LOVE AGAIN. A sermon preached by Galen Guengerich All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City April 5, 2015
|
|
- Harold Lester
- 6 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 LOVE AGAIN A sermon preached by Galen Guengerich All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City April 5, 2015 Several days ago, the UK newspaper The Telegraph published a photograph of Gunter and Ursula Lubitz arriving at a chapel near the village of Seyne-les-Alpes in France. The photo was taken the day after Germanwings flight 9525 plowed into a nearby mountain, killing all 150 people aboard. Even from a distance, Gunter and Ursula Lubitz appear stunned and somewhat detached, both from each other and from the police officer escorting them. And why wouldn t they be in shock? Their 27-year-old son Andreas, who served as co-pilot on the flight, was among the dead. What we now know is that their nightmare had barely begun. Their son had battled depression for years and had occasionally contemplated suicide. For reasons yet unknown, his suicidal thoughts metastasized into homicidal intentions. After locking the pilot out of the cockpit during flight 9525, Andreas Lubitz set the autopilot for an altitude of 100 feet in a region where ground level is 6,000 feet. Then he sat in silence while the plane drove itself into a mountain. Bernard Bertolini, the mayor of a small village near the crash site, met with Gunter and Ursula Lubitz after they knew the full scope of the horror. He described them as people whose lives were in ruin. He said, They are at the center of a tragedy they did not seek. Nearly 2,000 years ago, after a brief career as an apocalyptic preacher in the hinterlands of Palestine, an itinerant Jewish teacher named Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The modest crowd gathered to welcome him hoped he could defeat their brutal Roman overlords. Christians today celebrate what they call his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as Palm Sunday. Within a few days, however, the Romans had convicted Jesus of sedition and sentenced him to death by crucifixion. Over the years, the Romans had erected thousands of crosses to execute dissidents and dissuade their followers. As Jesus hung from one of them, the gospels say that he uttered seven last sayings. One saying was directed to his mother, who had gathered with Jesus friends and followers to keep him company during his final hours. Jesus said to her, apparently while directing her attention to John, Jesus favorite follower, Behold your son. And then he said to John, Behold your mother, thus conferring upon them a new relationship, one of mother and son. Apparently, Jesus hoped that having John as a replacement son would ease his mother s pain. It s a touching gesture by a dying man who obviously loved his mother. But when Jesus said to her, Behold your son, my guess is that her eyes never left the cross. Within five days, he would go from being a minor hero to being dead. As his ~ 1 ~
2 mother, this was not the destiny she desired for him. This was a tragedy she did not seek. While the differences between the deaths of Jesus and Andreas Lubitz could hardly be greater, my mind has been drawn to their parents. Whatever they might have desired for their children, it certainly wasn t this. Easter is about finding ourselves in the center of a tragedy we did not seek. Sometimes, as with the mother of Jesus and the parents of Andreas Lubitz, we are bystanders to a tragedy involving our children, our parents, or our friends. It may involve bad choices, bad outcomes, or just bad luck. At other times, tragedy may happen to us. We may have caused it, and we may even have deserved it. But, as with tragedies involving people we care about, it s not what we were looking for. It s not the outcome we had imagined. In one of her recent poems, the contemporary American poet Ellen Bass describes the feeling of being annihilated by loss and enervated by grief. It s a time, she says, when everything you've held dear crumbles like burnt paper in your hands, your throat filled with the silt of it. When grief sits with you, its tropical heat thickening the air, heavy as water more fit for gills than lungs; when grief weights you like your own flesh only more of it, an obesity of grief. you think, how long can a body withstand this? Have you ever felt grief so heavy that it seems to weigh more than you do? Has your life ever crumbled like burnt paper in your hands? Have you ever wondered how long you can withstand the weight of whatever burden you are trying to bear? If so, then you re ready for Easter. Easter begins when something we care about crumbles. Easter begins when we feel suffocated by grief. If you are celebrating Easter at All Souls for the first time, this emphasis may surprise you. In many churches today, the Easter anthem proclaims that Jesus Christ is Risen Today. Here at All Souls, we typically don t use the name Jesus Christ. Our preference is to speak of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was an itinerant Jewish teacher who believed the world would end within the lifetime of his disciples. He urged his followers to become, as the poet William Blake put it, the human form of love divine. We call him the Jesus of history to distinguish him from the Christ of Christian doctrine. Christians believe that the Christ the term means Messiah was both fully human and fully divine. As such, he is believed to have lived a perfect life, died a ~ 2 ~
3 blameless death, and risen from the dead. In this way, he became Christ the king, sovereign ruler of history and savior of humanity. If you find the Christ scenario hard to accept when presented as actual history, which it usually is, you re in good company. But my guess is that you did not come to All Souls this morning because of what you don t believe in. Like me, you have come because somehow, inexplicably perhaps, you believe in Easter. According to the earliest gospel account, three women who were close to Jesus took spices to his tomb on Sunday morning to anoint his body, as was customary. To their surprise, the tomb was open, and a young man sat inside, dressed in a long, flowing white robe the conventional garb of an angel. He explained that Jesus had been raised lifted up. The verb translated raised is a widely-used Greek verb that would typically have meant something like he has been lifted up and taken elsewhere. The verb was sometimes used metaphorically, so you can read it as resurrection if that s what you re looking for. In response to the empty tomb, the three women, according to the gospel, went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. In the earliest manuscripts of the earliest gospel, the story ends here. Easter doesn t begin with a peal of trumpets and a profusion of daffodils. It begins with terror and fear. It begins when everything has crumbled. Monica Lewinsky certainly knows what it s like to have your world crumble. You may have noticed that she s back in the public eye. Last year, she wrote a long article for Vanity Fair, and her recent TED talk has gone viral. After reading the article and watching the TED talk, I m deeply moved by her prophetic moral courage. For the past 15 years, Monica Lewinsky has existed in our public discourse mainly as the punchline of unremittingly sexist, sleazy, and sophomoric jokes. After having been continually crucified by malicious politicians and a salacious public, however, Lewinsky has recently come back to life. Her story is indeed a resurrection story, just in time for Easter. Lewinsky begins her recent Ted talk by saying, At the age of 22, I fell in love with my boss Like me, a few of you may have also taken wrong turns at age 22 and fallen in love with the wrong person, maybe even your boss. Unlike me, though, your boss probably wasn't the president of the United States of America. Lewinsky goes on to describe the unprecedented political, legal and media maelstrom that engulfed her. In addition to being falsely maligned by Clinton s supporters and duplicitously manipulated by his opponents, she found herself making media history. She says, It was the first time the traditional news was usurped by the Internet for a major news story, a click that reverberated around the world. What that meant for me personally was that overnight I went from being a completely private figure to a publicly humiliated one worldwide. I was patient zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously. ~ 3 ~
4 Surreptitious recordings of her phone conversations were aired on television and made available online. She acknowledges that, in those unguarded chats with a friend she mistakenly trusted, she sometimes comes across as catty and uncouth, even cruel and unforgiving. As she listened deeply to the worst version of herself on tape, she says, she felt deeply, deeply ashamed. She says, The public humiliation was excruciating. Life was almost unbearable. Lewinsky points out that stealing people s private words, actions, conversations or photos and using them for shame and public humiliation has become one of our society s favorite blood sports. This pattern of cyber violence has created a culture of humiliation, leading to an increase in suicides, especially among young people. As a nation, we should be ashamed of ourselves. Lewinsky s prophetic call for a return to our long-held value of compassion is well worth heeding. She notes that we talk a lot about our right to free expression, but we need to talk more about our responsibility for free expression. She quips, Just imagine walking a mile in someone else's headline. For her part, Lewinsky had to walk in her own headlines. She says, looking back, I lost my reputation and my dignity. I lost almost everything, and I almost lost my life. In her poem, Ellen Bass writes: [when] everything you've held dear crumbles like burnt paper in your hands When grief weights you like your own flesh only more of it you think, how long can a body withstand this? The message of Easter is that tragedy need not have the final word. Whether the tragedy is ours or someone else s, whether caused by bad decisions or bad luck, we always stand at the intersection of what s past and what s possible. In response to whatever has happened, we need to accept ourselves as we are. And we need to accept our circumstances as they are. It may not be the life we desire, but it s ours either to spurn or to embrace. In her poem, Ellen Bass goes on to describe the Easter option. She writes: The thing is to love life, to love it even when you have no stomach for it Then you hold life like a face between your palms, a plain face, no charming smile, no violet eyes, and you say, yes, I will take you I will love you again. ~ 4 ~
5 After 15 years of trying to hide from the world and from herself, Monica Lewinsky decided to love her life again. As she puts it, she decided that it's time: time to stop tiptoeing around my past; time to stop living a life of opprobrium; and time to take back my narrative. She adds that anyone who is suffering from shame and humiliation needs to know one thing: You can survive it. I know it's hard. It may not be painless, quick or easy, but you can insist on a different ending to your story. The same is true of other tragedies. I don t know what calamity has ambushed you. I don t know how you have failed yourself and those you care about. I don t know where your weaknesses have sabotaged you or your fears have thwarted you. But I know that you can survive them. It s Easter, the season of new possibilities. Whatever bad turn your story has taken, you can insist on a different ending. Today, hold your life like a face between your palms. Say yes, I will take you. I will love you again. ~ 5 ~
THE FIRST OF MANY BEGINNINGS. A sermon by Galen Guengerich All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City April 16, 2017
THE FIRST OF MANY BEGINNINGS A sermon by Galen Guengerich All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City April 16, 2017 I love almost everything about the Easter season: the rapturous music, the colorful pageantry,
More information8 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 informationWalk a Mile in His Shoes by Rev. Kathy Sides (Preached at Fort Des Moines UMC )
Walk a Mile in His Shoes by Rev. Kathy Sides (Preached at Fort Des Moines UMC 4-12-2015) In 1970 Joe South wrote and sang a song entitled Walk a Mile in My Shoes. How many of you remember it? It was basically
More informationA Courageous Councilmember and Two Watching Women
A Courageous Councilmember and Two Watching Women Text: Mark 15:40 16:8 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of
More informationWho Will Roll Away the Stone? Sermon by Rev. Peter Shidemantle Easter Sunday April 1, 2018
Who Will Roll Away the Stone? Sermon by Rev. Peter Shidemantle Easter Sunday April 1, 2018 It was one of those junior high English class writing assignments that I hated. The assignment was to write a
More informationEaster 2014 Readings and Sermon Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris Practice Resurrection April 20, 2014
Easter 2014 Readings and Sermon Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris Practice Resurrection April 20, 2014 Reading: Mark 16:1-8 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome
More informationSome of you have come because a relative laid down the law and said, It s Easter. You are going to church! You can t fool me. I know who you are!
1 First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Dr. Frank Allen, Pastor 4/12/09 The Stone is Rolled Away Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV) [16:1] When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James,
More informationTo Love the Broken World February 12, Readings. The Thing Is, by Ellen Bass
To Love the Broken World February 12, 2017 Readings The Thing Is, by Ellen Bass to love life, to love it even when you have no stomach for it and everything you ve held dear crumbles like burnt paper in
More informationBELOW EXPECTATIONS THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 30, 2017 BECKY ROBBINS-PENNIMAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, DUNEDIN, FL
BELOW EXPECTATIONS THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 30, 2017 BECKY ROBBINS-PENNIMAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, DUNEDIN, FL COLLECT OF THE DAY O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the
More informationAnd they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.
THE GLORY OF THE CROSS Mark 10:32-45 Fifth Sunday in Lent (Series B) March 18, 2018 Trinity Free Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND The gospel lesson for the Fifth Sunday in Lent comes from The Gospel According
More informationThe Gospel of Mark: Jesus, The Suffering Servant. Mark 15:42 16:8
The Gospel of Mark: Jesus, The Suffering Servant Mark 15:42 16:8 Mark 15:42 16:8 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea,
More informationMark was the first person that we know of to write down the story of Jesus life. In
A Sermon for Easter Day 2015 The Rev. Dr. Bill Doggett St. James Church, Mt. Airy. Maryland Alleluia! Christ is risen! Mark was the first person that we know of to write down the story of Jesus life. In
More informationAll Bets Are Off Mark 16: 1-8, by Marshall Zieman, preached Easter Sunday 2018 at PCOC
All Bets Are Off Mark 16: 1-8, by Marshall Zieman, preached Easter Sunday 2018 at PCOC All the hopes and expectations of Christians are realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, making
More informationThe Empty Tomb. Focus on Mark 16:1 8. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION. WHAT is important to know? WHERE is God in these words?
April 1, 2018 Easter Day Acts 10:34 43 Ps. 118:1 2, 14 24 1 Cor. 15:1 11 Mark 16:1 8 The Empty Tomb Goal for the Session Children will be amazed with Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Salome at the discovery of
More informationFleeing from the Tomb Mark 16:5-8. The text for this sermon, the theme of which is, Fleeing from the Tomb,
Easter B Fleeing from the Tomb Mark 16:5-8 The text for this sermon, the theme of which is, Fleeing from the Tomb, is Mark 16:5-8. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed
More informationTalk with Me: Communication at End of Life. Laura Lewis PhD MSW BSW RSW Eunice Gorman PhD MSW RN RSW Andrew Feron MSW RSW
Talk with Me: Communication at End of Life Laura Lewis PhD MSW BSW RSW Eunice Gorman PhD MSW RN RSW Andrew Feron MSW RSW The universal human experience... Domain: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews
More informationThe Real. Jesus. A study through the Gospel of Luke. BOOK 5: His resurrection
The Real Jesus A study through the Gospel of Luke BOOK 5: His resurrection 3 T h e R e a l J e s u s 4 T h e R e a l J e s u s BECOMING A CHRISTIAN In the Bible, God reveals His truth about how to have
More informationpage 2 Chapter 2, verse 7 page 233 page _3_, in chapter 3
09/11/2016 Pentecost 17 Narrative Lectionary Week 1 God Walks; We Hide: Sin, Shame, Forgiveness Rev. Seth Jones Scripture: Genesis 2:4b 7, 15 17, 3:1 8 This week, we begin a new way of going through Scripture
More informationPalm Sunday Sermons. Sermon 1
Sermon 1 Over and over again in the long story of the church, Christian people have acted the roles we encounter today, not just on Palm Sunday, but in the daily life of parishes, dioceses, and the worldwide
More informationRev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind.
Rev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who
More informationDay 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 informationWhy we are here. Luke 2: I love this poem by Phillip Brooks which begins like this:
Why we are here Luke 2: 1-14 I love this poem by Phillip Brooks which begins like this: Christmas tonight! Christmas in lands of the fir tree and pine, Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine; Christmas
More informationThe Road to the Empty Tomb Part 2 The Road To Victory Luke 19:35-44
The Road to the Empty Tomb Part 2 The Road To Victory Luke 19:35-44 Today we observe Palm Sunday. This is the day commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Triumphal means to celebrating
More informationWhy do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.
HE HAS RISEN! Luke 24:1-35 Key Verses: 24:5b-6 Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee. In this passage,
More informationActually, this is true of pretty much every important day on the Christian calendar.
RIDICULOUS VICTORY JOHN 20:1-18; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:19-26 LETHBRIDGE MENNONITE CHURCH BY: RYAN DUECK MARCH 27, 2016/EASTER SUNDAY/RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Easter is a pretty ridiculous thing. Actually, this
More informationSermon Pastor Ray Lorthioir Trinity Lutheran Church W. Hempstead, NY First Sunday of Advent. Which Reality?
Sermon 12-2-18 Pastor Ray Lorthioir Trinity Lutheran Church W. Hempstead, NY First Sunday of Advent Which Reality? Carol and I were enjoying a Burger King dinner on Friday when she leaned over to me and
More informationThe Three R s Various passages April 1, 2018
The Three R s Various passages April 1, 2018 Introduction: One of the fundamental axioms of elementary education is that you need to teach kids what is referred to as the three R s: reading, writing, and
More informationOF SPICES AND ANGELS
OF SPICES AND ANGELS A sermon preached by the Rev. Aaron Billard St. John s United Church, Moncton, NB Easter Sunday ~ April 8, 2012 Mark 16:1-8 1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
More information(This text is also the gospel text for Third Sunday of Easter)
HE IS RISEN! LET S CELEBRATE EASTER March 26 & 27, 2016 - Easter Gospels in Year C The gospel accounts of Jesus resurrection are much like the accounts of his birth. While they are descriptions of a historical
More informationThe One with all the questions: What Are You Discussing? Luke 24: 13-35
February 19, 2012 Pastor Jeremy Vaccaro Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church The One with all the questions: What Are You Discussing? Luke 24: 13-35 Today as we continue our series on the ONE with all the questions
More informationMessage: Shame, Guilt and Christian Identity Have you ever felt ashamed? Shame has always been with us
Message: Shame, Guilt and Christian Identity Have you ever felt ashamed? I m talking about the deep-down, heart-felt feeling of shame, when we feel like we ve failed in some important way. The answer is
More informationJESUS SAID: I AM WILLING. BE CLEAN!
JESUS SAID: I AM WILLING. BE CLEAN! Luke 5:12-16 Key Verse: 5:13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am willing, he said. Be clean! And immediately the leprosy left him. In today s passage,
More informationSo this was not a death that was unique to Jesus but only Jesus death was unique. In the sense that it changed everything.
RAISED IN PROMISE Series: Let All Things Rise April 21, 2019 Edgar King Resurrection,Life,Crucifixion Matt 28:5-7 Welcome to Easter at Trinity. There was nothing pretty or neat about the death of Jesus
More informationlesson five: messiah
lesson five: messiah Main Point: Jesus, the Messiah, was anointed to overcome death. Bible Verse: I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ.) When he comes, he will tell us all things.
More informationJesus Crucifixion and Resurrection
UNIT 20 Session 2 Use Week of: Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrection BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 26:36 28:10; John 18:1 20:18 MAIN POINT: Jesus died on the cross and is alive. KEY PASSAGE: Romans 10:9 BIG PICTURE
More informationLo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Scripture Lesson: Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 21:1-17 THE PALM AND THE CROSS (04/17/11) Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
More informationApril 1, 2018 Mark 16:1-14 Easter Sunrise Service
April 1, 2018 Mark 16:1-14 Easter Sunrise Service Good morning and Happy Easter! He is risen! He is risen indeed! Welcome to our Sunrise Service; we are grateful you are here, and we are grateful for our
More informationSermon The Promise of Resurrection in Our Lives Rev. Sara Huisjen
(the reading shared before this sermon was Heavy, found in Mary Oliver's anthology of poems, Thirst.) Sermon The Promise of Resurrection in Our Lives Rev. Sara Huisjen For days, maybe even weeks, I've
More information1 2015, Reverend Steve Carlson Tabernacle Baptist Church West National Avenue West Allis, Wisconsin
I. Introduction Attitudes March 22, 2015 John 11:55 12:11 Since we are at a good spot to interrupt our study of Galatians, it seemed appropriate to do so so that we could begin to prepare our hearts and
More informationHoly Week. Focus on Mark 11:1 11; 15:1 39 PREPARING FOR THE SESSION. WHAT is important to know? WHERE is God in these words?
Palm/Passion Sunday Palm Sunday Scripture Ps. 118:1 2, 19 29 Scripture Mark 11:1 11 or John 12:12 16 Scripture Passion Sunday Scripture Isa. 50:4 9a Ps. 31:9 16 Phil. 2:5 11 Mark 14:1 15:47 or Mark 15:1
More informationJesus and Courageous Women by Rev. Kathy Sides (Preached at Fort Des Moines UMC )
Jesus and Courageous Women by Rev. Kathy Sides (Preached at Fort Des Moines UMC 5-22-2016) Greetings! It s so good to see so many of my brothers and sisters here. People of faith. People of Courage. Oh,
More informationGood Friday Youth Liturgy The Celebration of the Lord s Passion
Good Friday Youth Liturgy The Celebration of the Lord s Passion The Collect of the Day Almighty God, look graciously, we pray, on this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed
More informationMy best wishes for a meaningful Holy Week. Dr. Frank Allen, Pastor 4/8/2006
My best wishes for a meaningful Holy Week. Dr. Frank Allen, Pastor 4/8/2006 Mark 11:1-11 (NRSV) When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of
More informationKristina Fucci. Big Idea. Action Plan. Bible Verse. Materials. Connecting You to Jesus. Dear Teacher,
The King Is Coming Mark 11:1-10 Dear Teacher, Writing about praising Jesus shouldn t be hard. But for some reason, this week the task seemed to put it bluntly daunting! In today s Bible story, it seemed
More informationThe First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
The First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death During this Station of the Cross, Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. Pilate didn t want to crucify Jesus, but the crowd shouted to Pontius Pilate
More informationEaster Fools. Here is the scripture reading for this week:
Easter Fools April 1, 2018 Mark 16: 1-8 Rev. Kimberly Heath Wall Street United Church Here is the scripture reading for this week: Mark 16:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) When the sabbath was over,
More informationLAYING THE FOUNDATION A Sermon for the First Sunday after Easter, 2010 On the Text: Propers for the Day By the Reverend Deacon Randolph Constantine
LAYING THE FOUNDATION A Sermon for the First Sunday after Easter, 2010 On the Text: Propers for the Day By the Reverend Deacon Randolph Constantine If you start counting days beginning with today and you
More informationThe Resurrection Substitute Mark 16:1-8, Romans 6:4-6
The Resurrection Substitute Mark 16:1-8, Romans 6:4-6 Friends, would you agree with me that many people in our society today are looking for a new life or a better life or just the chance to perhaps improve
More informationSee The Place Where He Laid Them
See The Place Where He Laid Them Mark 16:1-8 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first
More informationHigh 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 informationSunday of the Myrrhbearing Women, Mark 15:43-47, 16:1-8 May 7, 2006
Grade: Preschool Jesus was crucified on a Friday. When he had died, his body needed to be buried. Joseph of Arimathea asked if he could bury Jesus. Pontius Pilate said, Yes. Joseph brought a cloth to carry
More informationSermon for Palm Sunday
1 Sermon for Palm Sunday Text: Philippians 2:6-8 Of his own free will he (Jesus) gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.he was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death
More informationOUR NEED FOR HOPE SESSION 4. The Point Jesus is responsible for our lives, now and forever.
SESSION 4 OUR NEED FOR HOPE The Point Jesus is responsible for our lives, now and forever. The Bible Meets Life Sometimes we feel our situation is hopeless, but Jesus resurrection gives us hope for ultimate
More informationJUST COME HOME Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church April 5, Easter Sunday John 20:1-18
JUST COME HOME Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church April 5, 2015 Easter Sunday John 20:1-18 In just a little while, as soon as I say the final amen at the last service today, I m taking off
More informationGuess What? He s Back!
Guess What? He s Back! Matthew 28:10 Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 Guess what? He s back! Of course there have been many famous comebacks in the history of the world; many of them fantasy, but others of
More informationThe Beginning of the Story
The Beginning of the Story By the Reverend Pen Peery Mark 16:1-8 April 1, 2018 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and
More informationAs we move from Easter Sunday, we began the next fifty days taking a. deeper look into how we, as followers of Christ, came to be. We will look at the
Emerging from Places of Fear: Becoming Bold Christians April 23, 2017 John 20:19-31 As we move from Easter Sunday, we began the next fifty days taking a deeper look into how we, as followers of Christ,
More informationHe Has Risen! Luke 24:1-10
April 5, 2015 He Has Risen! Luke 24:1-10 INTRODUCTION: What a wonderful day this is, as all over the world people are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Kings
More informationThe Beloved Disciple
The Beloved Disciple At the end of the fourth gospel, that of John the author identifies himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. It has been assumed therefore that he was John the apostle, one of the
More informationThe 24 th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B Readings, Lectionary #132
The 24 th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B Readings, Lectionary #132 Begin in prayer Spend a few moments in prayer before reading the Scripture. Ask the Lord to let his Word speak to your heart. You are
More informationLuke 24:1-12 & King James Version April 1, 2018
Luke 24:1-12 & 30-35 King James Version April 1, 2018 The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School Lessons Series) for Sunday, April 1, 2018, is from Luke 24:1-12 & 30-35. Questions for Discussion
More informationINTRODUCTION SMALL GROUP TIME WORD UP! God: The One Who Knows My Heart
God: The One Who Knows My Heart INTRODUCTION To understand ourselves, sometimes we need to look at the past. To appreciate God s choice of David we have to take a step back in history and understand the
More informationWho is This Guy? January 28, 2018 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida
1 Who is This Guy? January 28, 2018 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Mark 1:21-28 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue
More informationStations of the Cross GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTIONS. Good Friday Midday Reflections
Stations of the Cross GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTIONS Good Friday Midday Reflections Portions of this reflective guide were taken from Praying the Stations of the Cross by Ruth Haley Barton, 2013. All Bible references
More informationSermon: The Hidden Servant (Isaiah 53:1 3)
Sermon: The Hidden Servant (Isaiah 53:1 3) Text Isaiah 53:1 3 Dan Mueller, 9th April 2017, Palm Sunday 1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before
More informationOne of the Crowd A Sermon by David J. Droog April 5, 2009 First Presbyterian Church, Rochester, MN
One of the Crowd A Sermon by David J. Droog April 5, 2009 First Presbyterian Church, Rochester, MN Folks, as I read the scripture from Luke this morning, I m going to make some running commentary about
More informationActs 10:34-43; 1 Cor 15:19-26; Jn 20: 1-18
Acts 10:34-43; 1 Cor 15:19-26; Jn 20: 1-18 The Resurrection of Jesus as an event in itself was strictly between Jesus and God there were no earthly witnesses. No one saw what happened in that tomb after
More informationSunday of the Myrrhbearing Women, Mark 15:43-47, 16:1-8 May 15, 2005
Grade: Preschool Jesus was crucified on a Friday. When he had died, his body needed to be buried. Joseph of Arimathea asked if he could bury Jesus. Pontius Pilate said, Yes. Joseph brought a cloth to carry
More informationSermon Series 1 Peter. Part 9 Entrust Your Soul To A Faithful Creator
1 Rev. William J. Shields St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, Illinois The Third Sunday of Easter May 4, 2014 Second Lesson 1 Peter 4:12-19 Sermon Series 1 Peter Part 9 Entrust Your Soul To A Faithful
More informationPalm Sunday 1992 was a shocking year in American politics, at least it was for me. President George H.W. Bush [the Senior] was fresh off experiencing
Palm Sunday 1992 was a shocking year in American politics, at least it was for me. President George H.W. Bush [the Senior] was fresh off experiencing a victory in the first Gulf War. As you recall, the
More informationand two or three of us muscled it over to expose what was growing up in the woods of the Pacific Northwest making forts
1 WHAT ROCK ARE YOU HIDING UNDER B. HULL SOMERS EASTER 2018 BLC Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 If we were to go outside right now and find a large boulder and two or three of us muscled
More informationBIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS
BIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS www.bibleradio.org.au BIBLE ADVENTURES SCRIPT: A1698 ~ Jesus Appears to His Disciples. Welcome to Bible Adventures. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow. Jesus is Lord of all. Although
More informationJesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life BIBLE PASSAGE John 18-20:18 (Jesus Rises) REMEMBER VERSE How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47:2 SCHEDULE Anticipate 5
More informationResurrection Faith. The Resurrection of Jesus Matt. 28:1 8; Luke 24:1 9. March 27, 2016 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
March 27, 2016 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON Resurrection Faith MINISTRY INVOCATION O God: We give thanks to You for the manifold blessings to us. You did not have to bless us but You did. We shall remain
More informationResurrection Faith MARCH 27. Session Preparation
4 MARCH 27 Resurrection Faith Mark 16:1-8 The objectives of this session are to help participants: delve into the details in Mark s gospel about what happened when Jesus followers discovered that he had
More informationSon of Man Son of God
Son of Man Son of God Learning and Teaching Scotland 2003 1 Son of Man Son of God Overview This unit is about how Jesus is presented in the Gospels as both Man and God During this unit we will: explore
More information64 SESSION 7 SESSION 7HE IS RISEN
64 SESSION 7 SESSION 7HE IS RISEN WHAT S THE MOST SURPRISING THING THAT S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?? BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 65 THE POINT JESUS IS ALIVE AND PRESENT WITH THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM. THE BIBLE MEETS
More informationSecond Chances John 21:1-19
Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 Pastor Mark Toone Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church Sermon Notes 1 Second Chances John 21:1-19 Good morning! I m so glad you chose to celebrate this joyous day with us. But fair
More informationMessage: Calm in the storm It s a beautiful day! The sun has risen on a gorgeous day in southern California. The birds are singing, the morning is
Message: Calm in the storm It s a beautiful day! The sun has risen on a gorgeous day in southern California. The birds are singing, the morning is cool and the day promises to be sunny and warm. We have
More informationThe Life Of Moses #1 I. The Shock Of The Story s Opening: The story opens with God s people in Egypt suffering, in the very place where God Himself
The Life Of Moses #1 I. The Shock Of The Story s Opening: The story opens with God s people in Egypt suffering, in the very place where God Himself had brought them. A. The story begins with vs. 5b Joseph
More informationResurrections In Our Midst. A Sermon by Reverend Lynn Strauss
Resurrections In Our Midst A Sermon by Reverend Lynn Strauss In Mark Chapter 16 it is written: when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, who will roll away the
More informationI. EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION
Selected Scripture The Resurrection of Christ 1 1. Easter: Greatest of all the Christian holy days celebrating our Risen Lord A. Today we have the opportunity to proclaim one of the central truth of our
More informationA Good Shepherd Story of Jesus. Emmaus Road. Adapted by: Brenda J. Stobbe
A Good Shepherd Story of Jesus Emmaus Road Adapted by: Brenda J. Stobbe ~-------.---~---'-------'------------ _.- -... _- -_..._.. - -------_._--------------_._---- .. -----... -.. --.-------------~--------
More informationQUESTIONS ASKED BY OUR RISEN LORD Dr. George O. Wood
Dr. George O. Wood Jesus of Nazareth is the searcher of our hearts. Still today his questions probe our lives through his ministry prior to his crucifixion. Time after time he asked his own critical questions.
More informationWhat do you consider a good ending to be? My children
1 loose ends The Resurrection and Mark s Gospel Introduction What do you consider a good ending to be? My children always ask me, when we start watching a film, whether it has a happy ending. If I say
More informationBellaire Community UMC Resurrection Sunday April 1, 2018 Eric Falker Page 1. Resurrection Sunday. Series Love Leads the Way, part 3
Eric Falker Page 1 Mark 16:1-8 Resurrection Sunday Series Love Leads the Way, part 3 Happy Easter! I am so glad you are here this morning to celebrate the Resurrection. If you are here for the first time
More informationWalking the Journey to Justice with Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Walking the Journey to Justice with Dietrich Bonhoeffer Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging April 9, 1945, at the Flossenbürg concentration camp, just two weeks before its liberation. He was one
More informationHosanna! Mark 11:1-11
Hosanna! Mark 11:1-11 Do you remember show and tell in school? You know you brought something to class and before the whole group you explained what you had. The scripture we just read was one of Jesus
More informationFeted Child, Fated Children
January 1, 2017 First Sunday after Christmas Day Isa. 63:7 9 Ps. 148 Heb. 2:10 18 Matt. 2:13 23 Feted Child, Goal for the Session After delving into the story of the flight to Egypt, adults will be inspired
More informationThe Footsteps of Christ
The Footsteps of Christ St Oswald s Catholic Primary School Easter Service 2017 Year 1, 2 & 3 We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because, by your cross, you have redeemed the world. Jesus invites
More informationSt. Matthew's Church
St. Matthew's Church New York City MARY MAGDALENE: COMMITTED LOVE John 20:1-18 Introduction: The Bible tells us that Mary had been the object of Christ s grace. We will never understand the account of
More informationSESSION 7 The Promise Fulfilled
SESSION 7 The Promise Fulfilled The New Testament recognizes Jesus Christ as the One whom the Old Testament prophets proclaimed would reverse humanity s curse of sin and death. Session 7: The PROMISE FULFILLED
More informationWhen the End is a Beginning from the pulpit of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania by the Reverend Dr. Agnes W.
When the End is a Beginning from the pulpit of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania by the Reverend Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet Readings: Mark 15:42-16:8 Easter: April 5, 2015 It is a good thing
More informationNot with a Shout, but with a Whimper Easter Sunday, April 1, Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper. (A Sermon for Easter Sunday)
Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper - 1 - Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper (A Sermon for Easter Sunday) Text: John 20:1-18 Lectionary Texts: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2,14-24;
More informationPALM SUNDAY MONDAY. John 12 : From the Heart. Mark 11 : On Mission?
Devotions for Holy Week PALM SUNDAY John 12 : 12 19 From the Heart The week that leads up to the single most impactful event of all eternity is referred to as Holy Week. It begins with the triumphal entry
More informationJesus Crucifixion and Resurrection
UNIT 32 Session 2 Use Week of: Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrection Matthew 26:36 28:10; John 18:1 20:18 MAIN POINT: Jesus died on the cross to save people from sin, and He is alive. KEY PASSAGE: Romans
More informationThe Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11
Lesson 260 The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11 MEMORY VERSE MATTHEW 21:9b " Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the L ORD! Hosanna is the highest!" WHAT YOU
More informationThe Stations of the Cross for Young Adults
for Young Adults The Stations of the Cross is a centuries-old form of prayer used traditionally in Lent. Comprising of 14 stations, each depict moments leading up to Jesus crucifixion. By journeying through
More informationHe Is Risen! April 24, 2011 Matthew 28:1-10
I. Introduction: He Is Risen! April 24, 2011 Matthew 28:1-10 In 19th Century England long before instantaneous news via the internet or even telephone the people were anxiously awaiting news regarding
More informationDevotions April 19-26, 2015 Rev. Devon Barrix, Interim Pastor Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rhinelander, WI
.... Daily Devotions Devotions April 19-26, 2015 Rev. Devon Barrix, Interim Pastor Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rhinelander, WI Sunday, April 19, 2015 My Easter Journey the Resurrection of Our Lord Text:
More information