Mysterious Transformations (1/24/2016)

1 Cor. 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21 

Jan Polack, Christ Preaching in the Temple

My apologies for the delay in posting this. I was on vacation from January 25th through the 30th, so I'm a bit behind on my postings. On Sunday, January 24th, we considered the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how that relates to our understanding of reconciliation in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Deserve’s Got Nothing to Do with It (1/17/2016)

Isaiah 62:1-5; John 2:1-11

The Miracle at Cana, St. James Catholic Church, London

On Sunday we ordained and installed Ruling Elders and Deacons. I preached on the Wedding at Cana and instead of wearing my clerical robe, I wore my Hines Ward jersey (with my liturgical stole, of course). Was this appropriate attire for the pulpit? Was I showing too much team spirit? Or was I trying to make a theological point? Read on to find out. 

The Baptism of the Lord (1/10/2016)

Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Baptism of Christ, mosaic, detail, from Ravenna Baptistery, Ravenna, Italy

On Sunday, January 10th we observed the Baptism of the Lord. We examined what it means to be baptized into Christ's life, work, death, and resurrection.

The Greatest Gift (1/3/2016)

Psalm 147:12-20; John 1:1-18 

God hovers over the water and creates light; detail from a mosaic in the Capella Palatina di Palermo, Italy

On Sunday, January 3rd, we celebrated communion and worshiped in Condron Memorial Chapel. On that morning, we listened to the prologue to the Gospel of John and we discussed the importance of writing ourselves into the story of creation and re-creation.

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!