words on the page, but in our understanding as the Spirit writes them anew on our hearts.  The Word of God is not only a weapon against the enemy, but a scalpel the Holy Spirit uses to cut away the sin and useless pursuits of our hearts … over time.  Let us begin the Advent journey together, with wicks trimmed and oil in abundance.

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

Referenced Scriptures: John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12-13; Luke 2:14; Matthew 27:46

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAMzxouvPt6K1dCd

Sermon 26 November 2017

Investing in Christ’s Kingdom: Prayer by Fr. Dana

• The Lord cares for His sheep; He will judge between the “takers” and the “givers” – Ezekiel 34
• It is a joy to be the flock under the Lord’s care – Psalm 95
• The One who cares for the sheep is the One who has dominion over all – 1 Corinthians 15
• Jesus administers eternal judgment to both givers and takers – Matthew 25
• Faithful servants invest in the Master’s work; prayer is the place to begin

Simple Summary:  We cannot love our neighbors via words alone.  We cannot sit on the sidelines and refuse to participate (Jesus’ parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30).  Every Christian is called and equipped to pray.  Through prayer the Holy Spirit touches people in places your hands cannot reach.

Lectionary:  Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-7a; 1 Corinthians 15:21-28; Matthew 25:31-46

Referenced Scriptures: John 14:15-18; Matthew 22:39; John 15:13; Luke 9:23; Revelation 3:16; Matthew 10:42; John 14:12; Luke 9:11; John 10:10; Matthew 10:8; Luke 10:1-12; Mark 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Recording –  St. Stephen’s CEC, London:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAGAZ0NqNB2sz1BX

Recording – St. Andrew’s mission, Edinburgh:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAIsbUe3cCiS6n-e