September 29, 2024 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Mark 9:38-50 Last Sunday, I was speaking with someone after the service. Having read the bulletin, they noted that this Sunday we were going to be singing the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers.” That was noted and it was not out of their anticipatory delight. It was out of concern that we would be singing this…

September 22, 2024 Proverbs 31:10-31; Mark 9:30-37 Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. Jesus and the disciples were travelling around and, I am guessing, during those travels…

September 15, 2024 Isaiah 50:4-9a; Mark 8:27-38 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Book of Isaiah is written across the troubles…

September 8, 2024 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Mark 7:24-37 [Jesus] said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” These are harsh words, buried under a layer of metaphor. Jesus was effectively saying that this child was no better than a dog. As a Gentile, she…

June 2, 2024 Mark 2:23-3:6 “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” Keeping the sabbath day holy is a commandment, you might have heard. And for that reason, it is worth considering what is meant by this expectation. What is the sabbath? And what does it…

PENTECOST, by Rev. Dr. Mark J.T. Caggiano, May 19. 2024 Acts 2:1-21 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. The disciples are yet again being tested by unexpected events. Before it was the return of Jesus to them for a time after the crucifixion…

May 12, 2024 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” The disciples of Jesus were trying to determine who would replace Judas Iscariot as one of…

May 5, 2024 John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. Abide is an unusual word. I cannot say that I hear it terribly often in casual conversation. In…

April 28, 2024 John 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. I am not much of a gardener. So, when Jesus slips into agricultural metaphors, I have to look them up. I searched the…