"A Heavenly Tree"

3 Lent.C.22
Luke 13:1-9
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

God gives good gifts; fig trees are among them. In ancient Egypt, pharaohs believed that when they died their souls would encounter a Ficus sycomorus fig tree at the edge of the desert, and that the goddess Hathor would emerge from the foliage to welcome them to heaven. Fig trees and heaven—it’s not too much of a stretch. In fact, the fig tree is the only tree mentioned by name in the Garden of Eden.

"The Sheltering Wings of God"

2 Lent.C.22
Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid; and though war should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him.” It’s difficult to hear these words from Psalm 27 this morning, and fail to think of the people of Ukraine fighting to protect their democracy and homeland from a Russian invasion.

"Pieces of a Larger Whole"

Last Epiphany.C.22 (with parts of 07)
Luke 9:28-36
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Italy. While there, my family and I visited the town of Ravenna, famous for its mosaics—a form of art where small pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile or glass are fitted together to make a picture or design. The place we were staying was right across the street from the Basilica of San Appolinare in Classe which contains some brilliant pieces of this form of art, one of which you can see on the back of today’s program.

"A Biblical Prognostication of 2023"

7 Epiphany C.22 (Annual Meeting)
Luke 6:27-38
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Each year on the date of our Annual Meeting, instead of a regular sermon, I deliver my address to our congregation. As I see it, my task isn’t to review the past year (because you can read all about that in the Annual Report). My goal is to look ahead. Think of this as a bit of biblical prognostication for the coming year (because, after all, I’m a preacher and I can’t leave the Gospel behind).

"The Common Good"

2 Epiphany.C.21
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

In today’s epistle St. Paul writes: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

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