Jim Bundy

Scripture: Hebrews 11:39—12:2 In days gone by, people used to buy their seats in church, or at least rent them.  I don’t know, maybe there are a few places that still have this practice; I doubt it.  But in the old days, the bad old days, the people of means in a congregation would pay … Read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:11-22; Matthew 6:25-34 Why?   That’s what a friend asked me when I told him that “healing” was going to be our theme at Sojourners during Lent this year.  It took me a little bit by surprise.   I didn’t say it out loud, but what I thought was: What do you mean, … Read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8; Matthew 6:5-12 This is a sermon about prayer. This is not a sermon about whether prayer is a good thing.  I try not to be too predictable in what I say, mostly so as not to bore myself.  I try not to say just what ministers are supposed to say, and I … Read more

Scriptures: Psalm 137; Luke 9:57-62 I’m guessing that many of us are here today because we have been exiled from what presents itself as being the household of God.  Let me put that a little more plainly.  I’m guessing that many of us are here today—at Sojourners, that is—because we have been turned off or … Read more

At the beginning of the service the center table will include (as it usually does not) an open Bible. At the time for the sermon, that table will be cleared of everything except the Bible, the table will be turned and placed in the position approximately where the podium would usually be, and someone will … Read more

Sermon for Palm SundayScripture: Luke 19:28-44 There are just two places I know of in the gospels where Jesus is said to have wept.  One was when he arrived at the side of his dead friend, Lazarus.  The other was when he wept over the city of Jerusalem, just after having entered it—the passage we … Read more

Scripture: Galatians 6 I’ve been reading a book recently.  It’s a book that’s not yet published, and I’ve been asked to read the manuscript and make comments on it in order to give the authors some feedback before they make their final revisions and the book goes to print.   The book is about multiracial … Read more

Sermon for Easter SundayScripture: Mark 16:1-8; John 20:11-18; John 11:38-44 I don’t really have the foggiest idea of what you need to hear this morning.  I’m going to have to rely on what I need to say rather than trying to guess what you need to hear.  I have no conviction about what you may … Read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-10; Genesis 16 and 21 (selections) I want to thank S.O. for being here this morning and for speaking as she has.  When S. approached the worship committee with her desire to speak out as a Jewish woman in dissent against the actions of the Israeli government and in a spirit of solidarity … Read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 If I were in charge of finding someone to speak on Earth Day themes on Earth Day Sunday, I would not choose me.   And if I were to sit down all by myself to think about what I was going to preach about on April 21, even knowing that April 22 … Read more