If you ever decide to write a book about the gospels, here’s an idea for you. You might want to tackle the central role of the Sea of Galilee in the narrative of Jesus’ ministry. A great freshwater lake or inland sea about a third the size of Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border, it…

“And Joseph went looking for his brothers.” Seeking, searching, Joseph went looking for his brothers. In today’s reading from Genesis, the meaning in Hebrew of Jacob’s command to Joseph is, “See how your brothers are,” with the meaning of “Seek the peacefulness and integrity of your brothers.” Joseph’s search for his brothers, God’s search for…

Note: This sermon can conclude with the singing of a traditional 8-bar blues. If you or someone in your congregation plays guitar, or piano, or banjo (you get the idea), you could easily work this up. It’s a lot of fun, and helps to drive the message (kerygma) home. People internalize what they sing. Or,…

The voice of the Lord is over the waters…[Psalm 29] Pentecost is a time of explanation, a time of gradual but astounding revelation. The readings for this season try to explain to the people of God who have been redeemed by the death and resurrection of the Lord the vastness, the depth of the gift…

Do you believe in Santa Claus?How about the Easter Bunny?The Tooth Fairy? Children do. They have tremendous, unquestioning faith. If they are told that Santa exists, they will believe, and their belief will be reinforced year after year by the presents under the tree, In the case of the Easter Bunny, the eggs in a…