Sunday is Pentecost, the traditional birthday of the church. It was the day the Holy Spirit allowed the original disciples to speak in "tongues" -- so that Jews from all over the nearby world could understand them. The disciples' excitement and willingness to share their faith brought in a reported 2,000 new Christians in one city on that day.
Our celebration of Pentecost is pretty low key these days. If enough people in the congregation wear red, it's about as much excitement as we can absorb. Of course, this year we're baptizing a young boy, so that's exciting.
The real challenge, it seems to me, is to say something that the "world," anyone not already in the church, can understand and finds important enough to change their lives. That's one reason I'm starting the "Pentecost Group" on Tuesday, June 2 -- to figure out how to speak to the world and what we Christians have to say to the world.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Angels with Strange Faces
May 17, 2009 Easter 6
The length of the sermon says something about how important I think the message is. Our words on Easter must be translated into actions later. The Holy Spirit calls us over and over to risk our comfortable, familiar community in order to share the good news of new life with those who seek and need it.
MP3 File
The length of the sermon says something about how important I think the message is. Our words on Easter must be translated into actions later. The Holy Spirit calls us over and over to risk our comfortable, familiar community in order to share the good news of new life with those who seek and need it.
MP3 File
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Miracles in Our Lives
April 26, 2009 -- Easter 3
Stan Morask
i
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We live in an age of miracles. We just need to look for them and for Christ's hand in them.
Stan Morask
i
MP3 File
We live in an age of miracles. We just need to look for them and for Christ's hand in them.
The voice of the shepherd
Sermon for May 3, 2009 10 AM - Good Shepherd Sunday
MP3 File
Whose voice calls to us and which voice should we follow?
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Whose voice calls to us and which voice should we follow?
Monday, May 04, 2009
Calling all apostles!
As a follow-up to the sermon I gave on April 19 (which is posted under A New Pentecost), I wrote my piece for our newsletter The Portal, which can be found at www.reddoors.com Here is part of what I said:
Now we need to think how we can be better apostles — how we can let others know the ways our faith has made our lives better and invite them to share in Christ’s promise of new life for all. Many of you set strong examples of service and compassion in your various activities. Some of you have brought friends to church, probably because you let them know that the church is important to you. These are among many possible acts of apostleship.
I plan to convene a group soon which will consider ways that the parish can support your individual efforts to spread the good news, as well as fulfilling its own mission of sharing the message of Jesus Christ. This may include providing training or creating materials that tell what the church is doing or public relations efforts. If any of you would be willing to be part of this group, please let me know.
I've had a couple of people say they want to be part of this group. What the group is and can become will depend on the particular gifts of the participants. Some of the work will necessarily be face to face, and some will be individual or via technology. Please consider prayerfully whether you would be willing/able/interested in helping St. John's to develop apostles and to send out the good news in a form which our world can receive.
Now we need to think how we can be better apostles — how we can let others know the ways our faith has made our lives better and invite them to share in Christ’s promise of new life for all. Many of you set strong examples of service and compassion in your various activities. Some of you have brought friends to church, probably because you let them know that the church is important to you. These are among many possible acts of apostleship.
I plan to convene a group soon which will consider ways that the parish can support your individual efforts to spread the good news, as well as fulfilling its own mission of sharing the message of Jesus Christ. This may include providing training or creating materials that tell what the church is doing or public relations efforts. If any of you would be willing to be part of this group, please let me know.
I've had a couple of people say they want to be part of this group. What the group is and can become will depend on the particular gifts of the participants. Some of the work will necessarily be face to face, and some will be individual or via technology. Please consider prayerfully whether you would be willing/able/interested in helping St. John's to develop apostles and to send out the good news in a form which our world can receive.
He is still risen!!
Easter Morning 2009 10AM
MP3 File
I know we're now in the second half of Easter, but it's good to remember the joy we felt at its start. Remaining Easter people is always a challenge.
MP3 File
I know we're now in the second half of Easter, but it's good to remember the joy we felt at its start. Remaining Easter people is always a challenge.
A new Pentecost -- for all of us
This sermon was important to me. I think it's the beginning of an idea about how to shape and revitalize the ministry of St. John's. If you want to join the discussion, let me know.
April 19, 2009 -- Easter 2
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The Beginning of Pentecost
April 19, 2009 -- Easter 2
MP3 File
The Beginning of Pentecost
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