Sermon 19 Jan 2020  (Our Lord the Giver of Life)

For what do you lay down your life? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Abortion is a problem of epidemic proportions, but it is only a symptom.  Everyone, every day, lays down (sacrifices) lesser things for the sake of greater things; this is a basic principle of life.  The central issue is what you use as the basis on which you determine what is greater and what is lesser.  You can lay down important things to make your life more comfortable and enjoyable … or you can lay down your life for the most important thing – Jesus.  Abortion happens when one lays down another person’s life for the sake of their own.

Lectionary: Jeremiah 31:10-17; Psalm 10; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Matthew 18:1-5

Referenced Scriptures:  2 Corinthians 3:18; John 6:63; Genesis 2:7; Psalm 127:3-5a; John 10:14-18; John 13:37-38; John 21:15-19; John 15:12-14; 1 John 3:16-18

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo15F_nzddrFOLST0?e=FpiQRc

Recording – Testimony:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo13CxghDOxVrqzb0?e=FpSbwT

Sermon 12 Jan 2020  (The Baptism of our Lord)

Are you a product of your past? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The world says you are a product of your environment: your experiences, your choices and decisions, and your human nature.  Jesus came to free you from being a product of anything, to make you a new creation.  The enemy wants to keep you trapped in the chains of your past.

Lectionary: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 89:19-29; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

Referenced Scriptures:  Revelation 19:6-9a; Matthew 26:26-28, 38-41; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 61:1-3

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1zxK4tVxbkT2Xwk?e=wpsgBm

Sermon 05 Jan 2020  (Epiphany Sunday)

The cart before the horse by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  King Herod called all the chief priests and scribes of the people together and inquired where the Messiah was to be born, and they told him the very town … yet they had no clue His birth was happening!  Both King Herod and the Jews were seeking the Messiah for their own purposes, not His.  They were putting the cart before the horse.

Lectionary: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-19; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

Referenced Scriptures:  Micah 5:2; Deuteronomy 28:13-19; Colossians 1:15-18; 1 Corinthians 12:27

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1tXh6zVvH_68awe?e=ehS0u1

Sermon 29 Dec 2019  (1^st Sunday after Christmas)

A place for Jesus by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God prepared places for Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son: a place for His birth in Bethlehem, a place for His early infancy in Egypt, and a place for His formative years as son and apprentice to Joseph in Nazareth.  King David understood the importance of “place” and desired to build a house for the Presence of the Lord, but God had a bigger and better plan.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 63:1-9; Psalm 147:12-20; Hebrews 2:14-17; Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

Referenced Scriptures:  Luke 2:1-5; Matthew 2:11-12; John 1:45-46; 2 Samuel 7:1-16; 2 Corinthians 5:1

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1houg5pftCG9Y46?e=pobYDM

Recording – Testimony:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1f7vynCVnuGWqFq?e=uFKfz4

Sermon 24 Dec 2019  (Christmas Eve)

It’s all about Jesus by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Jesus has shattered the yoke.  He helps us say “No” to worldly passions.  This is good news: rejoice!

Lectionary:  Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96:1-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Referenced Scriptures:  Matthew 10:34

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1ZdsIP3jIzoRccz?e=LT5c76

Sermon 22 Dec 2019  (4^th Sunday of Advent)

Do you have room? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room for Him in the inn.  Mary and Joseph both made room for Him in their lives.  Has he been squeezed out of your life?

Lectionary:  Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm 80; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

Referenced Scriptures:  Luke 2:1-7; Luke 1:26-38; John 8:44

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1WZAPVEEcvW6VGL?e=n0AcCl

Sermon 15 Dec 2019  (3^rd Sunday of Advent)

Have I wasted my time serving You, Jesus? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  While he was still a preborn baby in the womb John the Baptist had identified Jesus by the sound of Mary’s voice.  He visibly saw the Holy Spirit, and confirmed Jesus was the Son of God.  Yet near the end of his life he asks, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Lectionary:  Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Referenced Scriptures:  Matthew 3:1-3; John 1:29-34; Luke 1:41; Matthew 3:17; John 3:27-30; Luke 17:21; Revelation 13:8; John 16:32-33

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1Kb70-ed3PqiSi7?e=dMDuD1

Recording – Testimony:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1GRSB-KvkpG_ZS0?e=ScIMVe

Sermon 08 Dec 2019  (2^nd Sunday of Advent)

The fruit of hope is peace by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Why do we read Scripture?  Among other reasons, “so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”  Hope brings patience, and patience brings us peace.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72; Romans 15:4-7, 13; Matthew 3:1-12

Referenced Scriptures:  1 Corinthians 2:16b

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo1CmOTnjrrsNPgK6?e=oQyTHH

Sermon 01 Dec 2019  (1^st Sunday of Advent)

Are you ready to meet Jesus? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  What is the motivation behind everything Jesus does?  It is love.  He is love.  When mankind fell, God did not remain passive – He acted out of love.  Jesus makes salvation available to all, but for us to receive it we cannot remain passive – we must act out of love.  The Gospel describes what happens to those who act, and to those who don’t: “one will be taken and the other left”.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:10-14; Matthew 24:37-44

Referenced Scriptures:  Psalm 145:14-15; Psalm 18:48; John 3:16; Daniel 2:27-45; Matthew 21:42-44; Isaiah 61:1-4; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRo08wf6msX_3QrGVl?e=aD2RrD

Sermon 24 Nov 2019

Come home to the Kingdom by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today we celebrate the feast day of Christ the King.  If there is a King, then there must be a kingdom.  It includes people from everywhere on the earth, and stretches from eternity past to eternity future.  You are part of that Kingdom, if you want to be, because Jesus Christ paid the price of your admission.  You must receive from Him, and you must empty yourself to make room to receive.

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:13-20; Luke 23:35-43

Referenced Scriptures:  Revelation 5:1-14; Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 19:19-22; Colossians 1:9b-12; Matthew 20:25-28

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRozt80i7nago1-dkz?e=DeADqN