A few years back there was a couple who were planning to get married. They decided to hold their wedding in Santa Barbara. I don’t know how many of you have been there, but it’s a beautiful place for a beautiful, fairly local, wedding escape. Along West Cabrillo Boulevard you will find Harbor View Inn, […]
Last Sunday we commemorated the Feast of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and ever since then I have found myself immersed in Reverend King’s writing. He was quite a moving preacher, gifted in ways I could only aspire. Upon reflecting on today’s lessons– particularly the Epistle and Gospel readings — one quote of […]
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose feast we celebrate today, was an American Baptist minister who led the struggle against racial discrimination in the 60s. He was a provocative preacher, and passionately advocated the principle of non-violent protest, affirming that one’s opponents should be tackled with compassion rather than aggression. He was awarded […]
Merry Christmas! For those of you visiting us for the first time or the first time in a while, I would like to extend an invitation to you to join us on Sundays. We worship in this space every Sunday morning at 8am and 10:15am. I just wanted to extend the welcome, since I see […]
I want to talk to you about waiting. Hold on and wait just a minute (said turning around as if walking away). This topic of waiting made me think of a skit by Jerry Seinfeld—how many of you have watched his comedy skits? He had a skit on waiting rooms and said: “Waiting room. I […]
Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a season of waiting. It is a season of preparation. Probably most importantly, it is a season of making room for Christ. As there was no room in the inn and thus our Lord was born in a manger, so too in our lives things become […]
Have you ever been to an event where you were in a large crowd and you couldn’t quite see the action, the reason for which so many people have gathered. In fact, you probably have and I was that person right in front of you. I remember as a child finding myself frequently in that […]
Just before he dismissed them to go to Eucharist a Sunday school teacher asked the children, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” Young Annie replied, “Because people are sleeping” That joke has absolutely nothing to do with my sermon, but I wanted to make sure you all were fully with me. […]
[FR. JUSTIN] In the Baptismal Rite the priest prays, “We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received […]
I’d like to entitle today’s sermon: you are called to be righteous, not self-righteous. Today’s Gospel lesson reminding me of this story I was emailed some time ago: Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at […]