Sundays at St. James

Year A, Easter 7 - Guest Speaker Ellen Hogbin

INTRODUCTION P: Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia! Today is the Seventh Sunday of Eastertide and we continue our season of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus which leads to resurrection life for all those who follow him. Today we encounter the gift of the Spirit of Truth who leads us into that resurrection life.

Year A, Easter 6

Main point: We can trust that God will lead us into all truth by his Spirit. INTRODUCTION P: Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia! Today is the Sixth Sunday of Eastertide and we continue our season of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus which leads to resurrection life for all those who follow him. Today we encounter the gift of the Spirit of Truth who leads us into that resurrection life. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13 The Spirit of Truth  Today I wish to introduce you to the Spirit of Truth. It is unlikely this is your first introduction. Perhaps this introduction is more of a formal introduction after occasional familiarity.  You know what it's like when you  * live in the same neighborhood as someone but you don't know their name,  * or you recognize someone by name because they have a reputation in your town or neighborhood,  * or you see the same faces of other parents because your kids are in the same class at school … today might be your first formal introduction. So allow me to introduce you to the Spirit of Truth.

Year A, Easter 5

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Main point: Participation in truth and life is participation in Jesus. That goes for everyone. INTRODUCTION P: Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia! Today is the Fifth Sunday of Eastertide and we continue our season of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus which leads to resurrection life for all those who follow him. This is the day when we reflect on Jesus in a dialogue with his disciples as he tried to explain to them about that very life. The life that he is. In his being.

Year A, Easter 4

Main point: Jesus is the protector of the sheep and giver of abundant life. INTRODUCTION P: Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia! Today is the Fourth Sunday of Eastertide and we continue our season of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, but in a little bit of a different way. This is the day when we reflect on Jesus being the Good Shepherd.  As we begin, notice verse 6 of our gospel reading. It says…Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. I think the people who were listening to Jesus give this teaching probably thought something like this.. “Jesus, I can tell you’re really excited about what you’re saying. And I’m sure what you’re saying is really important, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.” How many times do you all look at me and say… Bryce, I can tell you’re really excited about what your’re saying… Suffice it to say that there is a deeper connection between the first paragraph of our text, Jesus being the Good Shepherd, and our Easter season regarding the Harrowing of Hell that I will not be touching on this morning. I tried to include it at the Saturday service last night and received enough blank stares that I got the point. If that bit was lost on you, take heart. It was also lost on the original hearers.

Year A, Easter 3

“Were not our hearts burning within us” Main point: We encounter the risen Christ where he said he would be -in the breaking of bread. INTRODUCTION Today we encounter the risen Christ. I wonder if we might begin where we left off last week - in various degrees of belief and understanding of this marvelous miracle of life over death and light over darkness. We closed the sermon last week with a gentle affirmation of the resurrection. I invite you to put your hand on your heart…. P: Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia! Today is the third Sunday of Eastertide and we continue our season of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. With Mary Magdenlen from two weeks ago and Thomas last week, today we run smack dab into another encounter with the risen Christ. This time with two travelers on the road to Emmaus.