Do Not Be Afraid Joseph

A short sermon on the person of Joseph and the message of the angels. Christmas is almost here!

Do not be afraid, Joseph - saint benedict's table Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 1:18-25 - English Standard Version

Jesus Is Ready For You!

Enjoy this short podcast that encourages us to keep our focus on Jesus's return during the Advent season. Following that is a short, interesting, and entertaining Advent sermon that shares a complementary message. Below that is the biblical text for the sermon. As always, I appreciate your comments. Enjoy!

I Hate The Mall | episode 3 in our series of Advent podcasts - saint benedict's table Don't Get Ready for Christmas, Get Ready for Jesus - Sarah Condon - The Mockingpulpit Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 24:36-44 - English Standard Version

A Difficult But Necessary Advent Gift

Enjoy this advent message on John The Baptist!

A Difficult But Necessary Advent Gift - For You - The Podcast Page of Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard Bible Gateway passage: Mark 1:1-8 - English Standard Version
Below is a Advent hymn interspersed with poetry by Malcolm Guite that highlights the biblical themes expressed in the song. If you enjoy his poetry, you can find more here.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel | episode 2 in our series of Advent podcasts - saint benedict's table

Words that Will Not Pass Away

It's time for an Advent season sermon. Advent is the beginning of the church calendar/year and is the season we reflect on what it means to be the people of God as we wait for Christ's return. Here is an article that explains the Advent season.

Words that Will Not Pass Away - Luke 21:25-36 - Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora CO, Podcast Bible Gateway passage: Luke 21:25-36 - English Standard Version You might notice that I am playing around with the blog post formating and also using a new podcast streaming website. I'd enjoy your feedback!

Introducing Advent

If you grew up like me, attending an evangelical church, you might not know anything about the season of Advent. Advent begins four weeks before Christmas, which means this year it begins on Sunday, November 27, 2016. Advent is a time of preparation and expectation leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth. It also has themes that look forward with hope and anticipation to Christ's second coming. For churches that follow the liturgical calendar, Christmas season doesn't begin until Christmas Eve and continues for 12 days until Epiphany.

I have enjoyed learning about Advent and other seasons/celebrations of the liturgical church calendar. It reminds me that the Church isn't something we invented yesterday. The seasons and celebrations (feasts) of the Church are rich in theology, worship, and practical application.

This blog post includes links to two podcasts. The first is a short (5 minute) podcast that highlights a song written for Advent season. It is a beautiful song that focuses on the themes of promise, waiting, and hope. There are five more of these short podcasts, and I will post them over the next few weeks. The second link is a fourteen minute Christmas Eve message that does a good job of introducing the season of Advent and is a heart warming story as well. Both podcasts are from St. Benedict's Table in Manitoba, Canada.

Come Lord | Episode 5 in our series of Advent podcasts

A bit of holy mischief | A sermon for Christmas Eve

Over the next four weeks, I will be posting sermons that fit into the Advent theme. Thank you to those of you who are listening. I would appreciate hearing from you in the form of a blog comment or an email if you are enjoying this blog. Have a wonderful Advent season as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus the Christ!