Sermon: Do You Want the Church to Grow? Second Sunday After Ephiphany Andrew wasn’t the popular kid in class. His name is only mentioned in twelve verses in the Bible, and eight of those describe him as “Peter’s little brother.” Even though he was one of the first two or three followers of Jesus, Peter was still the popular kid in school.  But, Andrew was in the top 100 boy’s name in 2019. Peter didn’t make the list. It took him 2000 years, but he finally finished ahead of his brother…

Stars and a Stable: Responding to Disappointments One of my closest friends loves UGA! He’s a graduate and a dedicated football loyalist. Now let’s not question his Christianity just yet. He has a saying, “When I die, make sure you chant the Eucharist at my funeral mass. And make sure the University of Georgia football players serve as my pal bearers. That way, they can let me down one time.”  I am a Seminole fan. Someone asked me a few weeks ago, “What will you do if the Seminoles win their bowl game?” I…

The Christmas Hangover: Trusting God When Times Are Tough  Sermon Video: Sermon Notes: Have you ever had a hangover? I hear they can be rough. You know the story… the night before, you felt alive. You even loved everyone. Then you wake the next morning, and you can’t say for sure, but you might be dead. Once in a while, life has its hangover moments. I was in the pharmacy last week, and I heard two college-age young ladies talking about an “emotional hangover.” I was too curious to resist, so I practiced an ancient…

God,  Light My Pathway, and My Mirror “The light shines, and the darkness does not overcome it.” In 2018 Americans spent $16.5 billion on cosmetic surgery. That is a lot of money to look better and feel better about ourselves. Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying plastic surgery is wrong. If I had more money, I’d look better than I do now! But the statistic does point to something greater than money and vanity… identity. Dr. Maxwell Maltz was once one of the premier cosmetic surgeons in the United…

Listening with Love, Acting in Mercy Sermon Notes: I feel for Joseph. Not only because he’s often overlooked, but in some ways I understand what it’s like to be Joseph. In 1994 I found a new level of solidarity with Joseph. The children’s director concluded that the pastor’s grandson didn’t need a “speaking” role in that year’s Christmas play. Partly because I was twelve years old, and partly because they dared not risk the potential train wreck of an ill-conceived improvisation.   They decided I would play the role of Joseph. I huffed…

The Third Sunday of Advent: Preparing for 2020 John, Jesus, and Joy: Listening to the right prophet.  I do not wear pink very often (unless I lose a bet, like today…). But, there is one service in the church year where the priest can wear pink vestments.  Rose Sunday, or the Sunday of Joy… Today. I didn’t want to wear pink, so I decided I needed to tactfully “inquire” and see if pink was the tradition.  I asked Kathy Lopez, “Is pink customary for Rose Sunday? I haven’t noticed rose colored…