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

Wars and Rumors of Wars (11/15/15)

Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8 

Last week was one of those weeks. I was in a bunch of meetings. Long meetings. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. I officiated a funeral on Friday. I was beat. And then I heard the news from Paris. And Baghdad. And Beirut. I hope that I was able to speak a word or two of grace into a gloomy world.

What If We Give It Away? (11/8/15)

1 Kings 17:8-16; Mark 12:38-44

In this week's sermon I examine the stories of two faithful women: the widow of Zarephath and the widow who placed two small copper coins in the offering at the synagogue. This is a sermon about stewardship, identity, and the impermanence of material things. The picture above is my old fraternity house, taken a couple years before it was torn down. 

The Power of a Name (10/25/15)

On Sunday, October 25th, I celebrated the baptism of two babies: Dexter Robert Demian and Lennox Elias Stevens. Each child comes from a family with a long relationship with First United Presbyterian Church. These are the very first baptisms that I had the privilege to celebrate.

In this picture, I'm holding Dexter Demian. Clearly, I'm more excited about this than Dexter is. It's a day I'll never forget! The text of my sermon from that Sunday is included below.

Love, Humility, and Service (10/18/15)

This is me on October 31, 2015, right after I ran my very first race. In this sermon from October 18th, I offer some observations on my own running and the difficulties we all have when we try to be humble.