June 9, 2019/ Day of Pentecost /Richard E. Holmer First Reading: Acts 2:1-21 / Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17 / Gospel: John 14:8-17 Enthused Tom Skilling, the intrepid meteorologist on Channel 9, presents weather stories with vivid graphics and computer generated imagery. He also provides personal commentary and anecdotes to make all the scientific data he presents more understandable to average viewers. Skilling has a special interest in tornadoes, and explains in great detail the atmospheric conditions which cause such drastic storms to occur. Then, in terms we can all appreciate,

June 2, 2019/ Easter 7 /Richard E. Holmer First Reading: Acts 16:16-34/Second Reading: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21  /Gospel: John 17:20-26 The Road Less Traveled Living faithfully as a Christian is not always easy. Jesus never said that it would be. He was quite open about the challenges and the sacrifices that came with following him. A Christian who never experiences any difficulty in leading a life worthy of our calling is either ignoring what Jesus says, or else just not trying to be faithful. Our readings today illustrate some of

May 26, 2019/ Easter 6 /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Acts 16:9-15 /Second Reading: Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 /Gospel: John 14:23-29 Gift of Peace There are two things we know and believe about people: The first is that there’s a way to behave that is good and right. This good behavior can be summarized in a number of ways: The Ten Commandments have stood the test of time. “Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) The Golden Rule – embraced by most religions The First Rule of

May 12, 2019/ Easter 4 /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Acts 9:36-43/Second Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 /Gospel: John 10:22-30 Trust the Shepherd If you were looking for comfort and strength in a time of stress, where in the bible would you look for it? A few years ago a survey was taken from 2000 Christians around the United States that included this question.  25%  – one out of every four – chose the Book of Psalms. And of that group, three out of five specifically named the 23rd Psalm. Even those

May 12, 2019/ Easter 3 /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Acts 9:1-20/Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14 /Gospel: John 21:1-19 Do You Love Jesus? Last Sunday, the focus was on Thomas – and the subject was believing.  Jesus asks Thomas: “Do you believe because you have seen me?”  This week another disciple is in the spotlight – and Jesus asks a different question.  The question Jesus asks Peter is not: “Do you believe in me?” but “Do you love me?”  “Do you love me?” is a question that occurs to many of

April 28, 2019/ Easter /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Acts 5:27-32/Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8 /Gospel: John 20:19-31 Agents of Forgiveness and Peace Each and every year, the reading for the Sunday after Easter is the same. The story we hear actually takes place on the Sunday following Easter. The focus is on one of Jesus’ disciples: Thomas, whom we learn was called “the Twin.” But we have come to know him by another, less flattering name: Doubting Thomas. Poor old Thomas. He gets labeled as a doubter only because he

April 21, 2019/ Easter /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43/Second Reading: I Corinthians 15:19-26 /Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 Unbelievably Good News A couple weeks ago, out of the blue, I got an email with a one sentence inquiry: Hi Pastor Homer, Are you the same Pastor Homer from St. Barnabas in Cary? I replied: Yes, I am Pastor Holmer who served St. Barnabas in Cary. How are you and your family? (I remembered having him in confirmation twenty years ago, but had not seen him since.) He responded: Everyone is

Good Friday / April 19, 2019 / Richard Holmer The Passion according to St. John, John 18:1-19:42 Something Fateful and Awesome This week the eyes of the world have been focused on the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. Through the resources of global communication, people everywhere witnessed the destructive fire consuming that historic church – as it happened. Countless people were deeply moved by the devastation of an edifice that has stood at the heart of Paris for over eight centuries. In a column in the New York Times,

Maundy Thursday / April 18, 2019 / Richard Holmer First Reading: Exodus 12:1-14 / 2nd Reading: I Corinthians 11:23-26 / Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Actions Speak In many and various ways God spoke to his people of old by the prophets. But now in these last days God has spoken to us by his Son. (Hebrews 1:1) So begins the Letter to the Hebrews. Actions speak louder than words. God has had a lot to say through the voices of the prophets. Yet God speaks to us most clearly through

In place of the sermon, the Passion according to St. Luke was presented