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

Sermon 08 August 2021 (Proper 14)

Get up and eat for the journey by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Elijah: strong in the ministry of God, then overcome by attacks from the enemy and the cares of the world. Peter: granted revelation of Jesus as the Christ, then overcome by the desire for immediate victory in this life. Jesus “truth in advertising”: this life will be difficult; you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me; and oh, by the way, life will not be fair.
The end is good, even awesome, but the journey is long and too much for you in your own strength. Get up and eat: not just for today, but for the journey to your destiny in Christ.

Lectionary:  1 Kings 19:1-8; Psalm 34:1-10; Ephesians 4:25-32; John 6:41-51

Referenced Scriptures: 1 Kings 18:40; Mark 8:27-38; Mark 9:1; Isaiah 53:3-10

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq1FPYw8ib33y8LqU?e=e6Hxzs

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq1DstqXEwDOzhw0W?e=qk2wCX

Sermon 01 August 2021 (Proper 13)

These were written as a stern warning for us by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God’s plan was to give them rich abundance in the Promised Land, but His primary concern was not their bodies – their health, their wealth, or their security.  He longed to provide for their eternal health – their souls. But why do we read the Old Testament now that we are under the New Covenant?  Because these happenings were recorded so that we could read and learn from them, that we would not repeat the mistakes they made. Are we learning … and obeying?

Lectionary:  Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:14-25; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6; John 6:24-35

Referenced Scriptures: Exodus 7-10; Matthew 22:14; 1 Corinthians 10:7-14; Matthew 24:12

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq08ZaJL_Rngdm2qQ?e=1GD3eS

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq010pVr_JVUWzMkx?e=UbhlpJ

Testimony during Mass:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq04PrJknzeumXLo4?e=2gtJ1i

Sermon 25 July 2021 (Proper 12)

God will supply abundantly to complete His calling by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God supplies more than is needed for us to complete the work He calls us to do, often by multiplying what we offer Him. It was true for Elisha, it was true for Jesus, and it will be true for each of us if we seek His will, His glory, the good of His Body the Church, and the accomplishment of His purposes rather than our own.

Lectionary:  2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-20; Ephesians 3:20-4:6; John 6:1-12

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 7:23; 2 Kings 4:38-41; John 6:13-15; John 6:53-71; Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0pyeC5XmoDxg2Or?e=N8U3La

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0hELVnqAhtvZA8O?e=vubfdw

Sermon 18 July 2021 (Proper 11)

The True Shepherd and true sheep by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Shepherds have a responsibility, and they will be held accountable for their husbandry of the sheep. Today’s Gospel reveals the heart of Jesus for His sheep – not just the crowds of people, but the disciples as well. Psalm 23 describes the relationship of this true Shepherd to His sheep, but it’s easy to misinterpret if we don’t know what sheep are like and don’t know what it means to be a shepherd. (Recommended resource: Phillip Keller, A shepherd looks at Psalm 23).

So what is God doing in this church?

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-22; Mark 6:30-34

Referenced Scriptures: John 16:33; Revelation 3:16-21; Luke 14:16-24

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0fMb-6cGJTriOPK?e=H9DVRr

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0bdyu4d4zm1RZSc?e=rxmNwD