Hebrews 1.1, 2.5-12 “The Long Route” Ordinary 27B/World Communion Sunday 2018 Eastminster United Presbyterian Church Tom James Back when we lived in a little village north of Cincinnati called Glendale, we were too close to the elementary school for our kids to be able to ride the bus. Most days that worked out fine, especially […]
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday! Each time we celebrate communion, we remember that we are part of a global church, gathered from every time and place before God. But, once a year, we lift up that global context for special attention. On Sunday, I’m going to be talking about Christian discipleship as a habit […]
Mark 9.38-50 “Salted with fire” Ordinary 26B/September 30, 2018 Eastminster United Presbyterian Church Tom James This past summer, we spent a couple of weeks on vacation in Florida. It’s not an exotic place for us—I was born there, my parents grew up there, and I have three brothers who have hardly lived anywhere else. So, […]
Salted with fire (Mark 9.38-50) Have you ever noticed those billboards along I-75 (and maybe other places, too) with the provocative religious messages, and the phone number you can call for spiritual help? There’s a series of them that are focused on judgment (even Hell!). These signs are probably an unwanted distraction from the job […]
Mark 9.30-37 “Jesus is for the children” Ordinary 25B/September 23, 2018 Eastminster United Presbyterian Church Tom James I don’t know if you are familiar with the term “G.O.A.T.” I don’t mean the animal with the horns, the scruffy beard, and the undiscriminating palate! “G.O.A.T.” is an acronym: you have to picture it with all caps […]
Mark 8.27-38 “What it means to confess Jesus” Ordinary 24B/September 16, 2018 Eastminster United Presbyterian Church Tom James Today is a special day in our family. After church today (well, actually, after Session!), we are all converging on Ann Arbor to celebrate my oldest daughter Emma’s 18th birthday. I feel like we’ve accomplished something. I […]
Mark 7.24-37 “The reach of Jesus” Ordinary 23B/September 9, 2018 Eastminster Presbyterian Church Tom James A few years ago, we were lucky enough to be able to have our kitchen remodeled. Part of the remodel was putting in new cabinets, and our contractor talked us into having the upper cabinets go all the way to […]
Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23 “The law of life” Ordinary 22B/September 2, 2018 Eastminster Presbyterian Church Tom James I learned a little bit of etiquette while I was growing up, but we were not an especially formal family. My parents were satisfied if I didn’t put my elbows on the table, didn’t slouch too much, and […]
