In 1779 a London pastor named John Newton wrote a hymn hymn that he titled Amazing Grace, which today is considered by many to be the most loved hymn in all of history. The hymn begins with the words, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me!” “A wretch like me”—to many… Read More
John 7:37-43 John 8:1-12 These central chapters of John’s gospel aren’t popular in the American church. In fact, except for the first two verses that I read (7:37-39), nothing of these chapters is even included in the lectionary. Perhaps that’s because Jesus’ message in these chapters is, in many ways, very contrary to the message… Read More
Confirmation day—for three years, we’ve been learning about Jesus, learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus, to be a part of His Body. We’ve studied the catechism and the Bible and we’re spent a lot of time talking about how to live as a follower of Jesus. But really, when it comes… Read More
Chapter 6 of John’s gospel brings us to the midpoint of Jesus’ ministry—and in many ways, an important turning point. There are three Passovers in John’s gospel: the first occurs just after the wedding at Cana; John tells us In 2:13 that “The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to… Read More
SERMON FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.… Read More