2nd Sunday After Epiphany, January 17, 2021- 1st Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - My children grew up reading and viewing the Star Wars’ sagas, which, in some ways, influenced my son Devon’s path to ordained ministry. I remember him saying that the Jedi knights reminded him of Christian clergy… Continue reading Being Faithful and True to God’s Way
Sermons Archive
After Me Will Come One Mightier Than I
1st Sunday After Epiphany, January 10, 2021- Mark 1:4-11- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - This first Sunday following Epiphany has me thinking a lot about John the Baptist as the necessary forerunner to Christ, crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” (Mark 1:3) Most likely, John did not see… Continue reading After Me Will Come One Mightier Than I
In The Meantime
1st Sunday After Christmas, December 27, 2020- Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Luke 2:22-40- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - It is important to note that amid the backdrop of emerging anti-Semitism decades following the death and resurrection of Christ, the author of Luke’s Gospel emphasized the important role Jewish leaders played in the nurturing and upbringing… Continue reading In The Meantime
The Lord Is with You
4th Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2020- 2nd Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:26-38- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - “Greetings, O favored one!” said the angel Gabriel, “The Lord is with you. But we are told that Mary was much confused and even frightened by this sudden intrusion and announcement of the angel. I… Continue reading The Lord Is with You
Who Are You, and Why Are You Here?
3rd Sunday of Advent, December 13, 2020- John 1:6-8, 19-28- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - Who are you? We can understand the inquisitive nature of those sent by the Pharisees wondering if John the Baptist were the Christ or Elijah or a prophetic voice their scriptures had anticipated would precede the coming of… Continue reading Who Are You, and Why Are You Here?
Are You A Preparer of the Way, or the Way?
2nd Sunday of Advent, December 6, 2020- Isaiah 40:1-5, Mark 1:1-8- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - Are you a preparer of the way, or are you the way? Now what do I mean by that question? In the context of the biblical narrative, we clearly understand the way as being the way of… Continue reading Are You A Preparer of the Way, or the Way?
Expectant Waiting in Uncertain Times
1st Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020- Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for both the birth of Christ and the second coming of Christ. The term is derived from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “coming” or “arrival,” which, in turn… Continue reading Expectant Waiting in Uncertain Times
Why Do We Do This?
25th Sunday After Pentecost, November 22, 2020- Luke 23:33-43- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - Why do we do this? We follow a lesson plan of biblical readings subscribed by the World Council of Churches that repeats itself every three years. And the hope is that congregations will become familiar with some of the… Continue reading Why Do We Do This?
There Was Not a Needy Person Among Them
24th Sunday After Pentecost, November 15, 2020- Acts 4:32-25, Luke 16:19-31- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - Today is Stewardship Consecration Sunday when we discern how God is calling and equipping us to give of our time and resources to the ministry and mission of our church. Stewardship means taking responsibility for the care… Continue reading There Was Not a Needy Person Among Them
An In-Your-Face God
23rd Sunday After Pentecost, November 8, 2020- Amos 5:18-24, Matthew 25:1-13- The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas - “In your face! I’m better than you are, uh huh, uh huh!” This is a very rude expression that arises in the heat of competition between two individuals where one outdoes the other and offers an in-your-face… Continue reading An In-Your-Face God
