The story that so closely follows Christmas might unsettle us as much as it the baby Jesus and his parents, all in flight. But Christmas doens't amke way for the world, it makes its way in the world. So unsettled is just the right feeling.

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Here's a homily for Christmas Eve.

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

The birth of Jesus calls us into the real in away that the world these days would take issue with.

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

John's expectations were a little off. As it happens, so are ours more often than not.

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Hope is tinged with anger and polished with defiant joy. 

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Here's a final word for this passing church year, offered with the hope that it shall unleash you into eternity if still also bound by time.

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

This is a long sermon, likely because it's my last in Monterey, and you never want the end to come too soon.

Montery Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

As the church year nears its close, our stories for Sunday morning become more and more challenging. The press is on. 

We'll make it through.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Today we remember those regular people in our live whom prior times would have easily forgotten but whom the God of the Bible would have us lift up in remembrance as embodying God's glory.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

We imitate one another, which is good for us until it's bad. And then it can be very bad.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

When you're most annoying dog becomes the model for how to do this.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

When a whole sermon can be summed up in Janis Joplin's voicing, you gotta wonder if the 24 minutes are worth spent in listening. 

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

A heavy dose if what we need.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

A useless field, but worth every penny.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

The mouth-house is a tradition we gratefully stand in and we loudly mouth off from. 

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Charlie Kirk's muderer is one of "ours." And there are many others like him. We must welcome them in, welcome them home.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

We are called each and all. The ancient got the "all" of it, the Modern West gets the "each" of it. Jesus calls us to both/and, but today does in terms of "either/or."

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

The Lord intends liberty. We might not be ready for that.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Does God's care wear out? 

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Modest aims result in glorious ends. Don't believe me?

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Teach us to pray.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

All is lost. The word has fallen silent.

Hear now the word speak.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

The job of the apostles sent out is blindly obvious, yet we often miss it: Be as lambs amidst worlves. Would that the church managed that more consistently.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

All who wander are not lost--but some are, or so it seems. Here's how to be found in your wandering.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Who's feasting at the table with you in glory? 

Think bigger.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Tabitha spent her time making tunics for widows, not the sort of thing that will make you great in the eyes of the world. But often a life that touches deeply a few lives amounts to something greater still.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

This one puzzles over the cross, which is itself the puzzle of human existence and the Christian faith.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Thomas gets a bad name.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Happy Easter, everyone. 

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

We have a standard of measuring those who would rule us, a ruler beyond the ruler. The ones these days aren't measuring up.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

It could be that to claim citizenship in the Kingdom of God we put at risk out citizenship in the kingdoms of this world. 

Rest assured, this is to trade up.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Everything happens for a reason?

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hil, Lenox (UCC)

With heroes like the ones our popular culture has imagned, who needs villains?

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

You have heard it said the gospel isn't political, is but a personal matter. But I say unto you, can't it be both?

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

The Transfiguraton is a vision of the end broken into time, enered into the  middle that might encourage is our living--and Lord knows we need encouragement, and moreover courage, these days. 

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Reasons for fretting are rife. Reasons for faith?

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

The Holy Spirit is with the people.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Take a minunte. Consider yourself. Then do the works of love.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Good news to the poor? Check.

Recovery  of sight to the blind? Check.

Day of vengeance for our God? Not so much.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

This is a talk I prepared for a 2024 honoring of MLK Day, which I reworked for a gathering in 2025.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Those empty cisterns need to be filled.

Montery Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Fire isn't settled as to its meaning in scripture. So be not afraid.

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)

Some get, some don't. Is that okay with you?

Monterey Church, UCC

Church on the Hill, Lenox (UCC)