~ A sermon by The Rev. Keenan Kelsey ~ Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of … Read More
~ Matthew 4:12-17/Isaiah 9:1-4 ~ What were Jesus’ first words as he began his ministry? Last week we noted that in the Gospel of John his first words were, “What are you looking for?” But this week our gospel lesson suggests something different. Here’s how Matthew sets it up. First … Read More
~ John 1:35-39 ~ There I am standing in the department store, apparently looking quite lost because, inevitably, a store clerk comes up to me and says, “Can I help you find anything.” To which I say, “My wife?” Of course, they can’t help me — find my wife. Although … Read More
~ Matthew 3:13-17 ~ In the calendar of the church year, this is called Baptism of Christ Sunday. Therefore, baptism tends to get talked about on this Sunday. From the earliest days of the Christian church, baptism has been a big deal. After all, Jesus, himself, was baptized. And artists … Read More
~ Isaiah 60:1-6/Matthew 2:9-11~ My optometrist is actually a friend of mine, so when it comes to telling me hard things he does it gently (well, he’s gentle with all his patients but I like to think I have special standing). At a recent annual visit he said, “David, I … Read More
~ Matthew 2:1-23 ~ Some foreigners arrived from a country off to the East. They must have had some political connections as they seemed to be distinguished gentlemen. But they brought news the ruler did not like. In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of … Read More