Sermons

A Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. John 1:43 – 51     What will become of Christianity? There are two answers. The first is lifted by many loud voices telling you there’s a war raging. This war will determine whether our faith and culture continue to dominate the world stage, or will be […]

A sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. January 1, 2012 Matthew 2:1‑12 (Common English Bible) Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? I have: spend more time with family and fewer evenings working, tone up this 6-decade old body, and enjoy life more. Sound familiar? Same resolutions I make every year. In fact, these

Luke 1:26-38  The Annunciation   I’ve been feeling nostalgic. Christmas does that. I’ve even gotten my annual Christmas cold to make everything feel familiar.   By my count this is the 40th Christmas season I’ve preached, now 23 with you all. Each year we’ve had four Advent Sundays and two or more services on Christmas

A Sermon By The Rev. Elsa A. Peters John 1:5-9, 19-28 Who are you? the priests and Levites ask. It doesn’t matter what John says — as they aren’t really listening anyway. They’re too caught up in their expectations. They don’t hear how John repeats himself. They just assume he’s refusing to answer. Then who

A Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. Isaiah 40:1-11 We’re surrounded by mystery; things we can’t understand. You may have heard this past week the British Intelligence agency GCHQ has created an online coded puzzle as a way to identify young adults who have what it takes to become spies. There are screens of

Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min., November 27, 2011 Isaiah 64:1-9   On this first Advent Sunday, at the tail-end of Thanksgiving week, there’s a danger of whiplash. Since last Sunday hundreds of pounds of Thanksgiving food have gone out into the community; the red paraments on the altar have gone and the purple

A Sermon By John Brierly McCall, D. Min. – November 20, 2011 Deuteronomy 8:6-20 Our scriptures are so rich and filled with spiritual wisdom. There’s poetry and prophecy and history and theology and so much more, all wrapped together. As a whole scripture tells us of the relationship of God to God’s people across the

John 17:20-26 Seven billion. There are now seven billion people in the world. And Jesus prays that we may be one. Over and over again, he prays. May all be one. As we are one. That they may be one. Completely one. But how? How can seven billion people become one? Completely one? In reading

A Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min. Joshua 3:7-17 You’ve likely argued with God, probably yelled and shaken your fist, too. Maybe it’s been a lover’s quarrel or a tug-of-war. But have you ever learned to dance with God? Maybe a slow, gentle waltz, or a wild, breathless tango? If you’ve tried – and

 Sermon by John Brierly McCall, D. Min., Consecration Sunday, 23 October 2011 Luke 6:27-38 In this complicated world you’ll be a whole lot happier if you just accept reality: there will never be peace among nations; there will always be clashes between rich and poor; there will never be harmony between religions; there will always