Mindful Leader

Narrative Lectionary -- New Testament Week Nine -- The Woman Washes Jesus' Feet -- 900 version

January 29th, Ministry Moment -- Barbara Moeller

 

Barbara was a Interfaith Hospitality Network client several years ago.  IHN is now Family Promise but it is still providing the kind of love and Grace that Barbara addresses here.  This is a reflection on what it is like to be homeless.  

Narrative Lectionary -- Old Testament Week Five -- The Golden Calf

Exodus 32 and the Golden Calf saga.  What are our own Golden Calves?  

Youth Mission Report Sunday

Noah Haight is reading the Scripture.  Short excerpt of the Summer Singers.  Melissa Doloff introducing the speakers.  Lindsay Blanchett, Jaimie Olson, Isaac Reese, and then moi.  Youth went to Mescalero, New Mexico.  Scripture is from Sermon on the Mount and not putting our lights under a basket.  

Forgotten Women of the Bible -- Hannah

1 Samuel 1 -- I read the end here -- verses 20 to 28 but the liturgist had read all of the big (and hard) words earlier.  The Youth had sung an anthem that included the words "I believe in God, even when God is silent."  We had new members coming in and I cut the sermon a little short.  Not a lot.  Think I got the "key points."  Hannah starts the story of moving from chaos to order (depends on who's definition of order I think).  She is the mother of Samuel.  But the first two chapters focus on Hannah, not Samuel.  

Forgotten Women of the Bible -- Abigail

1 Samuel 25 -- and we look at Abigail.  Three main characters:  David, Nabal, and Abigail.  One shows true hospitality.  The others are more "meh" in their roles.  

April 3, 2016 -- Acts 1: 1-14 "Be a Witness"

This sermon came together quite late.  I had all the piece parts by Saturday evening, but it had no shape, no contour, no real flow.  Marilyn and I sat down and worked together on this for an hour and this is what came out.  Michelle Starcher, our accompanist, also provided a musical offering that I didn't know about until I got to church, so that element, was woven in late.  God surprises us.  

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Kolbe.html is a good link to a bio on the Roman Catholic Priest mentioned in the Sermon.  

Year End Report

Setting a bit of the stage for Mark but this is more of a year end report.  This particular sermon is at the 9:00 AM service.  

Advent 4: God will end the Barrenness

Luke 1 -- Zachariah and the end of barrenness.  God has been here before. 

Advent 3: Choose Joy

Ezra 3: 1-4, 10-13 is the text and again, I am indebted to the assistance I receive from Working Preacher/Narrative Lectionary.  Excellent help.  Rebuild the temple and some, who remember what the old temple was like, cannot be joyful.  I then contrast those Eeyores with Simeon in Luke 2 where he is able to see the possibility of the future.