[RCL] Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7; John 1:1-18 Let’s start with the obvious: for many people, it’s not really clear why we’re here in church today. We’ve just come off a great festival of Christmas services, with music and candles and all the spectacle you could ever want. So we have to ask the…

RCL: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26 This Bible study is part of a series produced by the Office of Global Partnerships of The Episcopal Church. Jeremiah 17:5-10 “You lied to us. You gave us false hope. You told us that the future was something to look forward to. And the saddest…

Following are the opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, by House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris to the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting June 23-25 in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.

“Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” What thoughts does this quote from today’s gospel reading bring up for you? Did you think, “Awesome! We need to talk more about greed”? Or was it more like, “Oh, no. Here it comes: stewardship season and another Sermon on the Amount”? The topic…

In the Philadelphia Museum of Art there’s a striking painting by Russian Marc Chagall. As Chagall’s often complexly allergorical or symbolic paintings go, it’s very simple. It has a large white figure of a man, several smaller white figures of houses and a church, and two words in Russian on a black background. The striking…

Today’s scripture readings are replete with hopeful images and stories. In today’s psalm, David exalts God who has lifted him “out of the depths,” healed him, and brought him “up from the grave.” God turns David’s “wailing into dancing.” In the reading from Revelation, millions of angels sing in a “loud voice.” Imagine being there…

All throughout scripture there is attention paid, and tension within, the relationship between money and piety. Money and possessions signal God’s blessing in many stories. God’s blessing follows those who live an upright and righteous life. There almost seems to be a quid pro quo equation between having money and possessions and the assumed goodness…

A Keeper of the Charge! A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will! (Words: Charles Wesley, 1762. Music/Boylston: Lowell Mason, 1832)…

[RCL] Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22:1-15; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31 Peek-a-boo! [Cover eyes with hands and then remove them as you say the words if you wish] Have you ever played this game with a baby or toddler? Or perhaps you have heard this from a child: “If I close my eyes, you can’t see…

Today’s scripture readings are replete with hopeful images and stories. In today’s psalm, David exalts God who has lifted him “out of the depths,” healed him, and brought him “up from the grave.” God turns David’s “wailing into dancing.” In the reading from Revelation, millions of angels sing in a “loud voice.” Imagine being there…