2007

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52 I want to begin today by saying that I am feeling honored, honored on behalf of Sojourners that Barry Taylor has chosen to be baptized here. I hope this doesn’t sound like a kind of polite, formal statement—the way people begin speeches by saying “pleased to be here”, “honored to be invited”, … Read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-48 I will not be very long this morning, but I do have a few words about the two occasions that come together for us here this morning, Palm Sunday and confirmation, and what I have to say relates to both Palm Sunday and confirmation. Let me begin with Palm Sunday though. Palm … Read more

Scriptures: Matthew 28:1-10; 1Corinthians 15:35-58 Let me begin today by telling you about a recent experience I had, courtesy of Hilda Ward, who invited me to be part of a class that she helps to teach at UVA. I didn’t know exactly what the course was when she invited me, but I knew that Hilda … Read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 For at least the last couple of months people have been occasionally asking me whether I was looking forward to my sabbatical or getting excited about it yet. And for the last couple of months I have been saying, “Well, maybe a little bit, but there are too many other things on … Read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13 Again…good morning. You will forgive me, I’m sure, if I’m a little rusty at this. I’m grateful to Kathy, among other things, for making it possible for me to work back into worship sort of gradually. I requested to just do the sermon this morning, a little bit as though I were … Read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7 As many of you know, the United Church of Christ held its national meeting, called General Synod, at the end of June in Hartford, Connecticut. This particular General Synod marked the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ, which was formed as a merger of other groups in 1957. The other … Read more

Scripture: 1Samuel 3:1-10 In case you don’t recognize where the title of the sermon for this morning comes from—“God Is Still Speaking”—it is a phrase that is much in use in United Church of Christ Circles these days. I mentioned last week that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ, … Read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22 There is no particular reason for this sermon…except for the fact that something inside me said that maybe it’s about time for me to say something along the lines of what I am about to say. Over the years that I’ve been at Sojourners more than a few people have commented that … Read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11 and Luke 18:35-43 This is, I suppose, one of those sermons that has earned me the reputation I was talking about last week. That is to say, it’s a sermon that deals with a spiritual situation where I don’t think there are any simple answers and where at the end there may … Read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:19-33 The title of this sermon is stolen from a church consultant who wrote a book with this title. To be honest I am not usually attracted to church consultants, but Gil Rendle, who wrote this book I have found to be helpful and some Sojourners besides me are familiar with him through … Read more