Sermon, 12/12/21: Hollywood outdoes Luke the Physician

3 Advent Canticle 9: Isaiah 12:2–6; Zephaniah 3:14–20; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:7–18 As the people were filled with expectation… (Luke 3:15) Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! (Zephaniah 3:14f.) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your gentleness be …

Christmas Invitation, 2021

Dear Members and Friends, This greeting is both an invitation and a reminder. The mercantile world has already weeks ago reminded us of the approaching celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah. Indeed, it is actually wonderful to receive free publicity regarding the birth of Christ, even if this spigot of publicity …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 12/12/21

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, In addition to sharing with you my weekly mediation/homily, today I post to you two additional items: an announcement, in its corrected form, of our Christmas Eve celebration of the Birth of Christ, and an update of observances beyond Christmas Eve/Day itself. Several of you, in person as …

Sermon, 12/5/21: Filtering out the Background Noise

2 AdventBaruch 5.1-9; Canticle 16: Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1.3-1 1; Luke 3.1-6 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord. (Luke 3:4b) How often have you heard from us preachers: ‘Advent is a time for spiritual reflection, as we prepare to receive Christ as a little child’? However, what …