The Seventh Sunday after Easter – May 13, 2018 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 I John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Today’s readings are about prayer and alignment with God’s vision. Belief and action are essential to Christian life, and prayer may be the most definitive faith practice. Today’s readings assert that prayer changes things and leads to world-transforming actions. How does God respond to our prayers? Do our prayers make a difference in our lives and the world beyond? Does prayer... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 6, 2018 Bruce Epperly Acts 10:44-48 or Acts 10:1-24, 34-36, 44-48 ; Psalm 98; I John 5:1-6; John 15:9-1 The marquee sign of an historic congregation in Washington DC proclaims, “where all are pilgrims and none are strangers.” I have adopted this same affirmation for my congregation on Cape Cod. Yes, we are different, sometimes we don’t understand each other, and yet we are all united in Christ. All-embracing... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary -The Fifth Sunday of Easter – April 29, 2018 Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:35-41 I John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Today’s scriptures are mystical, energetic, and empowering. Angels inspire and divine energy flows, giving life to all creation and fruitfulness to persons of faith. Moreover, each of the reading provides enough material for a stand-alone sermon. The adventurous preacher may integrate all four passages as part of a scriptural tapestry or simply focus on one of them Revelation is... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday of Easter – April 22, 2018 Acts 5:4-12 Psalm 23 I John 3:16-24 John 10:11-19 Today’s readings in their portrayal of the interrelationship of theology, spirituality, and ethics are appropriate for Earth Day. It is clear that our planet is in danger due to the impact of humans on climate change, the focus on profit over sustainability, and our emphasis on short-term gains that threaten future generations. We need to listen to the... Read more

The Third Sunday of Easter – April 15, 2018 Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 I John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 Resurrection is always life-shattering and beyond belief. We can neither expect nor control resurrection. But, when it comes, we are amazed and transformed. Can we who have heard the resurrection stories countless times, almost knowing them by heart, hear them in new ways and allow ourselves to be transformed? Luke describes the disciples’ incredulity at encountering the Risen Christ. They have just... Read more

The Second Sunday of Easter Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 I John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31 Some Sundays the preacher receives too possibilities for preaching. Today’s scriptures have too much going on to cover in just one sermon. They could easily be part of a sermon series on practices of Easter. The word “decision” means cutting off, and we must say “no” to certain homiletic possibilities to say “yes” to others. The inspirational preacher needs to be selective about choosing her or... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Easter Sunday – April 1, 2018 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 I Corinthians 15:19-26 John 20:1-18 and Mark 16:1-8 This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! As I awaken each morning, this is my affirmation. I am alive, grateful, and open to unheard of possibilities. What new and glorious thing will God do in this unrepeatable day. I am “woke” to wonder and love – to power... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Palm and Passion Sunday – March 25, 2018 Bruce G. Epperly Mark 11:1-11 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47 (or 15:1-47) Palm Sunday is a challenging holy day in the life of the church. As entry point to Holy Week, it is the beginning of an emotional and political roller coaster. Despite the celebrative atmosphere of Palm Sunday, many congregations join palms and passion, hoping to counteract diminishing attendance at Holy Week services. It is believed that folks... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifth Sunday in Lent – March 18, 2018 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20—33 As we lean toward Holy Week, we are confronted by questions of law, grace, and mercy. What is it like to have God’s law written on our hearts? What would it be like to have God’s presence as near as our heartbeat? For most of us, there is a gap between God’s vision and our behaviors and attitudes. Often... Read more

Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 11, 2018 Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 Today’s passages raise a variety of questions. The describe an ambiguity in divinity. Though they speak of divine rescue and global love, they also suggest a dark side to divinity. God causes suffering and may be the source of punishment that far exceeds our misdeeds. These passages invite us to consider the relationship between grace, punishment, and personal responsibility.... Read more