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

Sermon 19 November 2017

Teach us to number our days by Fr. Dana

• The great day of the Lord will be bitter, not sweet – Zephaniah 1
• Our days quickly pass and we are gone – Psalm 90
• The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night – 1 Thessalonians 5
• A parable that teaches us how to number our days – Matthew 25

Simple Summary:  Do not be complacent.  Ask God to help you number your days: consider your choices and actions, focusing your efforts on those that will make an eternal difference whether your remaining days are few or many.

Lectionary:  Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

Referenced Scriptures: Revelation 3:16; Psalm 11:2; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnAAzO81QbIYLBJb0

Sermon 12 November 2017

The peril of thinking we are fine when we are not by Fr. Dana

• The day of the Lord may not be what you expect: Amos 5
• You may not have all the oil you need: Matthew 25
• Persist in asking and you will receive Him who supplies all good things: Luke 11:5-13

Simple Summary:  Pray.  Ask God not for what will fulfil you or make you happy, but for what will make an eternal difference in the lives of everyone around you.

Lectionary:  Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

Referenced Scriptures: John 4:14; Luke 11:5-13

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRm3_OwA4tgxOrCuWl

Sermon 05 November 2017

Rebuilding the church by Fr. Dana

• We are not what we once were
• God’s vision is greater than our past
• We must each do our part, and each one’s part is different
• We can’t be half-hearted and accomplish God’s vision
• As we build we must protect and care for one another

Simple Summary:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (by being faithful to His vision), and Love your neighbor as yourself (heal the wounded and rescue the lost)

Lectionary:  Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-9; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 5:1-12  (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures: Nehemiah 4

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRm34c-hkaX3pEGtI9

Recording – George Monteflor reflection on homily:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRm32I8HFVyp0lN4dU

Sermon 29 October 2017 (Edinburgh)

A tree planted by water, yielding fruit in season by Fr. Dana

• Letting God’s word change us: Psalm 1
• Sharing both the Gospel and your life: 1 Thessalonians 2

Lectionary:  Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 1; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46  (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:12

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRm3qmkjXMjuAQqvkO