This morning we hear more about visions. In a vision, Paul was called to leave the familiar Jewish world and go to Macedonia, Greece, and eventually to Rome and beyond. And John’s vision continues; “in the Spirit” he is given a vivid picture of the new Jerusalem, God’s holy purpose for all creation. We have been hearing about visions and dreams in the Sunday scriptures for the last few weeks. These passages tell only part of the story of how Jesus’ disciples struggled to m

Why do we come here on this Easter morning? Perhaps it is just out of habit, or family tradition, just a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning. We are celebrating an event which runs entirely counter to common sense; it is a challenge to our reason and our experience. In word and song, we proclaim that Jesus rose from the dead. Today, we claim the impossible. So – obviously - we don’t come for logical, rational reasons. We could just as easily be at home, enjoying Easter

Remember the old hymn, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand.” Beneath the Cross of Jesus – that’s where we stand today, gladly. Standing at the foot of the Cross, we see suffering, death; betrayal; loss and sorrow. “It is finished…. “ Jesus says. Has it all been for nothing? he asks, we ask. Theologians and the simplest believers, all of us struggle to find the meaning of this day, the meaning of Jesus’ death. And all of our explanations fall short. The m

It is a strange day for us, followers of Jesus. We start out with palms and praises – welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem, welcoming him into our lives and our hearts. Who doesn’t love a parade, after all. Palms and cheers, responding to God’s promised messiah. Joy and enthusiasm are appropriate. Celebration with all our hearts. If we didn’t praise and welcome Jesus, if we were silent, Jesus reminds us that even the stones would shout out. The whole creation praises God’s pre

From ancient times, mountains have been part of the story of our faith. Mountains are places of encounter with the divine. Moses on Mt. Sinai, Jerusalem, Mt. Zion; Jesus’ preaching on the mountain side. In these high places, the air is clearer, the world is quieter. We are removed from the noisiness and distractions of everyday life; the internet fails and cell phones don’t work. We able to see a horizon far greater than the narrow, restricted views of our lives in the low

Water into wine. One of the most well-known and familiar of stories in the Gospels. But why? Why do we remember this strange and puzzling event? Most of Jesus’ miracles are about healing, conquering demons, and meeting real human needs for health and salvation. But – Jesus making more wine, and LOTs of it, to keep a wedding party going? What sort of a miracle is this? But, as we see Jesus turning water into wine, something resonates in our hearts and souls. What happens

Years ago, when I was rector of the American Church in Florence, Italy, one of the joys for our family in the weeks after Christmas was to visit the presepi in the Florentine churches. A presepio is a crèche – but not just the holy family and a few wise men and shepherds. A presepio is the whole biblical countryside – mountains, rivers, fields, towns, with people carrying out everyday tasks of work and daily routine. There is always a shepherd boy who fell asleep and misse

Tonight we remember again the holy story. The story of the birth of Jesus, the son of God, born into our lives, our flesh and our world. And as this familiar Christmas story is told again, we hear the words of the angels, the messengers of God, announcing to those who were fearful: “Do not be afraid.” Mary, a young teenager, unmarried, faced with a terrifying possibility, the scorn of her family and neighbors, the burden of being an unwed mother – bearing a child, the son

“My soul magnifies the Lord.” Mary’s song. We read together this morning on this last Sunday Advent. Mary’s soul magnifies God, makes God clearer, makes God bigger. Her song shows what God is doing in the world. When the angel Gabriel came to her, Mary said “yes.” She will do what God calls her to do. And for this “yes,” Mary not only magnifies God, she is magnified BY God. In the traditional wording of Mary’s song, the version I remember singing every evening many yea

Advent is a penitential season, but not like Lent. Advent is a season of joy rather than introspective repentance. Blue vestments, rather than purple. The pink candle is lit – “Gaudate Sunday” – that is today. “Rejoice and exult in your heart. The Lord is in your midst.” These joyful promises of the prophet Zephaniah, spoken centuries before Jesus, still ring true. As do the words of Isaiah: “Cry aloud, ring out your joy….” John the Baptist harshly tells us to repent an

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world….” Jesus greets us with these words as we celebrate this first Sunday of Advent. Well, Merry Christmas to you too, Jesus! Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are jarring. We are so used to thinking of these weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas as the “Ch

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Paul’s, Thanksgiving is not just a holiday at the end of November. It is a way of life for Christians. Our central act of worship is thanksgiving. We use the Greek word “Eucharist” every week to describe our worship together, and “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving. Living thankfully, every day. That is what we do as Christians. We give thanks for God’s blessings, for all of God’s creation, for life itself. We give thanks for the presence of

The so-called holiday season is upon us, sooner than we would like perhaps, but here it is. The Thanksgiving feast – turkey and cranberries and more food than we can eat; family and football. And then, Christmas, coming up soon after. But, just as the media tell us to get revved up for the “holidays,” the church gives us today’s gospel: Jesus says, in no uncertain terms, that “all will be thrown down.” Couldn’t we wait to start talking about the end of the world, the end o

From the Interim Rector Dear friends at St. Paul’s, I am very pleased to be able to continue in ministry with you for the next year as Interim Rector. I think you all know that I have enjoyed my time with you these last few months, and look forward to an exciting year as you prepare to call your new rector. In addition to leading worship, scripture study and pastoral care, I will be working with the vestry and the parish to help you envision your future ministry and mission