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

Sermon 11 July 2021 (Proper 10)

What is God doing in this church? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Our Old Testament reading speaks of Jesus: He is the plumb-line against which all faithfulness to God is measured, the rejected stone who became the chief cornerstone, the stone cut without hands that destroys the kingdoms of the earth and becomes a mountain filling the whole earth. We were out of alignment, dead in our trespasses and sins, but He has redeemed us: not to be a fellowship of spectators, but – as we saw last week in the valley of dry bones – an army faithful to Him.

So what is God doing in this church?

Lectionary:  Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85:1-13; Ephesians 1:7-14; Mark 6:7-13

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 20:15-18; Daniel 2:32-35; Matthew 11:29-30; Psalm 95:6-11; Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 91:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 7:13-15; Acts 20:27-31; Hebrews 10:24-25; Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:2-7; Leviticus 25:19-22; Matthew 6:33; Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 13:1-23

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0OC4hsI76LLSFf1?e=7ZimUo

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0K2DYWXpYCPbK9e?e=jUyxTR

Sermon 04 July 2021 (Proper 9)

There is no return to normal by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  In Ezekiel’s day:
– Israel was in exile in Babylon
– False prophets proclaimed they would soon return
– God said they would not, and sent Ezekiel to proclaim it
– When hope in man was dead, God gave Ezekiel a new word: dry bones

In our day:
– The Church is under siege by governments, media, and culture
– False prophets proclaim we will soon return to “normal”
– What is God saying?

Lectionary:  Ezekiel 2:1-7; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-6

Referenced Scriptures: Ezekiel 1:10; Ezekiel 3:4-11; Ezekiel 37:1-14; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Ephesians 5:26; Matthew 28:19-20

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0HYAkxZUzrNY0eW?e=da7UMm

Audio note: a person came into Mass off the street, and at 3:10 in the original recording asked a question. His question quickly became a lecture, so after working with him a few minutes I eventually had to ask him to leave. I have omitted that 7-minute portion from the recording, so there is a slightly curious transition and some references later in the recording to what happened during the missing minutes.

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRq0Ct6T_phnGFT8sF?e=G0xcCG

Testimonies during Mass:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqz4nD0sd_D4CZ8us?e=Qasddq

Sermon 27 June 2021 (ICCEC Foundation Day)

Arise army of God! by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God is love. Love is giving. Giving is sacrifice. Sacrifice produces good. This is the Gospel. God is restoring His army, breathing life into us through His Holy Spirit. Foundation Day is about equipping the Army of God … about setting up base camps in enemy-occupied territory to reach into neighborhoods and set captives free!

Lectionary:  Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13, 27-31; Mark 16:15-20

Referenced Scriptures: 1 John 4:8; John 3:16; John 10:15; Mark 8:31; John 14:3; Romans 8:29; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; 1 Peter 4:13; Romans 12:5; Colossians 2:19; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Luke 19:10; Revelation 5:9; Romans 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 10:5-7

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzrqgHX2Oe5C52et?e=FnLIZd

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzmFQ3Wu9fuBkggz?e=4GGhb1

Sermon 20 June 2021 (Proper 07)

This is your life by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  This is your life: God redeemed you from slavery to sin; in this new life you will have storms; when you call on Jesus He will be with you through the storm and bring it to a good resolution – as He defines good, not as you or I or the world defines it. He delivered you from slavery to sin that you might live for Him (and through Him for the good of others), not to become a slave of the world’s system, desires, and priorities.

Lectionary:  Job 38:1-11; Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Mark 4:35-41

Referenced Scriptures: Acts 4:1-31; Luke 21:10-19; 1 Samuel 4:1-11; Matthew 13:1-23; Matthew 25:14-30

Recording – Sermon:  

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzZxZJlaWRg7Wupg?e=gCvmEv

Notes – Sermon:  

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzdVrgqIIWR8kaoe?e=aWYU2Q

Sermon 13 June 2021 (Proper 06)

Six simple questions by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Six questions: What is the Kingdom of God like? What matters right now? What does this accomplish? Where are you heading? What are you growing into? What is the point? [Note: the volume of a mustard seed is 0.004 ml rather than the 4 ml stated in the audio; the printed notes correct this mistake]

Lectionary:  Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Mark 4:26-34

Referenced Scriptures: Philippians 2:5-11; John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 15:53; Matthew 25:14-30

Recording – Sermon:  

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzNZREM_9WGMDF-f?e=ccVPrK

Notes – Sermon:  

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzRHQt6RSqP5Cs6B?e=ipvH0v

Sermon 06 June 2021 (Corpus Christi Sunday)

The Body of Christ, and the Body of Christ by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The fear of – the healthy respect for – the Lord is the beginning of wisdom … not the end, not the mature result of wisdom, but just the beginning. We must believe in God as He says He is, not as we wish Him to be, even when what He says offends us. Then the next step is to become like Him.

Lectionary:  Exodus 25:21-30; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30; John 6:54-63

Referenced Scriptures: Hebrews 9:5; John 6:66; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 5:30; John 12:24-26; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzEC7lOw0T1esFnm?e=Bhojv4

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqzIIiXp0rTvAB9Eb?e=ylxLKL

Sermon 31 May 2021 (Trinity Sunday)

Led by the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  King Uzziah was faithful for many decades, but in the end he was overcome by pride. Isaiah, also used mightily by God, understood the awe and majesty of God and lived accordingly. We must follow Isaiah’s example if we are to teach our children, not just through our words, but by our example. If our deeds send a different message than our words, our children – both physical and spiritual children – will follow our deeds and forget our words. We must allow the Holy Spirit to change us.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 6:1-5; Psalm 78:1-8; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:7-16

Referenced Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 26; Matthew 23:15; Matthew 15:14

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqXCVeU0DrcFNpLOJ?e=NSLuJh

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqW_V2HA2fFdmpn3w?e=bBiYZl

Sermon 23 May 2021 (Pentecost)

Gather vessels, and not just a few by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today we celebrate Pentecost, and God longs to fill us – to continue filling us. The amount we receive is, to a great extent, dependent on us: how much room are we willing to make for His presence? God’s glory is an attribute of who He is and what He does, and He calls us to participate by doing His work. If we fill our lives with our own desires and leave little room for Him, we dishonor His glory. Worse yet, He will raise up others to take our place in His service.

Lectionary:  Acts 2:1-7, 12-21; Psalm 104:24-35; 1 Corinthians 12:3-13; John 16:1-15

Referenced Scriptures: 2 Kings 4:3; John 14:15-16; Matthew 7:21-23; Malachi 3:10; Revelation 12:10-11; Psalm 4:2; Luke 19:40; Matthew 25:28; Luke 10:29-37; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 2:4-5; Luke 10:38-42; John 11:20-28; John 15:4; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Ephesians 4:11-16; Matthew 12:18-21; Isaiah 42:1-4

Recording – Sermon:  

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqW72avJOKJQ3zJyH?e=qqAKsh (recorder battery died; the missing final few minutes are given in the notes)

Notes – Sermon:  

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqWzIgNEvYsh9IQ1N?e=0diN1E

Recording – Testimony (dream of Matea Gossage):  

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRqW1Bzf4_othZ-TQu?e=gdj5VV