The Second Sunday of Easter – April 23, 2017 Bruce G. Epperly Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16 I Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 Breathe! Think! Expand! These are some of the themes from this week’s lectionary readings. Though considered a “low” Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter is a “high” Sunday in terms of homiletic possibilities. In fact, it is so chockful with possibilities, that the scriptures for this Sunday will make up the next two weeks of my preaching at... Read more

Easter Celebration – April 16, 2017 Bruce G. Epperly Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18 Matthew 28:1-10 Today we celebrate! Someone amazing and unexpected “once upon a time.” Could it happen again in our time? That is the challenge for preachers and congregants every Easter Sunday. “This is the day that God has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it.” These words from Psalm 118 set the tone for our Easter Adventures. Joy and... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Palm Sunday – April 9, 2017 Bruce G. Epperly Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 21:1-11 Palm Sunday straddles celebration and suffering. The crowds that shout “Hosanna” in great celebration soon will fade in the background to be replaced by “Crucify him.” Life is joy and celebration; it is also sorrow and grief, and a holistic faith must embrace both. This year, our congregation will focus primarily on celebration. We will begin with joy. No passion... Read more

Who me, a mystic? The Mysticism of Everyday Life: Responding to Becky Eldredge For the last two years, I have taught a first Monday seminar at the church I pastor, entitled “A Month with a Mystic” in which we focus on the theology, spirituality, and practices of a particular spiritual guide or mystic. In the past two years, we have held seminars on persons such as Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, Rumi, John of the Cross, and Albert Schweitzer.... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifth Sunday in Lent – April 2, 2017 Bruce Epperly Ezekiel 17:1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Lent is a season in which we confront our limitations, sin, and mortality. We are dust and to dust we return, we are finite and our finitude is the source of creativity and fear, we are sinful and sin leads to separation from God, others, and our personal destiny. Yet, during the Lenten season, self-awareness is the... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 26, 2017 I Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Today’s scriptures are surprising. The unexpected child becomes a leader, we feel safe a trek through the darkest valley, we can live in contrast to the norms of our culture in which the blind can see and the sighted are blind. These scriptures speak of light and darkness, and sight and blindness They are metaphorical in nature, and must... Read more

Winnie the Pooh is a wanderer. Each day is an adventure with no preordained destination. It might be the quest for a honey tree, a conversation with Christopher Robin, a float down the stream, or a journey to the North Pole. Wherever he finds himself, he feels blessed as he rejoices in the wonders of the 100 Aker Wood. Winnie the Pooh trusts the Gentle Providence of life to guide him where he needs to be and whenever he needs... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary -The Third Sunday in Lent – March 19, 2017 Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11;. John 4:1-42 Psalm 95 sets the stage for this week’s readings. Joy, gratitude, and trust characterize the Psalmist’s relationship with God. Singing praise for all that God is and what God has done is at the heart of a holistic faith. Divine providence is at work in the micro and the macro, in the human and non-human worlds. In the spirit of... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday in Lent – March 12, 2017 Genesis 12:1-42; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5; 13-17; John 3:1-17 God’s call is universal and ubiquitous. God is still moving and speaking, and faithfulness to God invites us to be on the move, too! The story of Abraham’s call celebrates forward movement. Despite the brevity of the text and the absence of Sarah as an equal protagonist, the passage points to forward looking spirituality. With Abraham Joshua Heschel,... Read more

Baby boomers are discovering their mortality. For a while, we lived in the garden, never expecting to grow old, hoping that the “better living through chemistry” that inspired spiritual adventures in the 60’s and 70’s will continue with medications be our fountain of youth now that we are in our 60’s and 70’s. A Jewish saying counsels that each person should have a note in each pocket. In one pocket, the note should announce “for you the universe was created.”... Read more