Author Archives: reallifepastor

Last week, we heard briefly about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  After calling some disciples, Jesus travels around Galilee, teaching in synagogues, “proclaiming the good news of the kindom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.”  It’s … Continue reading →

  Each week, the lectionary provides four Scripture texts for worship.  I’ve heard that in the Episcopal Church, priests are able to touch on all four texts in sermons that last only 10 minutes.  It’s, like, a miracle! I’m going … Continue reading →

So, some things happened in Washington this week.  The last time a president was impeached (in 1998), I sat riveted to the TV.  This time, I read Thursday morning’s paper, saw the news and said, “Oh.  That was yesterday.” The … Continue reading →

‘Tis the season!’  But ‘tis the season for what?  According to any retail outlet, since about mid-October it’s been the Christmas season, the season to buy, buy, buy!  Does it sometimes feel as if the retailers get the better end … Continue reading →

Luke is the original Broadway Gospel.  Every time something big happens, the story’s characters break into song.  When the pregnant Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, she breaks into song.  (#119) “My soul gives glory to my God…” When angels appear to shepherds … Continue reading →

  Five of us went to prison last Sunday evening.  (Beaver, Peggy, Mary, Tisa) Thankfully, they let us back out.  While we were there, we shared in worship with close to 100 women. Here’s the thing about worship at the … Continue reading →

    Some of the people gathered that morning in the footprint of the old temple remembered the former temple’s glory…the tall pillars, the broad areas for prayer and study, the entrance to the Holy of Holies, where God once … Continue reading →

    Remember what we did in worship the first Sunday in January?  It was Epiphany, the day we tell the story of magi following a star to Bethlehem and finding a babe lying in a manger.  On that day, … Continue reading →

Portrait of Doug   I did not know him, the man himself. But I have felt his presence— in the tunes in the welcome in the far-off looks and sighs of those who knew him—   sighs of sorrow, looks … Continue reading →

Jesus told the disciples a parable on the necessity of praying always and not losing heart. Anybody here losing heart?  Easy to do these days, isn’t it?  Climate change, war, abhorrent treatment of immigrants, corruption…oh, yes.  These days, it’s easy … Continue reading →