2017 Sermons
Below are the sermons from 2017. Each audio file begins by listing the scripture readings from which the sermon was drawn, but if you're ever curious, you can view the assigned readings for any given date at LectionaryPage.net.
DECEMBER 31, 2017 (Christmas 1) by Fr. Aaron Burt on John 1:1-18
John as a bridge to Ephiphany from Christmas. Jesus is present, unchanging, constant - he is the Word, not an abstract principle, but a person.
DECEMBER 24, 2017 (Christmas Eve & Advent 4) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Luke 2:1-20 (The Nativity)
God stoops low, not just by his standards by even by ours. But there's more...
DECEMBER 17, 2017 (Advent 3) by Fr. Aaron Burt on John 1:6-8, 19-28 (John the Baptist)
Who is John the Baptist? Who is he not? And... aren't these secondary questions?
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UNAVAILABLE: December 10, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
DECEMBER 3, 2017 (Advent 1) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Mark 13:24-37
Jesus commands us to STAY AWAKE, and this ties in with six mini lessons he teaches in this passage.
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UNAVAILABLE: November 26, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
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UNAVAILABLE: November 19, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
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UNAVAILABLE: November 12, 2017
(There is no sermon audio, as this was our Annual Parish Meeting.)
NOVEMBER 5, 2017 (All Saints) by Fr. Aaron Burt on All Saints Feast Day
Background on the feast day, what does it mean to be a saint, and how do we respond to them?
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UNAVAILABLE: October 29, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
OCTOBER 22, 2017 (Proper 24) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew 22:15-22 (Paying taxes to Caesar)
Why does Jesus walk TOWARD THEIR TRAP? Also, lessons from the world's most infamously AWFUL HOTEL.
OCTOBER 15, 2017 (Proper 23) by Fr. Bruce Waltke on Exodus 32:1-14 (Moses and the golden calf)
Reconciling God's wrath - What do we make of Moses interceding with God... against God?
OCTOBER 8, 2017 (Proper 22) by by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew 21:33-46 (Parable of the wicked tenant)
Jesus twists the familiar to stir the Pharisees to conviction. (Unexpected props to Sandra Boynton.)
OCTOBER 1, 2017 (Proper 21) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew 21:23-32 (Parable of the two sons)
Flannery O'Connor's Revelation on hypocrisy, and by what authority Jesus speaks
SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 (Proper 20) by Dcn. Jen Roach on church prayer
What the Book of Common Prayer teaches us about how to pray in tension with one another
SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 (Proper 19) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Romans 14:1-12 (Paul on judgement)
How to judge without being judgemental: Paul's guide to navigating The Gray Zone
SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 (Proper 18) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew 18:15-20 (Jesus on confrontation)
Christian confrontation: A how-to guide by Jesus himself (see following Sunday Vol 2 from Paul)
SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 (Proper 17) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Exodus 3:1-15 (Moses at the burning bush)
Three "mistakes" God gladly makes--both in his introduction to Moses and in his interactions with us
AUGUST 27, 2017 (Proper 16) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew 16:13-20 (Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ)
“You are the Christ” and “You are Peter”: God’s use of names and what it says about him (and us).
UNAVAILABLE: August 20, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
AUGUST 13, 2017 (Proper 14) by Dcn. Jen Roach on Matthew 14:22-33 (Peter walking on water)
Life & art imitate each other in this sermon: Living in the Master's way vs. trying to be the master
UNAVAILABLE: August 6, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
JULY 30, 2017 (Proper 12) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Five Kingdom Parables from Jesus
Jesus' parables are the crosswords of the gospels.Try these five Kingdom parables on for size.
UNAVAILABLE: July 23, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
JULY 16, 2017 (Proper 10) by Dcn. Jeremiah on Pilgrimage per Isaiah 55
Pilgrimage as circular rather than linear, in the example of Jesus and the imagery of Isaiah 55
JULY 9, 2017 (Proper 9) by Fr. Aaron Burt on Intimacy (...of sorts!)
What makes Jesus cry woe? And what is Paul's prerequisite for arriving at the solution of Jesus?
JULY 2, 2017 (Proper 8) by Fr. Aaron Burt on The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)
When God calls for sacrifice: Lessons from Abraham & Isaac (vs. Muhammad). Plus: Provincial Assembly
UNAVAILABLE: June 25, 2017
(With regrets, this sermon is not available, due to a recording problem.)
JUNE 18, 2017 by Dcn. Jeremiah Webster on Romans 5:1-8
The vocabulary of Paul, the question of "Christianese," and the weight of our words.
JUNE 11, 2017 (Trinity Sunday) by Fr. Aaron Burt on the triune nature of God
In an age of "frictionless design" the Trinity bids us lean into the heat of real relationship.
JUNE 4, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on the nature of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39 & Acts 2:1-21)
Scripture's metaphors for the Holy Spirit--and how these help us see & welcome his work in our lives
MAY 21, 2017 by Dcn. Jen Roach on Jesus and the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-21)
Hearing Jesus’ commands as “you get to” and (thanks to the Holy Spirit) “you’re able to.”
UNVAVAILABLE: May 14, 2017
We celebrated our tradition of "Second Breakfast" and had an abbreviated liturgy.
MAY 7, 2017 by Bp. Ken Ross on God as our Shepherd (Psalm 23)
You might be surprised to find new depths to this familiar psalm!
APRIL 30, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on Jesus’ road to Emmaus appearance (Luke 24:13-35)
Husband & wife arguing on a hot, 3-5 hour road trip... when along comes a mysterious hitchhiker.
UNAVAILABE: April 23, 2017
We celebrated our tradition of "Second Breakfast" and had an abbreviated liturgy.
APRIL 16, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew's account of the resurrection
Easter Sunday! Jesus triumphs! His followers--not so much. How does Jesus respond to them--and us?
APRIL 9, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on "Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday"
Palm Sunday: from "Hosanna" to "Crucify." Challenges of the cross and how we tend to skirt it.
APRIL 2, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on John 3 & 11 (Nicodemus and the raising of Lazarus)
Feynman on physics vs Nicodemus on religion: Principles for mtg Christ, e.g., Martha, Mary, Lazarus.
MARCH 26, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on John 9 (the healing of a man born blind)
Blind man meets Jesus... who sends him away still blind, mud on his face? (Maybe you relate?)
MARCH 19, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt. "LEGALISM IS LICENSE" SERMON SERIES on Jesus' six antitheses in Matthew 5:21-48
Five weeks hiking the slope of JESUS' TEACHING ON LAW. What if the final SUMMIT is beyond our reach?
MARCH 12, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt. "LEGALISM IS LICENSE" SERMON SERIES on Jesus' six antitheses in Matthew 5:21-48
Jesus turns EYE FOR AN EYE into TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. How shall we interpret this?
MARCH 5, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt. "LEGALISM IS LICENSE" SERMON SERIES on Jesus' six antitheses in Matthew 5:21-48
Jesus on OATHS: Irrelevant? Nope. It's the timeless issue of MANIPULATING WORDS to MANIPULATE PEOPLE
FEBRUARY 26, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt. "LEGALISM IS LICENSE" SERMON SERIES on Jesus' six antitheses in Matthew 5:21-48
What's COMFORTABLE LUST? Jesus tackles a vice as popular to indulge as it is unpopular to discuss.
FEBRUARY 19, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt. "LEGALISM IS LICENSE" SERMON SERIES on Jesus' six antitheses in Matthew 5:21-48
Jesus' take on anger may surprise you. And hopefully draw you toward change. Don't pass this one up.
FEBRUARY 12, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Psalm 119:1-8.
The call to "Love your neighbor" in an age of "Am I my brother's keeper?"
FEBRUARY 5, 2017 by Fr. Robert Dalgleish on 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20.
Searching the mystery and wisdom of God with our whole being.
JANUARY 29, 2017 by Fr. Bruce Waltke on Micah 6:1-8.
What does it mean to do JUSTICE, love KINDNESS, and walk HUMBLY with our God?
JANUARY 22, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on Isaiah 9:1-4 and Matthew 4:12-23.
When Jesus calls a disciple: RESILIENCY rooted in REPENTANCE; following him in an age of NARCISSISM.
JANUARY 15, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on Isaiah 49:1-7.
An entry from the journal of Jesus (in a way): Anguish and hope in the midst of chaos and futility.
JANUARY 8, 2017 by Fr. Aaron Burt on Matthew 2.
The MAGI: Who they were (& WEREN'T). What's it mean to be "in the Season of Epiphany" in our lives?
JANUARY 1, 2017 by Dcn. Jeremiah Webster on Luke 15.11-32.
The Prodigal Son revisited, and the case of the Elder Brother