Baruch 5:1-9; The Song of Zechariah; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” These words of St. Paul express perfectly what I have felt during these past two months of family leave, and it seems a bit like the Holy Spirit planned for this to be the epistle reading for my first Sunday back. It is so good to be here among you again, and my heart is filled with joy. Thank you for your prayers, for your support, and above all, your love.

To view a video of The Ven. Pat Zifcak’s sermon, click HERE.

Remember and remember not. The psalmist prays as we do that God remember God’s mercy toward us and steadfast love for us and, at the same time, remember not our foolishness, wickedness, sinfulness. Look back and remember what we have done; look ahead in this season and begin again. Love more, do more, pray more, believe more in God’s faithful presence.

Every Advent season, hope is a word that gets thrown around a lot. It is a season of hope. It is a season of longing and expectation, which are really just other ways of saying it is a season in which we focus our attention not on what is, but what might be, when God’s dream for the world is known “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Because we are an Easter people, we are a people of hope. We know, theoretically at least, that how the world is, or how it seems, or what we are going through, these are but Good Fridays on the way to an empty tomb.

Click HERE to view Leah Rugen’s Stewardship Sermon from November 7, 2021.

Despite the awkwardness of talking about money and the tiny bit of stress in getting mailings organized, I’ve grown to love the pledge appeal. It helps me to think about my connection to this community and to my faith. I wanted to speak this year, because the pandemic has been so hard emotionally and has driven me to consider what is most essential about my life at St Paul’s.

Click HERE to view The Rev. Isaac P. Martinez’s sermon from All Saints Sunday, October 31, 2021.

Click HERE to view The Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello’s sermon from October 17, 2021

“Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me on.”

Bartimaeus is a saint for our time.

Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

And followed him on the way.

That’s where it gets tricky. Be careful what you wish for, Bartimaeus.