Ascension Written Sermons

Stories on Story-Telling Sunday Rob Gieselmann, Pent. 7A, June 25, 2017 One summer during seminary, I spent a month in Uganda, with my friend, Augustine Salimo. Augustine was an archdeacon, and in charge of 40 churches. His position accorded him great respect among the people – a respect that gave him authority – which he exercised benignly, much like the lord of a manor might. His glance alone would instruct a person to do this – or a nod of his head, to do that. The same was true of his wife, Zelda. And among those under their collective authority was a household servant girl – this girl was about fifteen years old. I can’t recall her name, but I do recall that she had a child of her own, a little boy – a child with a child, this girl was essentially a house-slave. For where else could she go to support herself and her boy? *Hagar was also a servant-girl, a house-slave. Egyptian, and perhaps you see the irony. Abraham, the father...

The Reverend Christopher Hogin Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves, Witty as Rabbits Matthew 9:35-10 The Episcopal Church of the Ascension June 18, 2017             People often ask what’s my favorite book? Well, there is book one everyone in the human race should read. It’s called Watership Down , by Richard Adams. In this novel, written for children, Watership Down makes bold socio-political and theological statements.   Ironically, the book is not even about humans, it’s about rabbits.             The story begins in a peaceful warren called Sandelford. One day, a timid rabbit called Fivel has a vision. He sees a disaster befalling the community. He tells the elders that the entire warren must vacate or face destruction. The elders ignore him to their ultimate detriment. Undaunted, a small group of rabbits leave the warren striking out on their own to f...

God, the Environmentalist Supreme Rob Gieselmann, Trinity Sunday 2017 A 1. Nicene Creed I’m not a big fan of the Nicene Creed . Choreographically, during the service, it feels clunky and out of place.  And - I may be wrong, here - but I’m guessing that all our minds have drifted at one time or another during the Creed. Obviously, the Creed is intended to say something significant – as a theological statement of the Trinity – that concept of God as equally one and three persons.  Further, the very first word of the Creed, the Latin word, Credo, “I believe” - means far more than mental acquiescence – like you agree with the concept of God.  Its holistic meaning is: I give myself to … God the Father Almighty –  So you see - the intent of the Creed is rock solid .  As is its location in the liturgy itself.  It follows the proclamation of the Gospel –  first thing – as your response  to hearing of the Word of God –  You hear ...