17 Monday May 2021
Sermon 16 May 2021 (Ascension Sunday transferred)
Jesus, the High Priest of the New Covenant by Bp. Elmer Belmonte, Diocese of Europe
Simple Summary: Jesus is both our High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb who was slain.
Lectionary: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:11-19
Ascension: Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
Video: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWtcD_SCUodI357m?e=XwGImM
10 Monday May 2021
Sermon 09 May 2021 (Easter 6)
True faith is obedience in love by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: In our day God is “rebuilding the ancient ruins” within His Church. It is a Church for all races, nationalities, cultures, languages, and skin colors. It is a Church with a magnificent inheritance, for which we wait patiently and labor diligently. It is a Church that loves God and our neighbors with abandon – not as a duty, but because our hearts overflow with Christ’s love for us.
Lectionary: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 33; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Referenced Scriptures: Galatians 1:8; Isaiah 61:4; Jeremiah 6:16; Luke 21:19; Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 7:23; Matthew 24:46; Mark 10:28; John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 13
Recording – Sermon:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWmJWumb8UiJdHBV?e=IaLp7r
Notes – Sermon:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWfSigH05CtPtBZr?e=TxBntJ
Recording – Testimony:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWjWKiboWGf2Hl1m?e=EwokW4
06 Thursday May 2021
Posted in Followers of Jesus, Scripture
Thoughts to ponder from today’s daily lectionary reading from the New Testament, Luke 8:26-39:
Why did Jesus grant the demons’ request to be sent into the swine? He could have sent them straight into hell, as they feared.
Had Jesus sent the demons straight to hell, the man’s problem would have been solved and no one else would have been impacted. But Jesus saw the bigger picture. He knew who owned the swine, and whether it would cause great injury or small. More importantly, He knew the hearts of the people in the region. Though their spiritual captivity was not as obvious as the demoniac’s, it was just as real. After the man was healed they did not see Jesus, the presence of the Kingdom of God drawn near*, as an opportunity for themselves and their loved ones to be healed and restored, but rather as a threat to their worldly possessions and their pursuit of prosperity.
Why did Jesus deny the healed man’s request to accompany Jesus? He could have become a faithful disciple with a tremendous testimony.
Again, Jesus knew the hearts of the people in the region. He knew that if this man lived the remainder of his life in the region, he would be a permanent reminder to the people of the opportunity that they had missed to draw near to God. Some – perhaps many – of those people would later repent of their selfish desires and turn to the Lord because of the man’s continued witness.
May we, too, see the bigger picture that the Holy Spirit is trying to show us, that we might make the best decision rather than the easiest or most expedient one.
* “heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (Luke 10:9)
02 Sunday May 2021
Sermon 02 May 2021 (Easter 5)
Love is sacrifice by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: What is love? God is love: unconditional, sacrificial love. It is not the love of fellowship, or of food, or riches, or holidays, or happy times. God defines love as sacrificing for others, and He was the first to do this through His Son Jesus Christ. When you love as Christ did, you become a target of Satan as Christ did. We cannot love without abiding in Him. Love is sacrifice, and it is the heart of a normal Christian life.
Lectionary: Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-16; John 15:1-8
Referenced Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12-13; Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:1
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWFadD2qA94FEUEM?e=4lUnz3
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWJg8aXQEBDCtn4B?e=zc6oLN
25 Sunday Apr 2021
Sermon 25 April 2021 (Easter 4)
Ownership, stewardship, or sinking ship? by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Remember the woman who washed Jesus’ feet? “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.” Do I love like this “woman who was a sinner”? Do you? And what if you aspire to go further – to be a leader?
Lectionary: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
Referenced Scriptures: John 14:15; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 7:36-50; 1 Peter 4:7-8; James 3:1; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:20
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqVrRCrBzVH3a3DMR?e=QTynpg
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqVlsrRJQGvV_anab?e=xmDJPG
19 Monday Apr 2021
Sermon 18 April 2021 (Easter 3)
Are you seeking happiness? by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: “Now we are children of God”: in other words, we have not always been His children. All who are His children purify themselves, just as He is pure. For that to be true in us, what then should we be seeking in this world?
Lectionary: Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-5; Luke 24:36b-48
Referenced Scriptures: Colossians 1:13-14; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:3,5; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 8:29; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 22:1-5; Matthew 6:33
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqVRyXIpQU-nGgzhB?e=CD2p3k
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqVN8XBsrVmvH6Mcd?e=FCG1eJ
11 Sunday Apr 2021
Sermon 11 April 2021 (Easter 2)
God’s blessing upon our unity in Him by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” How can that happen? It can only be accomplished if each person’s highest priority is identical, and if that priority contains the power to change the hearts and minds of men and women.
Lectionary: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
Referenced Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 14:22; Matthew 7:18-20; Leviticus 8:10-12; Matthew 18:19-20
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqU8vlp4tQKzLrKrV?e=qQ9LVf
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqU4ZmmpxSB9-rZKF?e=RALhSs
04 Sunday Apr 2021
Sermon 04 April 2021 (Easter Sunday)
They shall rebuild the ancient ruins by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: God has been shaking the Church (and this church) down it its foundations, and now He is preparing to rebuild us to His original design. What does that entail?
Lectionary: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; John 20:1-9 (sermon not from lectionary)
Referenced Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-7; John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Luke 19:11-27; John 19:5-16; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Colossians 3:14; Matthew 5:9; Mark 9:42; John 15:5; John 13:8; Matthew 28:18-20; John 16:13; James 4:6-10; John 12:32; Matthew 23:19; Matthew 16:18
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqUq9ODe-DvYfJq7h?e=LvZBWf
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqUkMHLP6ozccFuKa?e=8i2TOf (including a short portion not heard in the recording)
29 Monday Mar 2021
Sermon 28 March 2021 (Palm Sunday)
God’s Word to you by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: Jesus’ Word to you as you enter into Holy Week is the Word He gave to His disciples at His last Passover meal.
Lectionary: Mark 11:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 31:1-24; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:32-50
Referenced Scriptures: Romans 12:1; John 17:3; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28-31; John 16-17; 1 Peter 2:9-10
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqUZQyn-YEuSFclZ2?e=jVGlfm
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqUXnj6Qpj_xkvz27?e=aRYsJB
08 Monday Mar 2021
Posted in Scripture
Sermon 07 March 2021 (Lent 3)
Examine, cleanse, and rebuild by Fr. Dana
Simple Summary: When Jesus entered the temple courts He noted the worldly activities that were going on. He made a whip and drove out those who were responsible along with all their goods, to make room for the holy activities that should have been taking place. This holy season of Lent is a time for us to allow Jesus to do the same thing in our hearts and in our church: to examine what is going on, to cleanse what should not be there, and to make room for us to rebuild with materials that are eternal.
Lectionary: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
Referenced Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Matthew 7:23; Luke 9:23
Recording – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqTYthrCyGXc910al?e=8e6Eai
Notes – Sermon: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqTf7RuNSv7FfdxH7?e=btN83y
They will rebuild the ancient ruins 