February 17, 2019/ Epiphany 6 /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Jeremiah 17:5-10 /Second Reading: I Corinthians 15:12-20 /Gospel: Luke 6:17-26 Blessed What does it mean to be blessed?  These days a lot of people talk about being blessed, yet current notions of what it is to be blessed often have little in common with what we find in the bible.  Actor Michael Douglas said: “Of course I feel blessed that I have a wife that is 25 years younger (than I).  Ashton Kutcher, another Hollywood star, stated: “Modeling is the

February 3, 2019/ Epiphany 4 /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Jeremiah 1:4-10 /Second Reading: I Corinthians 13:1-13 /Gospel: Luke 4:21-30 Love or Nothing There are many things a person needs to learn in life.  Before you can run you need to learn how to walk, and before you can walk, you need to learn to crawl.  You need to learn how to form sounds and then words, and then whole sentences.  You need to learn how to tie your own shoes.  You need to learn how to read and write,

Link to visiting Pastor Jeff Koth’s Sermon on Luke 4:16-30

January 20, 2019/ Epiphany 2 /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Isaiah 62:1-5/Second Reading: I Corinthians 12:1-11/Gospel: John 2:1-11 Do Whatever He Tells You The first miracle recorded in John’s gospel takes place in the village of Cana, at a wedding.  At most weddings the bride and groom are the focus of attention – but we know nothing about the newlyweds in this story.  However, we are told that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was present at the wedding.  And it is Mary who speaks what for me is the most

January 13, 2019/Baptism of Our Lord/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7/Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17/Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Fear Not It seems the Lord often finds it necessary to remind people not to be afraid.  In the familiar cycle of stories in Advent and Christmas, whenever an angel of the Lord appears, the first words spoken are, “Be not afraid.” When Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the temple, he is “terrified”, “overwhelmed with fear.”  Gabriel says, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah.” When Gabriel shows up at Mary’s house, she is

January 6, 2019/Epiphany/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Isaiah 60:60:1-6 /Second Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12/Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 Rise and Shine As most of you are aware, last fall a group from St. James took a trip to the Holy Land.  It takes a couple long flights to get there, crammed into those tight rows in coach – but it’s well worth the effort.  While there we saw many fascinating places, met many interesting people and shared a number of memorable experiences. For me, two highlights stand out; two moments are etched in

December 24, 2018/ Christmas Eve /Richard Holmer First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7/ Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14 / Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 Love Story Christmas is a love story.  Of course the whole gospel is the greatest love story ever told.  That gospel story begins in unique and unforgettable fashion.  In all twenty verses that comprise Luke’s wondrous telling of how Jesus came to be born in a stable, the word “LOVE” does not appear even once.  Yet Luke’s narrative is actually full of love.  We witness the faithful love of Joseph for

December 25, 2018/ Christmas Day /Richard Holmer First Reading: Isaiah 57:7-10 / Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-20 / Gospel: John 1:1-14 The True Light In these shortest days of the year, we long for the light.  Darkness is harder to take than the cold – at least one can bundle up against the cold.  There’s no way to turn night into day.  And so we have lights in this season – lots of lights.  Lights on our houses and landscaping – some very elaborate displays.  Lights on our Christmas trees.  There

December 23, 2018/ Advent 4/Richard Holmer First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a / Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 / Gospel: Luke 1:39-55 Blessed Our son Eric recently sent us a video of a performance that included their son, William.  William turns three this week, and he was singing along with his class in their church’s preschool Christmas program. Well, he was singing some of the time – and looking around some of the time – and trying to remember the gestures that went along with each song.  At times he was about half

December 9, 2018/Advent 2/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Malachi 3:1-4 /Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11/Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 To See Salvation Recently Susan has been asking me for further insight into understanding Advent.  Beyond being a season of the church year that we faithfully observe at this time, she wants to have a better grasp of its meaning, its purpose; what is it about Advent that really matters, that can make a difference in our lives?  Her inquiries have caused me to take a fresh look at this season, and to ponder