Dying to Live Rev. Emily Wilmarth First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, NC March 22, 2015 John 12:20-33

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Dying to Live Rev. Emily Wilmarth First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, NC March 22, 2015 John 12:20-33"

Transcription

1 Dying to Live Rev. Emily Wilmarth First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, NC March 22, 2015 John 12:20-33 This week, I read the powerful story of Paul Kalanithi, a man my age who trained as a neurosurgeon at Stanford. Six years into his residency, he started showing signs of illness. Test revealed metastatic lung cancer. Never a smoker, this news came as a shock to Paul and his wife, Lucy. He underwent chemo and a long hospitalization after barely completing his residency. Days after being released from the hospital, his daughter was born. In a beautiful essay published by Stanford Medicine Magazine (and republished by the Washington Post, if you wish to go and read it for yourself), Kalanithi faces the reality of his mortality head on. Once a healthy, brilliant young man with all the potential in the world, he bravely confronts the truth that his time on earth is short. He writes: Time for me is double-edged: Every day brings me further from the low of my last cancer relapse, but every day also brings me closer to the next cancer recurrence and eventually, death. Perhaps later than I think, but certainly sooner than I desire. There are, I imagine, two responses to that realization. The most obvious might be an impulse to frantic activity: to live life to its fullest, to travel, to dine, to achieve a host of neglected ambitions. Part of the cruelty of cancer, though, is not only that it limits your time, it also limits your energy, vastly reducing the amount you can squeeze into a day I suspect I am not the only one who reaches this pluperfect state. Most ambitions are either achieved or abandoned; either way, they belong to the past. The future, instead of the ladder toward the goals of life, flattens out into a perpetual present. Money, status, all the vanities the preacher of Ecclesiastes described, hold so little interest: a chasing after wind, indeed. i I thought about Jesus words about his death as I read Kalanithi s story. Jesus, too, knew that his time of death was drawing close. Jesus talks about death that brings life. He employs an agricultural illustration. The grain of wheat must die and fall to the earth in order for the seed to bear fruit. Without that death, new life remains impossible. Springtime is coming to Highlands. Daffodils and chirping birds and warm sunny days like yesterday remind us that out of the death of winter, springs forth life. Jesus implies that his death, too, will bring new life. But his words can hard to swallow. I think Kalanithi s writing and Jesus speaking are troubling for us to hear because the truth is, death is awful. Mourning is painful. Endings are deeply sorrowful. No wonder Jesus claims, My soul is troubled. To know that his death was immanent came with

2 such a heavy weight. Who wouldn t fear the pain, the abandonment, the utter loss that would come with such a death as his? Yet, Jesus preaches the truth that out of death comes new life. Our faith is built on this reality. Two weeks shy of Easter, we know that the tomb will come up empty, that death won t have the last word in the life of Christ. But, in order to arrive at the tomb, we must encounter his death. We must acknowledge the painful truth that God suffers and dies. In doing so, we must acknowledge our own mortality. The season of Lent addresses this reality like no other. We had to postpone, and then eventually cancel Ash Wednesday this year. So, we missed the opportunity to kick off the season by having our foreheads rubbed with ashes while being reminded that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Still, for forty days we walk with Jesus toward the cross. We draw closer and closer to the death of our savior. The ancient practice of giving something up for Lent is based in the idea that sacrificing something in our own lives helps us better relate, or more fully understand the sacrifice of Jesus as he walked toward his death. I know there are mixed feelings about whether or not we should give up things for Lent. Some believe that the idea of giving something up chocolate, alcohol, fried food can be self-serving. That s a fair critique. Do we give up chocolate to bring us closer to God or to lose a few pounds? But, the idea of giving up something we really love about this life is exactly what Jesus is talking about when he says, Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Chocolate or fried food might seem trivial. Lent really begs us to look at what deep, insidious elements of life on earth keep us from knowing God, from following Jesus. When Jesus says, Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out, I believe he gives us a clue at how to do the work introspection, how to observe what our lives are really about. What rules our lives? What worldly powers do we cling to? What can t we give up, what can t we live without? Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber writes: Lent is about hacking through self-delusion and false promises. Lent is about looking at our lives in as bright a light as possible, the light of Christ, to illumine that which moth and rust can consume and which thieves can steal. It is during this time of self-reflection and sacrificial giving and prayer that we make our way through the over grown and tangled mess of our lives. We trudge through the lies of our death-denying culture to seek the simple weighty truth of who we really are. This is not a season of taking up self-denial, it s a season of relinquishment. We let go of all the pretenses and destructive independence from God. We let go of defending ourselves. We let go of our indulgent self-loathing. ii It is in living this way that we can walk closer to Jesus as his death draws near.

3 I don t think that Jesus means that we are supposed to literally hate life. I think he means that when we love the part of life that separates us from God when we cling to power, self-reliance, material things, and all the trappings thereof we place our allegiance with the rulers of this world. This doesn t necessarily mean actual people in power. It means the things that put barriers between us and God. Maybe an addiction to chocolate or alcohol, or an insatiable desire for fine food does distance you from God. Maybe a drive to obtain new and better stuff gets in the way of your devotion to serving Jesus Christ. On a less material scale, our fears, prejudices, assumptions, anger, reputations, need for affirmation, or desires can become the central forces of our lives. And when we succumb to the rule of these things, we put distance between ourselves and God. I think that the work of hating these elements of our lives in this world is the hardest work we do. We don t easily turn our backs on these rulers of this world. I ve never known someone to give up fear for Lent. But, Jesus says that when we let this devotion die, new life is born. All along his walk to the cross, Jesus shows us what it takes to turn away from false gods, to deny the ways of this world. When the soldiers come to arrest him, Peter turns to violence in defense of Jesus, cutting off the ear of the high priest s slave. Jesus might have appreciated Peter s valiant action. But, rather than gratitude for this show of defense, Jesus commands Peter, Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me? (John 18:11) He heals the slave s ear. Again, when Pilate questions Jesus whether he is the king of the Jews, Jesus answers, My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here. (John 18:36) Jesus rejects the notion that fighting determines winners and losers. He proclaims a kingdom in which love rules and love wins. In his crucifixion and death, the rulers of this world appear to come up as the winner. But, I believe that long before even his trial, Jesus had relinquished any power the rulers of the world had over his life. Jesus went to the cross with not one single stumbling block between him and God. Jesus preaches the truth that out of death comes new life. The rulers of this world don t win. The tomb comes empty. All of this begs the question, to what must we die in order to find new life in our midst? If we can learn to hate the things that really kill, to turn our backs on false rulers of this world, what beautiful things might be born in this life? Dying to our fear of people who are different from us might mean the birth of new, fulfilling relationships. Dying to the assumption that we can t change the world might lead to a tiny step that changes one life for the better. Dying to the belief that things we own make us acceptable in this world might inspire us to give more away to people who actually need some material goods. Dying to the disappointment that we can t change the ones we love might help us change ourselves in order to love those people better.

4 I ve noticed that the Lent practices more people seem to gravitate toward are the opportunities to embrace positive change, like our volunteer opportunity to serve here in Highlands during Lent. Or writing notes of gratitude on each of the forty days. One proposal I read this year on a blog I frequent suggested giving up the practice of focusing on the faults of other people and, instead, looking for their good qualities. Separation from God isn t limited to our own personal relationship. Our distance from God has everything to do with how we relate to the rest of God s creation, too. Jesus and the neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi both offer us the gift of perspective that comes from the final days of life. I don t know, but I do suspect that when the end of our mortal days on earth stares us in the face we come closest to the understanding of what it means to hate our life on earth. We won t hate it because it is about to end. We will hate it because its time will no longer seem endless. When our days are numbered, we will no longer believe we can try harder tomorrow or pray more next week. Once our time becomes precious, we might draw closest to Jesus. Lent reminds us we don t have to wait that long. Paul Kalanithi died this month, on March 9th. Stanford published an obituary that told a rich story of his life. iii He wrote and taught during his last months. Doctors gave his articles to patients in their own last days. He worked with Stanford s palliative care education and training program, offering his perspective from both sides as a doctor and patient. He mentored younger residents, training them not only as surgeons, but also as caretakers. Everything about his story is beautiful to me. I read his words about facing death, and I hope my life can reflect truth and honesty and letting go of vanities like his. Out of his death comes so much life. Kalanithi wondered if he ought to write a collection of letters to his infant daughter, to part from this world leaving some sort of legacy. He decided against it. He left only these words for her to read when the time was right: When you come to one of the many moments in life when you must give an account of yourself, provide a ledger of what you have been, and done, and meant to the world, do not, I pray, discount that you filled a dying man s days with a sated joy, a joy unknown to me in all my prior years, a joy that does not hunger for more and more, but rests, satisfied. In this time, right now, that is an enormous thing. And as hard as it is to confront mortality, I believe that in Christ, death surely does not speak a final word. Jesus proclaims, And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. May we use these last weeks of Lent to draw closer to Jesus and the cross.

5 i ii iii

Meditation for Lent I Year B 2015 Marked for Discipleship The Cost of Discipleship

Meditation for Lent I Year B 2015 Marked for Discipleship The Cost of Discipleship Meditation for Lent I Year B 2015 Marked for Discipleship The Cost of Discipleship If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their

More information

High and Lifted Up March 18,2018 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida

High and Lifted Up March 18,2018 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida 1 High and Lifted Up March 18,2018 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida John 12:20-33 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.

More information

103 Benedic, anima mea. Ash Wednesday

103 Benedic, anima mea. Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday On this day, the Celebrant begins the liturgy with the Salutation and the Collect of the Day. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins

More information

ST. JOHN S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 405 Vliet Blvd. Cohoes NY 12047

ST. JOHN S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 405 Vliet Blvd. Cohoes NY 12047 . ST. JOHN S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 405 Vliet Blvd. Cohoes NY 12047 Est. 1831 Phone: 518 237 6013 For pastoral emergency: 518-608-1139 williamrhinrichs@gmail.com E-mail: stjohnscohoes@gmail.com Website: www.stjohnscohoes.org

More information

Can you not stay awake with me one hour?

Can you not stay awake with me one hour? A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Sean Lanigan Ash Wednesday~February 14, 2018 Isaiah 58:1-12 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house

More information

Worship Plan for Wednesday, March 01, 2017 Ash Wednesday ELW Holy Communion Setting One Wednesday, March 01, 2017

Worship Plan for Wednesday, March 01, 2017 Ash Wednesday ELW Holy Communion Setting One Wednesday, March 01, 2017 Worship Plan for Wednesday, March 01, 2017 Ash Wednesday ELW Holy Communion Setting One Wednesday, March 01, 2017 Introduction to the day Lent begins with a solemn call to fasting and repentance as we

More information

Getting Our Priorities Straight: The Almighty Dollar Matthew 6:19-34 March 27, 2011

Getting Our Priorities Straight: The Almighty Dollar Matthew 6:19-34 March 27, 2011 Getting Our Priorities Straight: The Almighty Dollar Matthew 6:19-34 March 27, 2011 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

More information

A Wounded Savior for a Wounded People

A Wounded Savior for a Wounded People A Wounded Savior for a Wounded People Joel 2:12-19 Return to the Lord 12 Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your

More information

Ash Wednesday February 14, :00 pm & 7:00 pm

Ash Wednesday February 14, :00 pm & 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday February 14, 2018 12:00 pm & 7:00 pm Welcome Visitors! Out of a broken and divided world, all people are welcomed into the whole body of Jesus Christ at St. John s. As children of one God,

More information

HOLY WEEK SERVICES. Dates & Times. EARLY EASTER Saturday, March 31 4:00 p.m. Community Easter Egg Hunt 5:00 p.m. Easter Festival Worship

HOLY WEEK SERVICES. Dates & Times. EARLY EASTER Saturday, March 31 4:00 p.m. Community Easter Egg Hunt 5:00 p.m. Easter Festival Worship PALM SUNDAY Sunday, March 25 8:15 & 10:15 a.m. HOLY WEEK SERVICES Dates & Times MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday, March 29 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY Friday, March 30 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. EARLY EASTER

More information

Just once more and then. I ll quit... Looking Deeper

Just once more and then. I ll quit... Looking Deeper Just once more and then I ll quit... Looking Deeper Looking Deeper Just once more and then I ll quit... Is there any way out of addiction? Addiction isn t just limited to illegal drugs or binge drinking.

More information

A Liturgy for Ash Wednesday For use in homes either privately or with others

A Liturgy for Ash Wednesday For use in homes either privately or with others A Liturgy for Ash Wednesday For use in homes either privately or with others This service should be conducted in a quiet place in the home. You might like to light a candle. Begin with a few moments of

More information

Ash Wednesday. What is it about?

Ash Wednesday. What is it about? Ash Wednesday What is it about? Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Season of Lent in the Church s year. Lent lasts for forty days and ends with the events of Holy Week and Easter commemorating Jesus

More information

.. Daily Devotions February 18-24, 2018 By Pastor Lisa Ubbelohde Christ Lutheran Parish, Ironwood. A week to reflect on the small catechism

.. Daily Devotions February 18-24, 2018 By Pastor Lisa Ubbelohde Christ Lutheran Parish, Ironwood. A week to reflect on the small catechism .. Daily Devotions February 18-24, 2018 By Pastor Lisa Ubbelohde Christ Lutheran Parish, Ironwood A week to reflect on the small catechism Sunday, February 18 - The 10 Commandments, #1-3 Text: Exodus 20:

More information

The Challenge of Lent Series Part 3. Mid-Year Instruction Reid Temple AME Church Pastor Washington

The Challenge of Lent Series Part 3. Mid-Year Instruction Reid Temple AME Church Pastor Washington The Challenge of Lent Series Part 3 { Mid-Year Instruction Reid Temple AME Church Pastor Washington Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday we began on a journey and a call to a Holy Fast. We put a mark on our forehead

More information

Developing a Desire for More. I Chronicles 4: 9-10

Developing a Desire for More. I Chronicles 4: 9-10 Developing a Desire for More I Chronicles 4: 9-10 Today is a special day for me and my family. I began my full-time ministry here one year ago on this Sunday morning. It has been a wonderful year. I am

More information

Holiday Survival Guide - 3

Holiday Survival Guide - 3 Holiday Survival Guide - 3 Tis the season for Worry 20-40% of total sales for the year will happen from Nov-Dec So when those stores have those crazy sales 40% off That just means that we have been overpaying

More information

LIVING LENT and TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES

LIVING LENT and TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES LIVING LENT and TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and

More information

You Want Us To Do What?!? I. Forgive

You Want Us To Do What?!? I. Forgive Charles R. Blaisdell, Senior Pastor First Christian Church Colorado Springs, Colorado April 7, 2013 2013 You Want Us To Do What?!? I. Forgive John 20:19-23 NRSV 19 When it was evening on that day, the

More information

ASH WEDNESDAY Dust You Are

ASH WEDNESDAY Dust You Are ASH WEDNESDAY Dust You Are Our Savior Lutheran Church Newton, Iowa March 1, 2017 Get to KNOW The God who KNOWs NEWton ASH WEDNESDAY Dust You Are March 1, 2017 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,

More information

Actually, that s not what Peter said. That s not what he said at all. What Peter actually said was, Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!

Actually, that s not what Peter said. That s not what he said at all. What Peter actually said was, Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man! Sermon for Zion Presbyterian Church, March 24, 2019 Hymns: 194 Come, Let Us To The Lord Our God; O How He Loves You And Me; 445- Open Our Eyes, Lord; 671 I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say Scripture: Mark

More information

Can These Bones Live? Ezekiel 37:1-14. A Sermon Preached by Ernest Thompson. First Presbyterian Church Wilmington, NC.

Can These Bones Live? Ezekiel 37:1-14. A Sermon Preached by Ernest Thompson. First Presbyterian Church Wilmington, NC. Can These Bones Live? Ezekiel 37:1-14 A Sermon Preached by Ernest Thompson First Presbyterian Church Wilmington, NC April 6, 2014 Our Scripture lesson this morning is centered on a strange question - Can

More information

The Reason Jesus Came

The Reason Jesus Came 03/25/2018 Palm Sunday John 12:20-33 COJLBC The Reason Jesus Came by Mark Jarvinen 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from

More information

Sermon for Ash Wednesday Year C 2016 Remember That You Are Dust

Sermon for Ash Wednesday Year C 2016 Remember That You Are Dust Sermon for Ash Wednesday Year C 2016 Remember That You Are Dust During the morning commute today, a few of my colleagues distributed ashes to those who were rushing off to their workdays. Many people lining

More information

Welcome to Bethany Lutheran Church! 320 N. Main, Lindsborg, Kansas The Rev. Loren D. Mai, Pastor. (7:00) Genevieve Bishop, Organist

Welcome to Bethany Lutheran Church! 320 N. Main, Lindsborg, Kansas The Rev. Loren D. Mai, Pastor. (7:00) Genevieve Bishop, Organist Welcome to Bethany Lutheran Church! 320 N. Main, Lindsborg, Kansas The Rev. Loren D. Mai, Pastor Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. PRELUDE (5:00) Dr. Steve Gustafson,

More information

They Were Kissing Cows --- Obvious Idols Matthew 6:19-24, Colossians 3:5 INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES

They Were Kissing Cows --- Obvious Idols Matthew 6:19-24, Colossians 3:5 INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES Kissing Cows --- Obvious Idols Page 1 of 8 They Were Kissing Cows --- Obvious Idols Matthew 6:19-24, Colossians 3:5 INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES They Were Kissing Cows. Just in case you were not here last

More information

Gospel of John Series for Lent. God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Gospel of John Series for Lent. God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Give Up, Take Up Gospel of John Series for Lent God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:5b LENT203 LIFE TOGETHER SMALL GROUP GUIDE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

More information

Ecclesiastes. Finding Purpose in Life Under the Sun. Lesson 11 - Wise and Joyful Living Ecclesiastes 11:1 12:1

Ecclesiastes. Finding Purpose in Life Under the Sun. Lesson 11 - Wise and Joyful Living Ecclesiastes 11:1 12:1 Ecclesiastes Finding Purpose in Life Under the Sun Lesson 11 - Wise and Joyful Living Ecclesiastes 11:1 12:1 Review Ecclesiastes Preacher; one who addresses an assembly Writer Solomon Theme Vanity - the

More information

REMEMBER YOU ARE DUST Post Christian and Presbyterian Churches -- February 28, 2010 Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12

REMEMBER YOU ARE DUST Post Christian and Presbyterian Churches -- February 28, 2010 Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 REMEMBER YOU ARE DUST Post Christian and Presbyterian Churches -- February 28, 2010 Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 For the last three months, I have been visiting a 15 year-old boy and his family who live in the

More information

ONE MONTH TO LIVE SERMON. Yom Kippur had been married for ten years but had not had any children.

ONE MONTH TO LIVE SERMON. Yom Kippur had been married for ten years but had not had any children. ONE MONTH TO LIVE SERMON Darla Barton, who lives in Clinton, Oklahoma, had been married for ten years but had not had any children. When people at her bank job asked her, How many kids do you have? she

More information

First Sunday of Lent The Cracks in all things Matthew 4:1-11 March 9, 2014

First Sunday of Lent The Cracks in all things Matthew 4:1-11 March 9, 2014 First Sunday of Lent The Cracks in all things Matthew 4:1-11 March 9, 2014 Thank the Worship Team for running with this idea of the mantle of Brigid a physical representation of God s presence with us

More information

Week 1. Number of candles lit prior to service: 6. Introduction: Scripture reading: Matthew Reflection: Prayer:

Week 1. Number of candles lit prior to service: 6. Introduction: Scripture reading: Matthew Reflection: Prayer: Week 1 Number of candles lit prior to service: 6 Scripture reading: Matthew 4.-11 We extinguish the first candle (EXTINGUISH CANDLE), as we remember Jesus lonely trial in the desert. This account reveals

More information

Does Goodness Have a Point? A Sermon on Psalm 1 by Rich Holmes Delivered on May 12, 2018 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Canton, Ohio

Does Goodness Have a Point? A Sermon on Psalm 1 by Rich Holmes Delivered on May 12, 2018 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Canton, Ohio Does Goodness Have a Point? A Sermon on Psalm 1 by Rich Holmes Delivered on May 12, 2018 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Canton, Ohio Why is it, why is it that so many times in this world

More information

3/31/2018. Resurrection Transformation

3/31/2018. Resurrection Transformation Resurrection Transformation 1 Matthew 27:57-66 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body

More information

Generosity #2 Uncovering the Heart John 12:1-8 10/9/16

Generosity #2 Uncovering the Heart John 12:1-8 10/9/16 Generosity #2 Uncovering the Heart John 12:1-8 10/9/16 - Author W.A. Criswell tells of an ambitious young man who told his pastor he'd promised God a tithe of his income. They prayed for God to bless his

More information

My sister Emily announced on Facebook last week that she is going off

My sister Emily announced on Facebook last week that she is going off SERMON: Hungry TEXT: Luke 4:1-13 My sister Emily announced on Facebook last week that she is going off sugar for a month. She was making it public for accountability and support, saying Please send prayers,

More information

Memorial Service: Michael D. Bush Oct. 27, 2017 Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Versailles, KY

Memorial Service: Michael D. Bush Oct. 27, 2017 Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Versailles, KY John 11:17-26 Memorial Service: Michael D. Bush Oct. 27, 2017 Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Versailles, KY Richard Burnett None of us expected to be here today. It is hard to imagine we are here and what

More information

Objective 1. Explain how the arrest of Jesus shows that the forces of evil had no control over Him.

Objective 1. Explain how the arrest of Jesus shows that the forces of evil had no control over Him. Lesson 18 John 18 In this lesson you will study... The Arrest of Jesus Jesus Before Annas Peter Denies Jesus The High Priest Questions Jesus Peter Denies Jesus Again Jesus Before Pilate Jesus Sentenced

More information

As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his

As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his Lenten Series: Live Like Jesus Is Dying. Jesus Sayings from the Cross Sermon #1: Father, Forgive Them... Scriptures: Luke 23:26, 33-34 Source: Rev. Adam Hamilton at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas

More information

Sermon for Advent II Year B 2017 Preparing for the Beginning

Sermon for Advent II Year B 2017 Preparing for the Beginning Sermon for Advent II Year B 2017 Preparing for the Beginning Recently I was reminded of the Thanksgiving Day prayer of that great theologian: Homer Simpson. If you are not a fan of the Simpsons, I apologize,

More information

When we come into church on Easter morning, it is a time of. celebration. The colors have changed from the solemn purple of Lent to

When we come into church on Easter morning, it is a time of. celebration. The colors have changed from the solemn purple of Lent to When we come into church on Easter morning, it is a time of celebration. The colors have changed from the solemn purple of Lent to a glorious panoply of gold and white. The plain wood furnishings around

More information

BIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS

BIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS BIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS www.bibleradio.org.au BIBLE ADVENTURES SCRIPT: A1932 ~ Job Tried and True. Welcome to Bible Adventures. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow. Jesus is Lord of all. The Bible book of

More information

[ I LLUMINATE ] Christ as Present Teacher [ILLUMINATE] Understanding the Way of Jesus. Friends Bible Study

[ I LLUMINATE ] Christ as Present Teacher [ILLUMINATE] Understanding the Way of Jesus. Friends Bible Study [ I LLUMINATE ] Christ as Present Teacher Understanding the Way of Jesus Unit 1 December 3 Concerning Fasting / 3 December 10 Do Not Worry / 11 December 17 Judging Others / 19 December 24 A Tree and Its

More information

Good Cheer in the Vale of Tears Genesis 28:10-22 Pastor Dan Matasovsky

Good Cheer in the Vale of Tears Genesis 28:10-22 Pastor Dan Matasovsky Dear Friends in Christ Jesus; Good Cheer in the Vale of Tears Genesis 28:10-22 Pastor Dan Matasovsky In thinking about an introduction to this message I typed in Jacob Ladder to see what I would get. All

More information

John 20:1-18 He is Alive! Easter Sunday March 27 th, 2016

John 20:1-18 He is Alive! Easter Sunday March 27 th, 2016 John 20:1-18 He is Alive! Easter Sunday March 27 th, 2016 The final stone has been removed! The Temple curtain torn in two, torn from top to bottom. Jesus is alive! Can you say that with me? Jesus is Alive!!!

More information

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Ash Wednesday Lent begins with a solemn call to fasting and repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. As we hear in today s readings, now is the acceptable

More information

SILENCE FOR PRAYER & MEDITATION PRELUDE GATHERING. GATHERING PSALM PSALM 51 Congregation sings refrain

SILENCE FOR PRAYER & MEDITATION PRELUDE GATHERING. GATHERING PSALM PSALM 51 Congregation sings refrain SILENCE FOR PRAYER & MEDITATION PRELUDE GATHERING GATHERING PSALM PSALM 51 Congregation sings refrain GREETING (Minister) The Lord be with you. (People) And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY (Together)

More information

Ash Wednesday/Midweek 1 Matthew 26:20-25 Sermon #949 March 5, 2019 Erich Jonathan Hoeft

Ash Wednesday/Midweek 1 Matthew 26:20-25 Sermon #949 March 5, 2019 Erich Jonathan Hoeft Ash Wednesday/Midweek 1 Matthew 26:20-25 Sermon #949 March 5, 2019 Erich Jonathan Hoeft When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, Truly, I say to you,

More information

BE STILL & KNOW. a 40-Day Devotional. And we pray you are inspired to trust that God has a plan. And to hear it, you need only be still.

BE STILL & KNOW. a 40-Day Devotional. And we pray you are inspired to trust that God has a plan. And to hear it, you need only be still. BE STILL & KNOW a 40-Day Devotional Winter. It is such a daunting season of snow and ice, cold winds and frigid temperatures, yet in it, there is serene beauty and quiet. Although we can t see it, under

More information

THE FIRST DAY OF LENT: ASH WEDNESDAY

THE FIRST DAY OF LENT: ASH WEDNESDAY The First Lesson. The Reader begins A Reading from the Book of Joel Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is

More information

As I was walking out of the bedroom door, one of the kids said, dad, how come God never says anything to me?

As I was walking out of the bedroom door, one of the kids said, dad, how come God never says anything to me? SERMON TITLE: My Lord and My God TEXT: John 20:24-31 PREACHED AT: Neighbourhood Church BY: Ryan Dueck DATE: May 1, 2011/2 nd Sunday of Easter One day, I can t remember how many years ago, a familiar scene

More information

THE PARADOX OF PALM SUNDAY (03/20/16) Scripture Lesson: John 12:1-26

THE PARADOX OF PALM SUNDAY (03/20/16) Scripture Lesson: John 12:1-26 Scripture Lesson: John 12:1-26 THE PARADOX OF PALM SUNDAY (03/20/16) The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees

More information

Advent 1 - Dec A way out of the Maze Luke 3 - John the Baptist

Advent 1 - Dec A way out of the Maze Luke 3 - John the Baptist P a g e 1 Advent 1 - Dec. 2 2018 A way out of the Maze Luke 3 - John the Baptist I have a story to tell you. It s the story of something that happened to me on one of our mission trips to West Virginia.

More information

SO GREAT SALVATION - IN FORGIVENESS EPH. 1:7; COL. 1:14

SO GREAT SALVATION - IN FORGIVENESS EPH. 1:7; COL. 1:14 . SO GREAT SALVATION - IN FORGIVENESS EPH. 1:7; COL. 1:14 INTRODUCTION: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" This probing question in the letter to the Hebrews is a reminder to us

More information

Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes

Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes February 14, 2018 Noon & 7:00 pm Church of the Holy Trinity 6001 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510 402-488-7139 www.holytrinitylincoln.com The Rev. Susanna DesMarais, Rector

More information

ASH WEDNESDAY February 18, 2015 Idlewild Presbyterian Church (USA)

ASH WEDNESDAY February 18, 2015 Idlewild Presbyterian Church (USA) ASH WEDNESDAY February 18, 2015 Idlewild Presbyterian Church (USA) Call to Worship Creator Lord, open our lips. We will praise you. Redeemer Lord, you desire truth. Teach us wisdom and integrity. Sustaining

More information

Treated Like Royalty

Treated Like Royalty June 23, 20133 The National Presbyterian Church Treated Like Royalty Matthew 25:31-46 Dr. David Renwick In our sermons through the spring and summer we re looking together at the teaching of Jesus, especially

More information

Gospel. [Jesus said to the disciples:] 1 Beware of practicing your piety before others in

Gospel. [Jesus said to the disciples:] 1 Beware of practicing your piety before others in Page!1 Rev. Timothy M. Crummitt Ash Wednesday - Year C St. Paul s Lutheran Church Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 51:1-17 2 Corinthians 4:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Gospel The Holy Gospel according

More information

The Cup Of Deliverance

The Cup Of Deliverance CORNERSTONE CHURCH April 12,,2015 The Cup Of Deliverance Part 4 The Purpose of This Series::When He makes a promise, He always fulfills it. The Bible is clear, not only will God intervene on behalf of

More information

those who would destroy Jesus at last have their; it is the very time of demons as

those who would destroy Jesus at last have their; it is the very time of demons as Mark 15:33-39 Darkness Descends Darkness descends upon the earth, like the darkness before the world was made, and Jesus cries out this despairing cry of abandonment. It is the victory of evil as those

More information

Mark 16:1-8 The Final 24 Hours of Jesus: The Greatest Monument for the Greatest Moment

Mark 16:1-8 The Final 24 Hours of Jesus: The Greatest Monument for the Greatest Moment Mark 16:1-8 The Final 24 Hours of Jesus: The Greatest Monument for the Greatest Moment Since the ancient beginnings of humankind, there has been the practice of societies to mark their great victories

More information

Start Timer! Life Change from the Heart Step 10: Continued Humility, Part 1 of Three Focuses of a Vibrant Christian Life John 21:15-19 Kevin Haah

Start Timer! Life Change from the Heart Step 10: Continued Humility, Part 1 of Three Focuses of a Vibrant Christian Life John 21:15-19 Kevin Haah Start Timer! [Slide 1] Happy New Year to all of you! We are in a final part of a series called,. This is a series about how God changes us from the heart through the gospel. We have showed you that the

More information

The answer to the first question is easy. Doubters are everywhere.

The answer to the first question is easy. Doubters are everywhere. 1 First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Dr. Frank Allen, Pastor 4/19/2009 A Sermon for Doubters John 20:19-31 (NRSV) [19] When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors

More information

Christ, Christ crucified.

Christ, Christ crucified. 1 Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 Christ, Christ crucified. The Rev. Fleming Rutledge ----- Anglican priest and preacher ---- recently wrote a book entitled ---- The Crucifixion ---

More information

The First Day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday February 14, :30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes, Rite II

The First Day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday February 14, :30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes, Rite II CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH The First Day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday February 14, 2018 7:30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes, Rite II The ashes used for Ash Wednesday are by tradition made

More information

The Day When the Sun Will Refuse to Shine December 3, 2017 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida

The Day When the Sun Will Refuse to Shine December 3, 2017 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida 1 The Day When the Sun Will Refuse to Shine December 3, 2017 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Mark 13:24-37 24 But in those days, after that suffering, the

More information

The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills ASH WEDNESDAY March 1, Noon. -Enter in Silence-

The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills ASH WEDNESDAY March 1, Noon. -Enter in Silence- ASH WEDNESDAY The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills ASH WEDNESDAY March 1, 2017 Noon -Enter in Silence- PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP O Lord, my creator, redeemer, and comforter, as I come to worship You in spirit

More information

Today is the first Sunday in Lent, and on this day, we reflect on the wilderness experience of Jesus.

Today is the first Sunday in Lent, and on this day, we reflect on the wilderness experience of Jesus. Pitt Street Uniting Church, 14 February 2016 A Contemporary Reflection by Rev Dr Margaret Mayman Lent 1C Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4: 1-13; Contemporary Reading (see page 3) Wouldn t it make a difference

More information

Sermon, May 28, Peter 1:5:6-11 & John 14:18-21; The Tomb is Still Empty: A New Peace Reverend Cheryl Foulk

Sermon, May 28, Peter 1:5:6-11 & John 14:18-21; The Tomb is Still Empty: A New Peace Reverend Cheryl Foulk Sermon, May 28, 2017 1 Peter 1:5:6-11 & John 14:18-21; 25-27 The Tomb is Still Empty: A New Peace Reverend Cheryl Foulk For many years, the tales of Winnie the Pooh, a lovable bear and his friends, has

More information

8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. 1 Mark 16:1-8 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when

More information

TAKING CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS

TAKING CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS 1 Luke 21:25-34 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding

More information

Good Friday: The Revelation of the Cross

Good Friday: The Revelation of the Cross Good Friday: The Revelation of the Cross The season of Lent, and this prayer walk, are meant to be a spiritual journey between you and God alone. And as such, we don t want to fill in all of the blanks

More information

One of the many hard lumps in the forgiveness dough: You may forgive me, but that doesn t mean that I will forgive.

One of the many hard lumps in the forgiveness dough: You may forgive me, but that doesn t mean that I will forgive. March 15, 2015 Larry DeLong Out of the Depths Psalm 130 I used to make lots of breads and pizza crust. My family wishes I still did. It s a great way to use your hands, and the results are so good! Assuming,

More information

HELP! SOMEONE I LOVE HAS CANCER. Deborah Howard, RN, CHPN. Consulting Editor: Dr. Paul Tautges

HELP! SOMEONE I LOVE HAS CANCER. Deborah Howard, RN, CHPN. Consulting Editor: Dr. Paul Tautges HELP! SOMEONE I LOVE HAS CANCER Deborah Howard, RN, CHPN Consulting Editor: Dr. Paul Tautges Contents Acknowledgments 6 Introduction 7 1 Let Me Walk with You 11 2 Knowledge Is Power 20 3 What Are the Options?

More information

FINDING LIFE S PURPOSE

FINDING LIFE S PURPOSE FINDING LIFE S PURPOSE A Sermon Preached by Cheryl M. Walker All Souls Unitarian Church, New York December 30, 2007 The new year is almost here, it s time to take stock of the year that is ending and start

More information

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

STATIONS OF THE CROSS STATIONS OF THE CROSS By Anthony Kelly, C.Ss.R., STD Opening Prayer: Holy God, Loving and Merciful One, we come to you in the darkness of our world. The weight of our cares and our responsibilities, of

More information

From the Chair. Finding light in darkness. When Life is Ending booklet release. Julia Trimboli, MA Theology & Bioethics

From the Chair. Finding light in darkness. When Life is Ending booklet release. Julia Trimboli, MA Theology & Bioethics From: Susannah Duncan - SVPHM on behalf of CCCHE - SVPHM To: CCCHE - SVPHM Subject: Chisholm Health Ethics E-Bulletin June 2017 Date: Wednesday, 21 June 2017 11:29:49 AM Edition Contents From the Chair

More information

Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse

Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse Day of for Survivors of Abuse Resources Devotions Introduction The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has highlighted the importance of prayer and suggested to Pope Francis that

More information

Prayer that Breaks Every Chain

Prayer that Breaks Every Chain Prayer that Breaks Every Chain Acts 12 Sunday, April 15, 2018 Five years ago, Will Reagan wrote the song Break Every Chain. It was then produced by VaShawn Mitchell and it was first released on Timiney

More information

THE PROMISE OF HOME THE PRAYER GUIDE. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.

THE PROMISE OF HOME THE PRAYER GUIDE. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you. THE PROMISE OF HOME THE ER GUIDE Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you. Genesis 13:17 W E L C O M E Hey illuminate, Thanks for joining us in studying the Bible

More information

A Hungry Crowd: Hungry for What?

A Hungry Crowd: Hungry for What? November 13, 2011 The National Presbyterian Church A Hungry Crowd: Hungry for What? John 6:1-29 Dr. David Renwick Let us pray: Holy God, we ve come before you like that great crowd of 5,000 on the shore

More information

The plot thickens in the story of Jesus as we head toward Holy Week.

The plot thickens in the story of Jesus as we head toward Holy Week. The Hidden Jesus John 12.20-36 March 22, 2015, Lent V Tim Phillips, Seattle First Baptist Church The plot thickens in the story of Jesus as we head toward Holy Week. After teaching and healing and, most

More information

Ash Wednesday March 6, 2019 Divine Service, Setting Five, p 213. Confession p Absolution p. 214

Ash Wednesday March 6, 2019 Divine Service, Setting Five, p 213. Confession p Absolution p. 214 Ash Wednesday March 6, 2019 Divine Service, Setting Five, p 213 Confession p. 213 Imposition of Ashes Absolution p. 214 Introit Create in Me a Clean Heart Psalm 51:1 3, 10 12 The sacrifices of God are

More information

SERMON OF THE WEEK. First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Ko olau

SERMON OF THE WEEK. First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Ko olau SERMON OF THE WEEK First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Ko olau March 17, 2019 Falling Into Freedom - Hope Restored Sermon Series The Rev. Tim Shaw W e re continuing our sermon series through the Gospel

More information

Odes of Solomon Continued

Odes of Solomon Continued Odes of Solomon Continued Solomon - Peaceable and Full of Love The grass withers and the tree dies; but they that trust in the LORD GOD Endure Forever. There is no landscape where their beauty isn't seen;

More information

Pray More Lenten Retreat - Transcript. Redemptive Suffering Mary Lenaburg

Pray More Lenten Retreat - Transcript. Redemptive Suffering Mary Lenaburg Redemptive Suffering Mary Lenaburg Hi everyone. My name s Mary Lenaburg, and it is a privilege to be with you today. We re going to talk about suffering with joy. But first, I want to bring our lady into

More information

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

The Parable of the Unjust Steward The Parable of the Unjust Steward Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. Luke 16:1-9 Then

More information

That might be how it feels on Palm Sunday, celebrating the victory while the struggle is ongoing.

That might be how it feels on Palm Sunday, celebrating the victory while the struggle is ongoing. It seems like an odd day for a celebration Jesus is marching into Jerusalem, crowds cheering, palm branches waving, hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! but he knows what s coming. This parade is known as the Triumphal

More information

Year B: Questions of the Week

Year B: Questions of the Week Year B: Questions of the Week Submitted by jspurgin on Thu, 06/29/2017-14:43 JUMP TO MONTH: Dec 2017 Jan 2018 Feb 2018 Mar 2018 Apr 2018 May 2018 Jun 2018 Jul 2018 Aug 2018 Sep 2018 Oct 2018 Nov 2018 December

More information

Observing Lent. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 265

Observing Lent. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 265 1 Observing Lent I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God s holy Word. The Book of Common

More information

vive la vida VIVRE SA VIE LIVE LIFE

vive la vida VIVRE SA VIE LIVE LIFE vive la vida VIVRE SA VIE LIVE LIFE VIVA VA A VIDA ishi maisha 0 1 2 SETUP FAST PRAY 3 4 5 GIVE THANK SERVE 6 REFLECT 7 CELEBRATE 2 SETUP WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE LIFE TO TRULY LIVE LIFE AS GOD INTENDED

More information

LENT & HOLY WEEK PRAYER GUIDE

LENT & HOLY WEEK PRAYER GUIDE in 2016 LENT & HOLY WEEK PRAYER GUIDE in 2016 LENT & HOLY WEEK PRAYER GUIDE In a traditional church calendar, the 40 days leading up to Palm Sunday are known as the season of Lent. It s a season of fasting

More information

No Ordinary Man. Background

No Ordinary Man. Background G No Ordinary Man Walking With the Servant Savior Mark 14:43-72 Inductive Women s Bible Fellowship Lesson 19 ethsemane. The night was clear and cold. So was the purpose of the torchcarrying band of Roman

More information

Healing the Broken Heart A community gathering for those affected by sexual violence

Healing the Broken Heart A community gathering for those affected by sexual violence Healing the Broken Heart A community gathering for those affected by sexual violence Healing the Broken Heart 2016--1 This template, for a very moving and healing assembly, was created by St. Joseph s

More information

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE...?

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE...? If you re at all like me, you ve probably discovered it can be really hard to make lasting changes in your life. Here we are in July, six months into 2014; six months since those new year s resolutions

More information

St. Margaret s Uniting Church

St. Margaret s Uniting Church St. Margaret s Uniting Church Mooroolbark Sunday 17 th April, 2011 Palm Sunday GOSPEL Matthew 21:1-11 NEW TESTAMENT Philippians 2:5-11 REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES It wasn t long after Ani and I moved

More information

3/15/2015 The Cross 1

3/15/2015 The Cross 1 "The Cross" From time to time we each need to take a close look at the cross of Christ. Hello, I m Phil Sanders; and this is a Bible study, In Search of the Lord s Way. Today we re going to focus on the

More information

10John The Plan. The Goals. Lesson

10John The Plan. The Goals. Lesson 106 Lesson 10John 18 19 The Plan A. The Arrest of Jesus B. Peter Denies Jesus Twice C. Jesus Before Pilate D. Jesus Nailed to the Cross E. The Burial of Jesus The Goals 1. Explain how the arrest of Jesus

More information

Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church 921 Madison Avenue, New York, NY

Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church 921 Madison Avenue, New York, NY Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church 921 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 212-288-8920 www.mapc.com Ash Wednesday February 14, 2018 at Noon and 7 pm SERVICE OF WORD AND SACRAMENT Please silence your cellular

More information

Sermon Mark 10:35-45, the greatest October 18, Title: Servant to all

Sermon Mark 10:35-45, the greatest October 18, Title: Servant to all Sermon Mark 10:35-45, the greatest October 18, 2015 HPMF Title: Servant to all Mark 10:35-45 35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, Teacher, we want you to do for

More information