The Second Sunday of Advent (Year B), December 6, 2020 (Mark 1:1-8)

This sermon was originally preached at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Setauket, New York. "John the Baptist' from the Isenheim Altarpiece, ca. 1515, by Matthias Grünewald (d. 1528), Unterlinden Museum. Public Domain. Mark the Evangelist doesn’t waste any time jumping right into things in his Gospel this morning, does he?  He dives right in … Continue reading The Second Sunday of Advent (Year B), December 6, 2020 (Mark 1:1-8)

Sermon for Thanksgiving Eve, November 25, 2020 (Luke 17:11-19)

"Freedom from Want" (1943) by Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). Norman Rockwell Museum. Public Domain. Originally preached at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Setauket, New York. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.  Sometimes, the lectionary makes interesting choices for the readings for non-liturgical holidays, like … Continue reading Sermon for Thanksgiving Eve, November 25, 2020 (Luke 17:11-19)

Sermon for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28 (November 15, 2020) – Matthew 25:14-30

"The Parable of the Talents" (2013) by Andrej Nikolaevich Mironov. Ryazan, Russia. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Originally preached on the occasion of the rite of confirmation for the confirmation class of 2020 at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church. The year was 1529.  Martin Luther (whose birthday we observed on Tuesday) had just finished … Continue reading Sermon for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28 (November 15, 2020) – Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon for the Feast of All Saints, November 1, 2020 (Matthew 5:1-12)

"Jesus Teaching the Beatitudes" (ca. 1886-1896) by James Tissot (1836-1902). The Brooklyn Museum. Public Domain. Originally preached at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Setauket, New York. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I would like to begin my sermon this morning with a little Latin lesson.  Why do we call the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon … Continue reading Sermon for the Feast of All Saints, November 1, 2020 (Matthew 5:1-12)

Sermon for Reformation Sunday (Observed), October 25, 2020 – Romans 3 & John 8

"Gustav II. Adolf in der Schlacht bei Lützen am 16. November 1632" (17th C.) by Pieter Meulener (1602-1654). Public Domain. Originally preached at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Setauket, New York. Our story begins one hundred and two years after the Lutheran reformers presented their case to the Roman envoys at the Diet of Augsburg … Continue reading Sermon for Reformation Sunday (Observed), October 25, 2020 – Romans 3 & John 8