Year: 2005

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29 I have resolved to devote myself more to prayer in the year ahead. By that I mean partly, I think, that I resolve to devote more time to prayer in the year ahead, though I’m not completely sure about that. I’m not sure I have a good grasp on how much time … Read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11 This sermon begins where last week’s ended. I said then that I had some more to say, which I do. I also have some places to go this morning that I didn’t know about last week. This is a sermon about knees. I said last week that several Sojourners had said to … Read more

Scripture: 1Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31 We are entering a period today where even more than has already been the case we will be focusing a lot on ourselves—our plans, our needs, our finances, our life as a congregation in general. What with passing a budget, electing officers, getting ourselves organized for a new year, moving ourselves … Read more

Scripture: 1Kings 8:1-4, 9-13, 27 Sojourners began worshiping at JABA on September 13, 1998 and we are concluding our time here on January 30, 2005. (Sounds like the beginning of a eulogy doesn’t it.) This being our last Sunday at JABA, I thought there ought to be some kind of ceremonial thanksgiving and leavetaking, and … Read more

Scriptures: Hebrews 11:8-16; Psalm 84 I have had a lot of thoughts related to this day. As I took inventory of the various things going through my mind, it didn’t all fit neatly together into a sermon with a theme, so I gave up on that. Instead I decided to put what I have to … Read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 I want to begin this morning with an apology…to those who may be among us this morning who are visiting with us or who are relatively new to the life of this community. This is a kind of an “in house” sermon that may assume a certain familiarity with Sojourners as a … Read more

Scripture: 1Corinthians 12:27-13:13 I decided not to just rush right into giving my sermon today and instead to keep a few moments of silence before saying anything. It’s my way of expressing appreciation for the gift that Beverly Seng—and the choir—have given us. Beverly told me she was working on composing a piece based on … Read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 Last week as part of the sermon I pointed out that the tree in the banner behind me that represents the life of our congregation has an image of Sojourner Truth inscribed in the trunk, at the heart of the life of the congregation. I posed a question: what else ought to … Read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8; Matthew 5:1-11 My thoughts this morning are still rooted in the season of Lent. I was thinking what I thought of as Lenten type thoughts last week, and I am thinking Lenten type thoughts again this week. But before I tell you what it is I’m thinking about, let me tell you … Read more

Scripture: Luke 19: 29-42; Romans 12:9-18 I admit that the sermon title for this morning—“Palm Sunday 2005”—indicates a certain lack of imagination. My excuse for this is that this was pretty much my state of mind as I began thinking about the sermon for this morning. Here we are. Palm Sunday 2005. What is it … Read more