Sermons
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…
Sermon: Christmas 1 Year A* December 29, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7; John 1:1-18
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…
Sermon: Advent 4 Year 1* December 22, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1-18-25
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…
Sermon: Third Sunday in Advent, Year A* December 15, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 35:1-10; Canticle 15 (Luke 1:46-55); James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
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…
Sermon: The Second Sunday of Advent Year A* December 8, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7; 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
After all of that “fire and brimstone” in today’s gospel, you might enjoy the following lightheartedness. In a Perfect World a person would feel as good at 50 as she…
Sermon: Advent 1 Year A* December 1, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44
In Advent we enter that period of the Church Year when we await the birth of the Christ Child, as well as prepare for the Messiah who will come again…
Sermon: Christ the King (Consecration Sunday), Year B* The Rev. Eileen Weglarz November 24, 2019 Malachi 3:8-12; Psalm 103; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Luke 12:13-21
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…
Sermon: Proper 28 Year C November 17, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz . – Isaiah 65:17-25; Canticle 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
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…
SERMON: PROPER 27 YEAR C*-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-November 10, 2019-Haggai 1:15b-2:9; Psalm 145:1-5, 18-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
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…
Sermon: Proper 22 Year C-November 3, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10
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…
Sermon: Proper 25 Year C-October 27, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
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…
Sermon: Proper 24 Year C-October 20, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Jeremiah 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104; Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8
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…
Sermon: Proper 23 Year C 2019* – October 13, 2019-10-13 – The Rev. Eileen Weglarz – Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-11; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19
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…
Sermon: Proper 21 Year C-September 29, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 4-7; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31
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…
Sermon: Proper 20 Year C-September 22, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13
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…
Sermon: Proper 19 Year C[1]-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-September 15, 2019-Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10
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.”…
Sermon: Proper 18 Year C -September 8, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33
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…
SERMON: Proper 17, Year C[1]-September 1, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14
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…
SERMON: Proper 16, Year C* – August 25, 2019 – The Rev. Eileen Weglarz – Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17
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
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…
Sermon: Proper 14 Year C-August 11, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
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.…
Sermon: Proper 13 Year C* – August 4, 2019 – The Rev. Eileen Weglarz – Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9, 43; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21
“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…
Sermon: Proper 11 Year C*- July 21, 2019 – The Rev. Eileen Weglarz – Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42
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…
SERMON: Proper 8 Year C* June 30, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62
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…
Sermon: Proper 7 Year C*-June 23, 2019-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-1 Kings 19:1-15a; Psalm 43; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39
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…
Sermon: Trinity Sunday Year C-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz-June 16, 2019-Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
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…
SERMON: The Feast of Pentecost Year C June 9, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17 (25-27
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…
Sermon: Easter 7 Year C June 2, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
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…
Sermon: Easter 6 Year C May 26, 2019 – The Rev. Eileen Weglarz – Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22.5
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…
Sermon: Easter 5 Year C May 19, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz–Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
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…
Sermon: Easter 4 Year C 2019 May 12, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
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…
Sermon: Easter 3 Year C-The Rev. Eileen Weglarz May 5, 2019-Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19
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…
Sermon: Easter Day Year C April 21, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18
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…
Sermon: The Great Vigil of Easter, Year C April 20, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Exodus 14:10-15:1; Isaiah 55:1-11; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Matthew 28:1-10
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…
SERMON: Good Friday Year C April 19, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:42
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…
Sermon: Maundy Thursday Year C April 18, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 116:1, 10-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35
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…
Sermon: Palm Sunday Year C April 14, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56
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…
Sermon: The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C March 31, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
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…
Sermon: The Third Sunday in Lent March 24, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Exodus 3:1-15, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9
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…
SERMON: The First Sunday of Lent, Year C March 10, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
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…
Sermon: Epiphany Last Year C* March 3, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43a
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…
Sermon: Epiphany 7 Year C* February 24, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38
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…
Sermon: Epiphany 6 Year C* The Rev. Eileen Weglarz February 17, 2019 Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26
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…
Sermon: Epiphany 5 Year C The Rev. Eileen Weglarz February 10, 2019 Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
(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…
SERMON: The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany* February 3, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30
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…
Sermon: Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 27, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21
“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…
SERMON: The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year C January 13, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz* Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
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…
Sermon: The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Year B January 6, 2019 The Rev. Eileen Weglarz Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
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…