Sermon preached by The Rev. Richard Marsden
14th Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon preached by The Rev. Richard Marsden
Proper 17 C (22)
Jer 2:4-13
Lk 14: 7-14
Psalm 81:1, 10-16

We heard God’s heart this morning— in an accusation and a plea:
And yet my people did not hear my voice, and Israel would not obey me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts to follow their own devices. Oh, that my people would listen to me! That Israel would walk in my ways.

When we were stationed in Germany back in the mid-70s, one of the German cultural obsessions we enjoyed was walking. The Germans loved to walk in the woods -they had miles and miles of paved trails - and would even have special days of walking where you could earn a medal.

On this one particular Saturday, we were out walking on one of these trails with a family we were very close to. This trail wandered through the woods past the remains of an old Roman fortress that marked what was called The Limes; the barrier between the civilized Roman world and the barbarians.

As we walked along, my friend warned his children to avoid the nettles that overhung part of the trail, and he warned them again, and again. With an impish, but not quite demonic smile, young Chris—about six years old– began to stretch out his arm as he continued to look at his dad.

Dad continued to warn him what would happen, but Chris continued to stretch out his arm toward the nettles—closer and closer with each step—continuing to look at his dad with an evermore impish grin. Continue reading ‘Sermon - 29 August 2010’ »

Sermon preached by The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson
13th Sunday after Pentecost

The Pelican, Volume 15, Number 02 - September 2010 (1635 KB)

Sermon preached by The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson
13th Sunday after Pentecost

What a week we have had at Redeemer! Some 140 children and almost 60 youth aids as well as many adult teachers were here every morning last week for Vacation Bible School. It was a week full of excitement and enthusiasm with spirited singing, eager learning of the stories of the Bible, and myriad activities. I think everyone who participated felt God’s presence and activity, and surely God must have been pleased at what took place here all week.

You should have seen it. These children were being surrounded by God’s love and the teachings of the Church, and they were soaking it up, and reflecting back that same love. It was a little taste of the kingdom of God here at Redeemer. Continue reading ‘Sermon - 22 August 2010’ »

Sermon Preached by The Rev. Richard Marsden
12th Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Preached by The Rev. Richard Marsden
Proper 15 C
Jeremiah 23: 23-29

The nation had lost touch with the truth—it had disregarded the very thing which gave it its very identity, the thing which made it unique in all the world.

It had risen to prominence from a motley group of settlers to become a very powerful and prosperous nation.

Its strength, its power, its success as a nation was indissolubly connected with the truths – the covenant- that gave it its identity, shaped its very functioning.

Identified and symbolized by a city at its heart from where its leaders ruled, and its most sacred heritage was anchored, the nation’s leaders lost sight of the national identity in favor of what benefits they might reap for themselves. They were interested in the nation’s place amidst the power struggles in the rest of the world, rather than standing for the uniqueness of its own identity—of witnessing to the truths on which their very existence depended.

Religious leaders became open—more flexible in terms of their understanding of God and his place in the culture and society. As a result, morality began to suffer. Things that had been considered to be morally reprehensible a couple of generations earlier became accepted now. The concepts of justice and mercy suffered, as the law itself was disregarded. Continue reading ‘Sermon - 15 August, 2010’ »

Sermon Preached by The Rev. Lance Wallace

Sermon Preached by The Rev. Lance Wallace

Today’s Gospel reading is one which has the ability to relieve and cause anxiety at the same time, rather like when the doctor would tell someone, “Yes, I can take care of the life-threatening problem…. of course, the arm and leg will definitely have to come off.” Jesus says, “Fear not little flock.” For it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. That’s the good news. In fact that is wonderful news! Think about it. It makes God happy to give us the kingdom! Then Jesus says, “Sell your possessions and give the money away.” What? Continue reading ‘Sermon - 8 August 2010’ »

10th Sunday after Pentecost