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Acts 11:1-18
Easter 5C
Illustration/Worship Idea: To start the sermon this week, consider making a big announcement that, effective immediately, all of people’s beloved traditions and favorite programs are canceled. Worship, Music, small groups, Sunday school, service projects. Every church has their own canon of beloved things. Name them and announce you are canceling them. That’s not how we…
Acts 9:36-43
Easter 4C
Last week we heard the story of Saul’s conversion. Then, in the next part of the story (which the Lectionary omits) Saul travels to Jerusalem, with a stop in Damascus where, according to verse 20, “At once he began to preach…” Before moving on to Peter in this morning’s text, let’s spare a thought for…
Acts 9:1-20
Easter 3C
The reliable Jewish world of the 1st century is showing unfamiliar cracks. It has always had a tenuous relationship with Rome and there were always pipsqueaks on a soapbox teaching this or that quirky take on the Torah. But the seismic activity rippling out from the teaching and death of Jesus has got the establishment…
Acts 5:27-32
Easter 2C
Note:Reviewing old sermon notes, I realized I last preached this text for my congregation in Washington DC in 2019. Thereis a lot of contextualization having to do with Christians working as civil servants for the United States federal government. I am going to leave that in place since, six years later, it sadly seems all…
Acts 10:34-43
Easter Day C
A lot happens preceding Peter’s conclusion voiced in verses 34-43. Beginning in verse 9 of Acts chapter 10, we are told the incredible story of an afternoon siesta on the roof. Peter dreams of a great white sheet being lowered from heaven. It descends until Peter is at last able to peer over its hem. …
Acts 8:14-17
Epiphany 1C
While baptism is among the most central practices of the Christian faith, it also remains among Christianity’s most divisive issues. Baptism is one of the two sacraments that Protestant Christians recognize. Yet Jesus’ followers remain deeply divided about especially when and how it should be administered. It’s perhaps disappointing, then, that on this Sunday on…
Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost
Illustration One year, the week before Pentecost, I was volunteering with an interfaith food pantry, hosted by a Christian congregation. Twice, my fellow volunteers — both Jewish — asked about the change in the sanctuary decor and so I had the opportunity to talk with them about Pentecost. I mentioned how all the Jews were…
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Easter 7B
Image: May often signals a season of transition in the church. Graduations, maybe the end of a Sunday school season with thanks to the teachers and time off in the summer. These ends often don’t immediately lead to new beginnings but, rather, to in-between times. It’s hard to live in “in between” spaces — in…
Acts 10:44-48
Easter 6B
Sermon Introduction/Set-Up Consider: what are the activities, practices, traditions, theological convictions, sacred cows that make your congregation unique? What gives your church its sense of identity? Now, before beginning the sermon, consider making an “announcement.” Effective immediately, the church will no longer be doing any of those things. No Sunday worship. No programming. No prayer….
Acts 8:26-40
Easter 5B
This section of Acts is filled with characters who challenge and expand our notion of belonging, the church and how Jesus saves. So what do we know about the man in this morning’s text? We know he was important enough to God that the Spirit sent Philip literally chasing his through the desert. We know…
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