James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 A sermon for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B The year was 1957, and Americans were suddenly very worried. In the twelve years after the end of WWII, it was clear that the world had two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. A “cold war” was raging, with both nations scrambling for the upper hand. The competition was not limited to the land, however. On October 4 of that year, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in history. Americans grew very concerned. Were we losing the Space … Continue reading Humility and Ambition

A Sermon for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; Wisdom of Solomon 7:26-8:1; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 In our reading from Proverbs today we encounter a character named Wisdom. We might think of the book of Proverbs … Continue reading Lady Wisdom would like a Word

A sermon for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B Isaiah 35:4-7a; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:31-37 There is a classic story told by sociologist and pastor Dr. Tony Campolo. He was attending a conference in Honolulu. His jetlag was keeping him up the first night he was there. At 3 am he ventured out into the dark streets in search of something to eat. He found a tiny coffee shop. He ordered coffee and a donut from Harry, the man behind the counter, and sat down in a booth. Around 3:30, the diner door burst open and group of boisterous … Continue reading Opening More than Just Ears