sermon

Sermon: the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A
The Community Church of Wilmette
November 9, 2008

Trimmed and Burning

Did you ever think that you would see the day?
Did you ever think that you would see the day?
Did you ever think that an African-American man would be elected President of the United States of America in our lifetime?

I am not sure that I truly believed it. I still have images of the intense segregation of my home town, Richmond. I still struggle with the deep divisions and segregation that exists in Chicago. Those wounds run so deep. The struggles and the blight of racism is still so very real...even here in the so-called enlightened north.

I was so disappointed the day that I realized how divided Chicago was. I came here thinking Chicago would show me a different way of living in a multi-racial community.

I never thought I would ever see an African-American elected to the highest office in our country. Never.

Sermon The Sixth Sunday of Easter
The Community Church of Wilmette
April 27, 2008

Acts 17:22-31
John 14:15-21

Who Are God's Children?

A little more than a week ago I attended the National Workshop on Christian Unity. We spoke about our work together as denominations. We learned about the theological accords and debates that are still ongoing. And Michael Kinnemon, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, in his keynote address challenged us to recall that any real unity will come through God’s work and not by our own efforts. We cannot make idols of our agreements our Councils or even our shared charitable work. Unity is in God. It was in incredible indictment and the statement rang true to most in attendance.

The passage from Acts this morning challenges me to find ways to embody this kind of ecumenism in my personal faith life and in our shared faith life. What of our personal faith traditions have become idols? What of our traditions is of God?

Sometimes people read this passage as a proof for the "spiritual but not religious" approach to faithfulness. It’s more accurate, however, to say that this passage is about being "faithful but not idolatrous." Paul is trying to undo idolatry, not religion.

Read this news story: http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=113686

It that too cool or what??

But if you need more reality in your news, read the comments. I never will understand how people can talk all judgmental and hate-filled and truly believe they are doing as Jesus wanted. I guess it's a good thing I'm just in charge of me and what I do or try to do to live as a Christian.

Read this news story: http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=113686

It that too cool or what??

But if you need more reality in your news, read the comments. I never will understand how people can talk all judgmental and hate-filled and truly believe they are doing as Jesus wanted. I guess it's a good thing I'm just in charge of me and what I do or try to do to live as a Christian.

Sermon: The Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A 2008
The Community Church of Wilmette
March 9, 2008

Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

Founded upon Tears

The church of God is founded upon tears.

This is one of the truest things I can say about the church. It is founded upon the tears of Christ. It is upheld by the tears of the followers of Christ. And how often I forget this truth. I become distracted by other things…

Today’s passage from John is fraught with distractions for me. John has chosen to write it in such a way as to force us, to compel us to ask theological questions. He puts theology in the mouths of those around Jesus.

Martha says, “I know that [Lazarus] will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” This is a stoic confession of faith, a correct statement. It covers her grief and in this way it upholds her.

She also says, “I know that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

Sermon: Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A 2008
The Community Church of Wilmette
March 2, 2008

Psalm 23
John 9:1-42

Free to See

The thing that is most surprising to me is this:
The man who had been blind since birth,
the same man who had been begging outside their walls
for years,
their neighbors’ son,
is someone that they did not recognize.

All this talk about sight, gaining it, healing it, and,
for the Pharisees at least, losing it,
and it is so easy to miss this simple little point:
Before Jesus had come along and healed the man
no one knew who he was. And no one cared.

I love a trial scene as much as the next guy,
and this one in John’s gospel is pretty famous
all things being equal. Someone who has received
grace is being blamed for it…being blamed for being healed.
He was healed on the wrong day.
And he wasn’t supposed to be healed at all.
It was not supposed to be possible.
No one had ever done it before.

And this presents a familiar problem for the Pharisees.
It’s familiar to me at least. I hear old complaints in my mind.
Doesn’t he know his place in society?
Doesn’t he know that he’s not supposed to get better?
Doesn’t he know how to stay anonymous?
And why won’t he tell us who is to blame?
Who sinned? This man or his parents?

This is the trouble with some types of blindness.

Sermon: Proper 24 (29) Year C 2007

Community Church of Wilmette
October 21, 2007

There Is No Quick Fix: How Bad Theology Hurts People

I am angry.

And I find it difficult to step into a pulpit when I’m angry knowing
that the purpose of a pulpit, the truth-telling significance of the
pulpit, is to proclaim the presence of God.

Ann Coulter, the political instigator, has been in the news lately.
Once again the internet newswire is afire because of something she said
in an interview. Usually I pay this no mind. I don't have the time for
it. But this week I just couldn't let it go.

Sermon – Simplicity: Don’t Forget to Share
September 23, 2007
Community Church of Wilmette
Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Luke 12:13-21

Last week we focused on the inward nature of the discipline of Simplicity. We attempted a contemplative exercise and I spoke about the importance of prayer, contemplation, and an uncluttered heart. Our hearts should be focused upon God…have room for God. This is how we have simple hearts.

This week I want to look at the outward nature of the discipline. More than most Christian disciplines, simplicity manifests itself in the world.

I consider myself to be an "armchair mystic." Eileen's response to my previous blog entry inspired me to post an old sermon. I preached this when I was the Interim Associate Pastor of Second Congregational Church in Rockford, IL. It's hard to believe this was from January 2006. (Has it really been that long?)