Sermons 2001 - 2002
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Sundays and Special Days (Sacred and
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Advent 2001 (December 2) through Pentecost 2002 (November 24)
Lectionary Cycle Year A
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2004- 2005) (Sermons 2005-2006)
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2007-2008)
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ADVENT, 2001
December
2 - First Sunday of Advent
Lesson: Matthew 4, 8-11
Sermon Title: Living for Jesus!
Jesus, take this heart of mine, Make it pure and wholly Thine; On the cross You died for me, I will try to live for Thee.
December 9 - Second
Sunday of Advent
Lesson: Matthew 4.12-17
Sermon Title: Sonrise
2
But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall, (Malachi 4:2, NRSVA). What a wonderful promise, How will it be fulfilled?
December 16 - Third
Sunday of Advent
Lesson: Matthew 4.18-22
Sermon Title: Hook, Line and Sinker
Many people like to fish. Peter and Andrew fished for a living. Jesus is offering to make them fishers of people. They accept his offer, not immediately realizing what is involved. How do we deal with our stereotypes?
December 23 -
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lesson: Matthew 4.23-25
Sermon Title:
He is famous. He cures. Is he still famous? Does he still cure? What will Jesus do for you?
December 24 -
Christmas Eve Service
Lesson: Psalm 96.1-13; Isaiah 9.2-7; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20
Sermon Title: the Inn Keeper's Story (There is no sermon for
this date.)
December 30 - First
Sunday after Christmas
Lesson: Matthew 5.1-3
Sermon Title: When Poor Is Not Poverty
Some people read this passage "Blessed are the poor," and stop there. This is not the place to stop. Poor does not mean poverty. What does it mean?
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JANUARY 2002
January
6, Communion Sunday, Epiphany
Lesson: Lesson Matthew 5.1, 4
Sermon Title: Tears of Sorrow, Shouts of Laughter
Mourning is a state of living. Mourning is a condition of life. Does this mean we are to go around with sad and fallen faces? What is the condition, the state of living?
January 13 -Baptism
of Our Lord
Lesson: Matthew
5.1-2, 5
Sermon Title: The Way to Self-control
We human beings are often, to quote an old cliché, caught between a rock and a hard place. We are competitive, often to extreme, yet god calls us to be the meek of the earth. How, in this world, do we do this?
January 18-25, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 20 -
Lesson: Matthew 5.1, 6
Sermon Title: Fulfillment
Is righteousness a state or an action? Its something to think and preach about.
January 21, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 22 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service, 7:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, Spring Green.
January 27 -
Lesson: Matthew 5.1, 7
Sermon Title: Mercy, Mercy
Jesus reveals that there are three weightier matters: justice, mercy and faith. Do they work together, and if not, do they work at all?
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February
3 - Boy Scout Sunday
Lesson: Matthew 5.1, 8
Sermon Title: Inside Out
45
The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks, (Luke 6:45, NRSVA). The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks, (Luke 6:45, NRSVA).
February
10 -
Transfiguration Sunday
Lesson: Matthew 5.1-2, 9
Sermon Title: War and Peace
One of the most difficult emotional states to achieve is that of peace. You cannot have peace, full and realized peace, until you become a peacemaker. How?
February 13
-Ash Wednesday Service, 7:30 p.m.
Lesson: Psalm 51.1-17; Joel 2.1-2, 12-17; 2
Corinthians 5.20b-6.10
Sermon Title: Out of the Ashes
There are times when life turns to ashes. In those moments we need help. God offers help. God forgives. God provides grace. It is then that like the Phoenix, we can rise to new and productive life. This is the message of the Good News. This is the message of worship on an Ash Wednesday.
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 17 -
First Sunday in Lent, Brotherhood and Sisterhood Week
Lesson: Matthew 5:1-2, 10
Sermon Title: Faithfulness Under Fire
Persecution comes in many guises and in many forms. We are not to be the persecutors but the persecuted. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.
February 24
-Second Sunday in Lent
Lesson: Matthew 5:1-2, 1-12
Sermon Title: Is It Worth It?
Rejoice and be glad. Come on. You must be kidding. Jesus is serious here. Is it possible to reach a state of existence where we can actually live this way?
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March 1, World Day of Prayer
March
3 - Third Sunday in Lent, Girl Scout Sunday
Lesson: Matthew 5:13
Sermon Title: Too Much, Not enough, Just Right
How can we get just right?
March 10
-Fourth Sunday in Lent
Lesson: Matthew 5.14-16
Sermon Title: This Little Light of Mine
We will be known by our deeds more than we will be known by our words. Both are light. How do we keep them in balance?
March 17 -Fifth
Sunday in Lent
Lesson: Matthew 5.17-20
Sermon Title: Called Great
What's this all about? Its about being. Its about love
March 24
-Passion, Palm Sunday
Lesson: Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29; Matthew 21.1-11
Sermon Title: The King Is Coming!
Unrecognized, unwanted, misunderstood, but he's coming anyway. One day he will be recognized, wanted, and understood. This is the day!
March
28 -
Maundy Thursday
Lesson: Psalm 116.1-4, 12-19; Exodus 12.1-14; 1 Corinthians 11.23-26;
John 13.1-17, 31b-35
Sermon Title: Coping with Changing Conditions
Life changes. Life changed for the Hebrews waiting release from captivity. Life changed for the Disciples of Jesus as they took up the task left to them by Jesus. Life changes for us. We need to learn to cope with changing conditions.
March
29 - Good
Friday
Lesson: Isaiah 52.13-53.12; Hebrews 10.16-25
Sermon Title: At the Cross
There is a kind of assurance that is spoken of as, "I hope so?" There is the blessed assurance. We can tell the difference by the enthusiasm that we have for Jesus Christ.
March 31 -
Easter Sunday
Lessons: Colossians 3.1-4; John 20.1-18
Sermon Title: Revival, Renewal, Rebirth
The continual celebration of Christ's resurrection on a Sunday morning is not reinventing the wheel. Let's face it, we are forgetful and need to be reminded. Easter Sunday is a reminder, a wake-up call.
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April 1 - April fool's Day (Daylight Savings Time Begins)
April 7 -
Communion Sunday
Lesson: Matthew 5.21-28
Sermon Title: You Shall Not Kill
Killing is taking life, but it is more than physical. How much more?
April 14 -
Lesson: Matthew 5.27-30
Sermon Title: Lust for Life
Aphrodisia or lust is considered a negative, one of the seven deadly sins. Can aphrodisia or lust ever be a positive. It might be if you put the same effort and desire into your quest for God. Then would this be Lusting for Life?
April 19 - Holocaust Remembrance Day
April 21 -
Lesson: Matthew 5.31-32
Sermon Title: The Devastation of Divorce
Not all "marriages are made in heaven." I know this not only from personal experience, but also from working with people for the past 45 years. The only protection from divorce is love and hard work. Otherwise you may experience the devastation of divorce.
April 24, Secretary's Day
April 26, Arbor Day
April 28 -
Sermon
Title: If You Say You must Say B or A + B =C
It was once said "That your word was your bond." Now we need many-paged contracts written by lawyers detailing every nuance. And even with all of this it may not be enough. Jesus said let your "Yes be yes" and your "No be no." This ought to be enough. Is the Christian’s word more reliable than any one else’s?
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May 2 - National Day of Prayer
May 5 -
Lesson: Matthew
5.38-42
Sermon Title:
Beaten Up, Broken Up, Borrowed Up
Let’s agree that this is true. How bruised and battered do we have to become to fulfill the words of Jesus?
May 9 - Ascension Day
May 12 -
Mother's Day, Ascension Sunday
Lessons:
Ephesians
6.2-3
Sermon Title: Honor above All Else
No matter what the circumstances, we are called by God to respect our mothers. This we do in a very special way on Mother’s Day.
May 19
-Pentecost Sunday, Guest Speaker
Lesson: To Be Announced
Sermon Title: To Be Announced
May 26 -
Trinity Sunday, Memorial Sunday, Guest Speaker
Lesson: To Be Announced
Sermon Title: To Be Announced
May 27 - Memorial Day Observed
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June
2 - Guest Speaker
Lesson: To Be Announced
Sermon Title: To Be Announced
June 9 -
Guest Speaker
Lesson: To Be Announced
Sermon Title: To Be Announced
June 14 - Flag Day
June 16 -
Father's Day
Lesson:
Galatians 6:6-10
Sermon Title: Interior Decorating
Its not what’s on the outside that’s most important but what’s on the inside. Keeping this in mind reveals that we are all interior decorators. We are not using objects of color or texture to fill a space. We are using attributes of character and action. How does one become a superior interior decorator?
June 23 -
Lesson: Matthew 5.43-47
Sermon Title:
How?
How are we to come to love our enemies. There is a secret. In this sermon you will be let into the secret of how we can love our enemies.
June 30
-Independence Sunday
Lesson: 1 John 3.14-18
Sermon Title: A
Vision for America
These words for American, the Beautiful, were written by Katherine Lee Bates during the summer of 1893. The question for us today, as it has been in the past, is "How may we realize the vision for America as seen through the eyes of Katherine Lee Bates?
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July 4 - U. S. Independence Day
July 7 -
Communion Sunday
Lesson: Matthew
5.48
Sermon Title: Mission Impossible?
This sermon will explore when the impossible can become the possible. Its all a matter of degree and acceptance.
July 14 -
Annual Church Picnic, Brigham Park
Lesson: Psalm 73 (Selected)
Sermon Title: Imagine That
Imagination can be the source of anxiety or even fear. We go with the writer of Psalm 73 into the temple of God and our imaginations are sanctified and we are led t see the true realities of life.
July 21 -
Lesson: Matthew
6.1-4
Sermon Title: Bragging Rights
We are not to boast or brag about our generosity in giving to the poor or any one else.
July 28 -
Parent's Day
Lesson: Matthew
6.5-7
Sermon Title: When You Pray
Prayer is not an event it is a process. Prayer is a way of life. You do not have to use words to be in a spirit of prayer. How do we get there?
August
4 -
Lesson: Matthew
6.9
Sermon Title: Father, Mother, Sister, Brother?
How do you name God? What name or names are most appropriate. Why should we call God Father and not Father/Mother or something else? Are names given or are they figures of speech? Come and see!
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August
11 - Friendship Day
Lesson: Matthew
6.9b
Sermon Title: Handle With Care!
God is friend, lover, and giver of good gifts, but still God, high and holy, living in unapproachable light. How we treat God determines our present quality of life and our future.
August 18 -
Guest Speaker
Lesson: To Be Announced
Sermon Title: To Be Announced
August 25
-
Lesson: Matthew
6.10a
Sermon Title: Why should I Care?
Why should I pray, "Your kingdom come?" What I have now is mine, all mine!
September
1 -
Lesson: Matthew
6.10b
Sermon Title: Doing God’s Will
What is God’s will? How do we discover God’s will for our personal lives, our church, and the world?
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September
8 - Labor Sunday
Lesson: Matthew
6.11
Sermon Title: Bread for the Journey.
We cannot live without bread. Is it a physical substance or a metaphor or example of what God is providing us in Jesus Christ?
September 2, Labor Day
September
15 -
Lesson: Matthew
6.12
Sermon Title: As We Also
The implication is that our forgiveness is conditional upon our willingness to forgive. We are not to forgive and forget. We are to forgive. How do we learn to do this?
September 17, Citizenship Day
September 17, Citizenship Day
September 17, Citizenship Day
September
22 -
Lesson: Matthew
6.13a
Sermon Title: The Source and Source of Relief
We all face trails of various types and intensities. What is the source, and how to we find relief or even rescue?
September
29 -
Lesson: Matthew
6.13b (footnote)
Sermon Title: Exclamations of Glory and Praise
God is not a footnote to prayer or to life. Why footnote? What does it mean?
October
6 - World Communion Sunday, Communion Sunday
Lesson: Matthew
6:16-18
Sermon Title:
Nuisance or Notice
Rewards may be immediate or delayed, present or future. If you have received your reward now, what does the future hold for you?
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October
13 -
National Children's Sunday, Laity Sunday
Lesson: Matthew
6:19-21
Sermon Title:
Safe and Sure
How do we store treasure in Heaven? What kind of currency do we use? How do we make a deposit? Can we make a withdrawal? How important is God’s banking system?
October 16 - National Boss Day
October
20 -
Lesson: Matthew 6.22-23
Sermon Title: Sound Eyes, Healthy Heart
When’s the last time you had your eyes examined? How do you know what you see is what is? Do you know the difference between light and darkness? How do we learn to live in the light?
October
27 -Reformation Sunday (Daylight Savings Time Ends)
Lesson: Ephesians 1:17-19
Sermon Title: Enlightened Heart
October 31 - Reformation Day, Halloween
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November 3 -
All Saints Day Sunday
Lesson: 1 Peter 2.1-10
Sermon Title: Sinners and Saints
You are a saint. A saint is not dead, but alive. A saint is not the doer of the extraordinary, but the ordinary. How to be a saint.
November 5 - Election Day
November 10 -
Veteran's Day, Stewardship Sunday
Lesson: Mark 10.17-27
Sermon Title: Location and Direction
It is the direction of life, and not the events of life that are most important. We will all have our spiritual ups and downs. How do we orient our selves to Christ in a way that sanctifies the events and provides divine direction?
November 11 - Veteran's Day Observed
November 17 -
Bible Sunday
Lesson: Colossians 3.12-17
Sermon Title: Who Is the Richest Person in the World?
The B-I-B-L-E, that's the book for me. Is it really? Yes! Let the word dwell in you richly. It can overcome poverty.
November 24 -
Christ the King Sunday, Thanksgiving Sunday, Pilgrim Sunday
Lesson: John 18.33-38
Sermon Title: If You Say So!
Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It is your choice. Why?
November
27 - 7:00 P. M. Thanksgiving Praise and Prayer Service,
Location to be announced.
Lesson: Philippians 4.4-7
Sermon Title: Thanks-giving
This is a Memorial Service and a Service of Praise and Thanksgiving. We remember our spiritual ancestry and praise God for the blessings of the day and the year.
November 28 -Thanksgiving Day
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(For the sermon schedule
for Advent 2002 through Pentecost 2003,
see sermons_2003