Sermons Archive

Guest preacher: The Rev Robert Stuhlmann, Calvary Episcopal, Underhill, VT Jesus’ teaching method was storytelling: A farmer  scatters seed, it grows on its own and becomes a great harvest for which the farmer has done nothing. And the mustard seed so tiny it grows into a mighty bush where the birds make their nests.  Of… Continue reading Parables of Sower and the Seeds and the Mustard Seed

2nd Sunday after Pentecost, June 6, 2021, Genesis 3:8-15, Mark 3:20-35 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas Everyone loves a fascinating fable, and the second account of creation in Genesis does not disappoint us. It probably responded to questions posed by adults and children alike, such as “Why does the snake crawl on its belly?”… Continue reading A House Divided

1st Sunday after Pentecost, May 30, 2021, John 3:1-17 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas My last sermon addressed the need of the church to release itself from the chains that confine it to dogma and theological speculations that fail to speak to the dilemmas and challenges of modern-day spirituality, political and social unrest. If… Continue reading The Bottom Line Is that God So Loved

Pentecost, May 23, 2021, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption… Continue reading Unchained Witnesses

May 16, 2021, Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 Lynn Pilcher, guest preacher, Luther Seminary first-year student Good morning!   I’d like to begin by thanking Pastor Arnold for saying yes to my request to serve as mentor these past two months and for introducing me to the justice and reconciling work… Continue reading 7th Sunday of Easter

6th Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2021, Acts 10:44-48, Galatian 3:27-29, John 15:9-17 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas What does it mean to put on Christ? Is putting on Christ like putting on clothes that reflect your mood or convey an impression that you hope will lead to positive results? A retired friend of… Continue reading Putting on Christ

5th Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2021, Acts 8:26-40, 1st John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas The movement that Jesus started was, at first, seen as a sect of Judaism. And after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 CE, along with the demise of the Sadducees, this movement, known… Continue reading Our Spiritual Ancestry

3rd Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021, 1st John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas Not since the trial of O.J. Simpson, in which the famous football and media star was accused of killing his wife, has our nation and world been so caught up in a courtroom drama – this time… Continue reading Remember that You Are Children of God

Easter, April 4, 2021, Mark 16:1-8 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas I wonder why the women in this resurrection account of Mark’s Gospel were afraid. Were they afraid of what they were running from – the ghost who haunted the tomb and greeted them following the resurrection, or what they were running to –… Continue reading Commonplace Accounts of Resurrections

Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021, Mark 11:1-11 The Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas There are moments in time we can’t forget, no matter how hide we try. We may even remember where we were or what we were doing when they occurred. If you had the power to go back in time and alter these… Continue reading When Bad Times Repeat Themselves