Category Archives: Sermons

Luke 4: 1-13 First Sunday in Lent C, February 14, 2016 Every day we read yet another story about how a politician, a sports celebrity, a business executive or a pastor was caught embezzling, lying, or philandering and fell headlong … Continue reading →

1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 Epiphany 5C, February 7, 2016 This morning, on this communion Sunday, I want to give you six guidelines for making use of this Great Supper that Christ has given us; six prepositions, six great looks that … Continue reading →

Psalm 95; John 4: 21-24 When the Church adopted Sunday as the Sabbath, the day of worship, it was because the resurrection happened on a Sunday and every Sunday thereafter was a “little Easter.” We derive our word worship from … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Luke 10: 25-28 Third Sunday after Epiphany January 24, 2016 Two years ago my younger brother David was diagnosed with a disease called “Myelodysplastic syndrome.” It is a blood and bone marrow disorder which is essentially pre-leukemia. … Continue reading →

John 2: 1-11 Norman B. Bendroth January 17, 2016/ Second Sunday after Epiphany It was at a wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle. It was at a wedding when Jesus gave the first sign of who he was and … Continue reading →

Christmas Eve 2015 Episcopal priest, author and speaker Martin Smith tells a story about how he was at some out of the way chapel in England. He was startled by a simple limestone statue there of the Madonna and Child. … Continue reading →

Luke 3: 1-6 Advent 2C 2015 All over the world, Christians are celebrating Advent, the season of preparation for the birth of Christ. And all over Christendom, the first three Sundays are occupied with readings about John the Baptist. Here … Continue reading →

Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C December 20, 2015 On April 11, 2009 a stout, frumpy woman with unruly teeth and unkempt hair walked out on the stage as a contestant for the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. She wore … Continue reading →

1 Thessalonians 5: 12-24 Norman B. Bendroth Thanksgiving Sunday 2015 12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly … Continue reading →

Roman 7: 15-20 and Selected Scripture Father’s Day 2015 When our kids were younger, we had a cartoon from the New Yorker called “Bad Mom Cards” attached to our refrigerator door. The artist, Roz Chast, obviously a mom, captured the … Continue reading →