Rev. Dr. Les Martin Easter 5 2024 Rev. Dr. Les Martin Acts 8:26–40, John 14:15-21 This Easter, we have been looking at the transformed understanding of the disciples brought about by the encounter with presence of and teaching of the risen Jesus in their midst. This transformation turns frightened followers into apostles, witnesses of Jesus who are sent out on mission and turn simple fishermen into authoritative teachers of the truth of the gospel. Today’s story from the Acts of the Apostles regarding the apostle Philip, and the Ethiopian eunuch reveals this transformation in their understand ..read more

Saint Barnabas by Anonimo Lombardo Easter 4 2024 Rev. Doug Floyd Acts 4:23-37 Peter and John have been released by the Sanhedrin. They return to the community of believers in Jerusalem. The whole community joins together in prayer, asking God for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel and God’s blessing to stretch out His hand to heal and reveal signs and wonders that glorify His name. As they are praying, the place where they are staying begins to shake, and they are all filled afresh with the power of the Holy Spirit. The community experienced a depth of love and communion between one another ..read more

Rev. Doug Floyd Easter 2, 2024 Rev. Doug Floyd Acts 3:12, 13-15,17-26; John 20:19-31 The disciples are huddled behind a locked door for fear of the Jews. Suddenly Jesus stands in their midst, saying “Peace be with you.” He tells these frail and fearful disciples that He is sending them out. They are His witnesses. Jump ahead seven weeks and these same frail and fearful disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we watch and hear them address the crowds, we behold Spirit of the Risen Christ speaking and moving through them. While Luke is telling the story of these disciples in Acts of the ..read more

Stations of the Resurrections No. 1 by Laura James Easter 2024 Rev. Dr. Les Martin Mark 16:1-8 In the name of the living God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. They were afraid. It doesn’t sound like much of an Easter message. The Gospel we have today is the traditional reading for Easter in the old western lectionary. But honestly, it just doesn’t seem to have much of an Easter feel. Mark reports that the women at the tomb are alarmed, full of terror and bewilderment. And then they were afraid. Despite the messenger’s announcement of good news, despite his attempted reassurance ..read more

Rev. David Freels Transcript unavailable ..read more

Rev. Doug Floyd Maundy Thursday – Descending and Ascending in Christ Doug Floyd John 13 God is kneeling. before a man who will betray him to his enemies. before men who will deny him and forsake him. The High and Holy One descends to the misery of broken people with broken hearts and broken lives, who keep on breaking His glorious creation. Jesus descends into the mess and messiness of this creation marred by sin. He comes from the Father in Heaven. Jesus lives and moves and speaks in participation with His Father by the power of the Spirit. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus shines with ..read more

Rev. Doug Floyd Palm Sunday Rev. Doug Floyd Mark 15:1-39 Today marks the beginning of Holy Week. The Gospel today is sort of an overture for the whole week. The lectionary gives us the option of reading a shorter reading that includes Mark 15:1-39. If we choose the longer reading, we begin in Mark 14 and continue through vs 47 of 15. This reading takes us from Jesus and the disciples to the betrayal to the trial before the chief priests and eventually to the cross. It’s like a preview of our coming week. Today we combine two services. We started with the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusal ..read more

Rev. Dr. Les Martin Lent 5 2024 Rev. Dr. Les Martin John 12:20–36 For I know nothing among you but Christ Jesus and him crucified in the name of the living God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today is a preview of Passion Sunday, when lent begins its painful and dramatic conclusion. By focusing on the final trials, sufferings and acts of Jesus, it’s kind of a peek ahead into the days of Holy Week, and especially to the theological meaning underneath Good Friday. It’s a peek ahead into a very hard time. Let’s look at the context like I like to do our reading today. Jesus has be ..read more

Rev. Doug Floyd Lent 4, 2024 Rev. Doug Floyd 2 Chronicles 36:14–23, Psalm 122, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 6:1–15 During Lent, our readings have invited us to an extended reflection on the Temple. We started with a reflection on Noah and the Ark. The ark is a portable Tabernacle through the waters of the flood. Throughout history the church has been called “The ark of salvation.” Last week, Fr. Les invited us to consider the cleansing of the Temple. The moneychangers expanded into the court of the Gentiles, and as Fr. Les said, “There was no room for the alien, the stranger, the sojourner, to come ..read more

Rev. Dr.Les Martin Lent 3 2024 Rev. Dr. Les Martin Exodus 20:1–21, Romans 7:12–25, John 2:13–22 I am determined to know nothing among you, but Christ Jesus and Him crucified in the name of the living God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. We are back at the temple today. Just about one month after I preached about the temple on Candlemas. Just about one month after Jesus presentation as an infant. The lectionary now provides for us to see him as an adult. And he is not a silent character this time, one over whom words and prophecies are spoken. He is the actor here and he is angr ..read more