Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (12/27/15)

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Galatians4:4-7

On Sunday, December 27th we rededicated the Condron Chapel at First United Presbyterian Church, Houston. Condron Chapel was built in the 1950s as part of an addition to the original church structure. In recent years it became clear that the chapel was in need of restoration. In 2015 the Session authorized the renovation of Condron Chapel, the Property Committee worked diligently to make decisions about the space, and then members of that committee did the bulk of the work to restore the chapel. The congregation was generous in its financial support of the project; the cross that adorns the wall behind the chancel (pictured) is the gracious gift of the family of Frances Wylie. This post includes the sermon that was preached on Sunday, as well as the prayers that were offered for the rededication of the chapel.

Christmas Eve Meditation (12/24/15)

Luke 2:1-20

A.C. Michael, originally published in the Illustrated News, January 9, 1915

In this message, we examine two stories about Christmas. One of these is the very familiar story of Jesus' birth that appears in the Gospel of Luke. The other is the story of the Christmas truce of 1914. During this truce, British and French soldiers got out of their trenches and celebrated Christmas with German and Austrian soldiers in no-man's-land. Read on to learn more about this story. 

Feed This Flock (12/20/15)

Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10

 Photo courtesy of Haley Wallace

In this week's message, we look at two of my favorite things, Star Wars and stewardship. What does one have to do with the other? Read the sermon and find out!

The Way of Peace (12/6/15)

Elizabeth and Zechariah

Image retrieved from: http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54189

How do we find peace in troubled time? Escaping our troubles and finding inner peace (God's peace!) are two different things. In this message, we'll examine a song by Joni Mitchell, an episode of Seinfeld, and Zechariah's psalm of praise.

Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79

The Season of Expectations (11/29/15)

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36

Last week we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent and the sacrament of baptism. We talked about the uncomfortable nature of this season of watching and waiting; we also talked about the movie Talladega Nights.

Famous Last Words (11/22/15)

Christ before Pilate by Jacques Le Breton and Jean Gaudin.

Image retrieved from: http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-viewimage.pl

What does it mean to say that Christ is king? In this sermon, we explore that question and also our fascination with the biographies and the last words of famous leaders.

2 Samuel 23:1-7; John 18:33-37