On Sunday, November 10th, 2019 You’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” It’s an aphorism intended to help us to remember to focus on the things that really matter. We have such an aphorism because we so often get lost in the small stuff. Sometimes I feel like there’s a mysterious force, rooted right in our DNA, that drives…
First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, a Member Church of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and More Light Presbyterians
First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, a Member Church of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and More Light Presbyterians
Sermons on Luke
on Sunday, October 27th, 2019 Mark Twain wrote, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” Some might be tempted to think that this was the Pharisee’s problem in the parable we have heard this morning. He was very responsible. He was scrupulously faithful. Yes, as he is praying to God, he does run through…
on Sunday, October 20th, 2019 I know of no one who would say that the Apostle Paul was anything other than a man of prayer. He is the one who wrote to the Thessalonians, “…pray without ceasing…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thess. 5:17&18) We usually wonder, “How in the world can someone, anyone pray…
On Sunday, October 13th, 2019 Are you ready for thanksgiving? I don’t mean the celebration in November, though, I have to admit, I’ve already been thinking about ordering our locally raised turkey for this year’s feast. No, I’m thinking of taking stock of all for which we can be thankful. I think we certainly could use the change in perspective.[i] Recent days…
on Sunday, October 6th, 2019 The lesson from Luke begins with the disciples making an impassioned plea: “Increase our faith!” It arises from a feeling that we all have had. There is some great, good task standing before us. But there is also the sense that the task will not be easy: like getting ready for the Illinois Marathon or the Tent…
Sunday, September 29th, 2019 What a difference a week makes. Last Sunday, we explored one of the most challenging parables, challenging because it seemed so obscure and unclear. This week we have an equally challenging parable, but this time the challenge is that it is all too clear. It very clearly seems to suggest that if we hoard wealth in this life,…
On Sunday, July 7th, 2019 The waxing and waning of the household of faith is something that you can see beginning even in the Gospels. As John tells it, first there was Andrew and another follower of John the Baptist who followed Jesus. Andrew then goes to tell his brother, Peter, and Peter becomes the third disciple. Next comes Phillip and then…
Sunday, April 21st, 2019 Christ is risen! (He is risen, indeed) And this always comes as such good news to God’s some years frozen Northern disciples. We need good news. We need hope. We need these gorgeous banners, the wonderful music, and all of these flowers. Yet when we read the Easter story in…
Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Well, it sure didn’t take Jesus long to gather a following. None of the official religious people in the Temple were telling it like Jesus did. Yet, as his gathering grew and grew, so did the grumbling. The shepherds, who likely had no experience with bathing, always were offending the well-to-do.…