Sermon:  Epiphany Year A January 5, 2020 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12     What is it that you are seeking? Everybody…

In what is often referred to as the Prologue to John’s gospel (chapter 1), we read what is considered one of the most beautiful pieces of prose ever written. It…

Joseph is probably the most misunderstood participant in the Christmas drama. Like comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Joseph might righteously complain, "I don't get no respect!"  This week we pay Joseph some…

Imagine for a moment, John the Baptist in Herod’s dungeon in Machaerus.  He stirs from sleep and kicks at a rat nibbling on the thongs of his sandals.  He takes…

In Tennessee Williams’ play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Big Daddy and his son, Brick, are in the basement sorting through stuff while the other children are upstairs arguing…

As we approach the end of the Church year and prepare for the liturgical season of Advent, our scriptures become very apocalyptic—speaking of the future.  Today’s lessons certainly fall into…

Anyone who is middle-aged or older might remember the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was an exuberant, fast-paced musical about seven brothers on the frontier of the United…

In today’s Gospel passage we encounter a story we remember from Sunday School. I remember a song we sang: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was…

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Difficult to read and even more difficult to preach. The Pharisee: Fastidious keeper of the Law, righteous, respectable, known in the…

Well, we finally hear a parable from Jesus that vindicates a nagging woman! Often called the Parable of the Unjust Judge, this story could also be called the Parable of…

One night many years ago, Ed Spencer, a student at a seminary near Lake Michigan, was awakened by shouts that there had been a shipwreck offshore from the campus. An…

An old friend of almost 50 years, Ben Bronstein, who likes to send me Jewish jokes and stories about mishaps between Christians and Jews, emailed the following tale: Mrs. Yetta…

Before the great Anglican priest John Wesley became founder of the Methodist Church in the 1700’s, he was a teacher at Oxford University. When he began his career he was…

A woman approached her priest with a question: "Where is the lost and found department in our church? I've lost my glasses and I can't see very well without them.”…

Please take note of a special announcement this morning: “This just in from God!  Everybody put your wallets and purses, credit cards, gold and jewels on the altar before the…

Despite the fact that there might be some good bits of advice on manners and social conduct in Jesus’ remarks in today’s gospel lesson, we all know that he is…

The Gospel reading for today is about much more than a simple healing story. There are several layers. One of the layers can be fairly well summed up with a…

Sermon: Proper 15 Year C*-August 18, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 The three pronouncements in today’s text are not easy to take. And…

My sermon this morning is in the form of a poem. I usually wax poetic when my heart is breaking.  As you listen, please consider personalizing each verse for yourself.…

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Or in…

The shortest verse in the bible is, “Jesus wept.” He wept for the world, for our sins, and for the downtrodden; let us do likewise. That’s the shortest sermon in…

Our gospel reading represents a turning point for Jesus. His early ministry is over. Now he turns toward Jerusalem. Twice in this short passage, we read, “he set his face…

Today’s gospel depicts an encounter between Jesus and a deranged man, who comes to Jesus with what remains of his viable self. He cannot fight the demons within, apart from…

The First Sunday after Pentecost on our Christian calendar every year is designated Trinity Sunday. I can never prepare a sermon or teaching about the Trinity without remembering a story…

In Texas during the Depression, Ira Yates was like many other ranchers and farmers. He had a lot of land, and a lot of debt. Mr. Yates wasn't able to…

The phenomenon of having our lives flash before our eyes in the moments before we die may sound almost mystical; but neurologists at Hadassah University in Jerusalem say that this…

For the almost five years I have been with you at Christ Church, during conversations at coffee hour or on the phone, or in the Thursday morning healing service, you…

 In a recent article in The Christian Century,* author Aisha Lytle from Atlanta tells a story. She writes:  “Two and a half years before my husband died, I asked him…

The story of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, is an important story. Tabitha is a disciple who walks the walk.  She has a distinct devotion to doing good works and…

Do you remember the heroes of your youth? Who doesn’t remember the original Superman, Kent Clark?  Or the Lone Ranger and Tonto? In the 70’s the Star Wars characters were…

According to an ancient legend, if you could find “the touchstone” on the Coast of the Black Sea, and hold it in your hand, everything you touched would turn to…

The Great Vigil of Easter is my very favorite service of the Christian calendar.  We go from the darkness, death, sorrow, and gloom of Good Friday and find ourselves, literally…

The Cross struck fear in the hearts of the world. It was Rome's means of controlling the people.   According to Roman custom, the penalty of crucifixion was always preceded…

Have you ever wondered where the designation Maundy Thursday comes from?  I mean, what does “Maundy” mean anyway?  Well, it comes from an ancient Latin anthem traditionally sung at the…

Throughout Lent we’ve been traveling with Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem, listening to his teaching and witnessing his miracles.  While our reading from Luke doesn’t give us…

The story of the Prodigal Son is so familiar that it is like the email forward that lands in our inbox for the hundredth time, yet we love it every…

After a terrible disaster strikes, such as a hurricane or earthquake or tsunami, people often ask, in their pain and anguish, “Why did God allow this to happen?” or “Why…

Jesus has been baptized, and the Holy Spirit has descended upon him, symbolized by the dove.  God has declared Jesus as “beloved.”  And, he has been transformed before three of…

Recently I read about a television show called “How It’s Made,” which walks viewers through the way items we use every day are created and constructed.  From padlocks to pencils…

I am going to tell you two stories that illustrate practical application of today’s scripture passages.  I’ve shared them a few years ago. Before becoming an Episcopalian, back in the…

Psychiatrist Robert Coles tells a story about a poor black woman in New Orleans who sells her body almost every night to wealthy old men in order to take care…

(Jesus) said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’  And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!  But at…

Experiences over the years of growing from childhood to adulthood cause us to face some unpleasant facts.  For example, the birth of a baby brother or sister teaches us that…

 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives…

This past Sunday was the Feast Day and beginning of the Season of Epiphany, at which time we celebrated how the glory of Christ is revealed and manifested to the…

Anticipation and expectation—two energies that drive us forward to awaited or predicted events. We often anticipate events or perhaps times in our lives when a certain feat is accomplished or…