"Unity and Grace"

Proper 13.B.24
Ephesians 4:1-16
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul makes a case for unity. He writes: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

"Beyond Sharing"

Proper 12.B.24
John 6:1-21
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

The story of the “Feeding of the Five Thousand” is one of the best known and well loved miracles found in the Bible—and with good reason. It is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. In fact, the symbol of bread and fish is an ancient one, dating back to the earliest days of Christianity—as a symbol both of the Eucharist, and a reminder of this particular miracle—that Jesus took five barley loaves and two fish and fed five thousand hungry people.

"Working all things for good"

5 Easter.B.24
John 15:1-8
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” I don’t know about you, but when I come across a passage such as this from the Gospel of John, speaking of pruning, I become nervous.

"The Importance of a Good Shepherd"

4 Easter.B.24
John 10:11-18
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Imagine that it is the early reaches of dawn and you get up to get a drink of water or go to the bathroom and look out your window and there, in your yard, and in the street, and in your neighbor’s yards, is a massive flock of sheep. Like, 1,300 sheep. And, let’s face it, the sheep—they’re not particularly quiet. They are noisy, trampling flowerbeds and running around—being a general nuisance.

"An Easter Cliffhanger"

The Day of Resurrection.B.24
Mark 16:1-8
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

The Easter story is not easy to digest. If we’re honest, it is both appalling and astonishing. Just a few days ago, we witnessed the staggering betrayal of Jesus by Judas, one of his closest followers, the triple denial by his friend Peter, the gruesome crucifixion and the brutal end to the earthly life of our Savior.

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