Sermon 12 December 2021 (Advent 3)

Rejoicing amid the shaking by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent by lighting the candle of Joy. Last week was the candle of Peace. Joy and peace are related, as our New Testament reading tells us: “Rejoice in the Lord always … The Lord is near … And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” But what is that peace for?

Lectionary:  Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 85:1-13; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

Referenced Scriptures: Psalm 12:7-8; Romans 10:8; John 15:1-8; Hebrews 12:26-27; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 22:21; Romans 8:31

Word during open worship:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrVCPjuUvxQ4T-Gtb?e=UFNdKC

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrVEkPpYnmGko0gC3?e=xhrvBG

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrVJ8DhxEOZPMl7cm?e=cFq4li

Sermon 05 December 2021 (Advent 2)

Whose peace? Which peace? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Advent by lighting the candle of peace. But which peace? Whose peace? Is it looking backward to “peace on earth, goodwill toward men”? Yes, but it is also looking forward … to what?

Lectionary:  Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 12:1-8; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 21:25-36

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; John 13:34; John 14:1; John 14:16-17; John 14:26-27; John 15:1-4; John 16:20; John 17:20-21; Philippians 4:7

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrTMkH4kvTY0Ylpak?e=Vtr1sO

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrTSwaQPJGaUe-h6j?e=EQxbqX

Testimony during Mass:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrTLwE1RH0hYS9Bvu?e=jy9vP1

Sermon 28 November 2021 (Advent 1)

Escaping your eros prison by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The cry of every Christian shepherd’s heart is to “see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith“. We are called to “labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you“. Salvation is a journey, not an experience; it has a direction and a destination. But we can’t get there on our own. (With grateful thanks to Bob Mumford for concepts from The Agape Road, Lifechangers Publishing, 2006)

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 7:14; Matthew 18:12; Galatians 4:19; John 17:20-21; Exodus 34:6-7; John 15:5-8; 1 John 4:8; Matthew 4:4; Romans 5:5

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrErARX4mVGyeddFO?e=510wAo

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrEkiBS-jpEJWAu82?e=PpCUmf

Sermon 21 November 2021 (Christ the King)

Christ is King! Really? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Christ is King! Is Christ truly the King? Is He your King? Or is He just a ceremonial figurehead? Consider the United Kingdom….

Lectionary:  Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Psalm 93; Hebrews 1:1-8; John 18:33-37

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 12:28; Matthew 15:6-9; John 2:23-25; John 19:13-15; Hebrews 12:25-29; Revelation 12:10-12

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrEKwHJEsAtEDc7Dc?e=YxkZid

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrEMIvgvV0SYHTySh?e=w6l0Cd

Sermon 14 November 2021 (Proper 27)

From deception to destiny by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  We hear a lot about protection and “keeping safe” in our day. But the real danger isn’t covid, physical harm, or even death. It is being deceived – deceived about our faith.

Lectionary:  Daniel 12:1-10; Psalm 16:1-11; Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 13:5-13

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 16:24; Revelation 3:16; Matthew 22:37-39; Proverbs 27:17

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrDu2i6zhc02WpQcJ?e=Ynsrx7

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrDpZKdRNJWDPUe6Z?e=2eYdO9

Sermon 07 November 2021 (Proper 27)

Do you want to be healed? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Things are not what they seem. Jesus used the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath to challenge the people in His hometown of Nazareth. They saw Him as the boy who grew up among them, and their inability to see beyond that fact prevented them from receiving all that Jesus wanted to give. If you long for Jesus’ healing touch you must be willing to let Him change how you see things.

Lectionary:  1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 71; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

Referenced Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:1-7; Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:23-30; Mark 6:2-5; Matthew 13:54-58; John 5:1-9; 2 Peter 1:3; Luke 6:46

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrC_CZuV82TZGMz38?e=OrxlcO

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrC411Tjmht6J6Qhh?e=KI7VDb

Sermon 31 October 2021 (Proper 26)

I am real, and I’m serious by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  “These commandments that I give you today…. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” But don’t stop at the symbols: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” Jesus’ body and blood are not symbols, but real. It’s not enough to be “not far from the Kingdom of God”. Live in the Kingdom!

Lectionary:  Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 119:1-8; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34

Referenced Scriptures: 1 John 4:8; Matthew 28:18; John 14:15; John 21:15-17

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrCtgYg5SZ3LzoKw_?e=5cFvD5

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrCrCAvOs3R_t7g3_?e=dn6L5K

Sermon 24 October 2021 (Proper 25)

Love without a hook by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  We long for the Lord to restore our fortunes. In truth we long for perfection: for riches, for happiness, for security, for health, for absence of pain and hardship. It has been bought for us and we will receive it one day, but it was purchased at great cost. What are we to do until it comes? We are called – destined – to sow, even with tears….

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52

Referenced Scriptures: 1 John 3:16-18; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 4:8; Mark 12:42; Luke 5:4-7

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrChC-txrTpA4F58T?e=b58kKA

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrCf4UU9_qUo-p1PI?e=xJmnpV

Sermon 10 October 2021 (Proper 23)

Are you stiff-arming God? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  We like to think God is with us. We find comfort in that thought. Sometimes we claim the promise, “God is with us”, and it is true…to a point. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, but if we are going our own way He will not provide a smooth way forward. We must be with Him, which requires an intimacy that too many believers fear. Are you one of them? Are you pushing God away?

Lectionary:  Amos 5:6-15; Psalm 90:1-17; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:17-27

Referenced Scriptures: Psalm 46:7; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 15:4; John 17:3; Exodus 34:6-7; Hebrews 11:6

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrBwXbMhpSYoUF2N7?e=2Rw7ty

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrB15zpHIoB46UTxm?e=J0Htrw

Sermon 03 October 2021 (Proper 22)

Maturity: becoming like Jesus by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God drew from the first Adam’s side Eve, the one who would become his wife. Blood and water (Eucharist and Baptism) flowed from the second Adam’s side, wherein God created the Church to become the bride of Christ. In these sacraments – both Eucharist and Matrimony – God works to make the two into one. What does that mean for us as individual disciples? How does it change us, the local church?

Lectionary:  Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 8:1-9; Hebrews 2:10-13; Mark 10:2-16

Referenced Scriptures: Ephesians 5:31-32; Luke 6:20; Luke 6:40; Matthew 16:24; Matthew 10:38; James 4:1-4; 2 Kings 20:1-21; Colossians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 5:12-13; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Matthew 20:28; Luke 10:30-37; 1 Corinthians 11:27; Ephesians 4:15

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrBNstmU-FoVAncpy?e=fNZxo3

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrBJILPYxv87OQ2Mx?e=3Uae1g