Rev. Dr. Helen Svoboda-Barber “...unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life will lose it...” John 12:24b-25 This week, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the idea of a grain of … Continue reading A Grain of Wheat, Split Open | March 21, 2021
Coming Back Together | March 14, 2021
by the Rev. James B. Craven III In the name of God – Father Son & Holy Spirit. Amen. I miss all of you. I am tired of an entire year without church, at least without church as we knew it and will again. I worry I will be unable to recognize some of … Continue reading Coming Back Together | March 14, 2021
Jesus Cleansing the Temple | March 7, 2021
By Rev. Laura Thornton Jesus does not just lash out at corruption, he pushes against the larger system of religious structure in the temple. He brings the whole thing to a stand still “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”
The Power of Names | February 28, 2021
by the Rev. Dr. Helen Svoboda-Barber May only God’s Word be spoken and only God’s Word be heard. Both today’s Old Testament reading and our Gospel have name changes in them. So today, let’s talk about the power of names. In Genesis 17, God talks to Abram for the fifth time in scripture, and in … Continue reading The Power of Names | February 28, 2021
Wild Beasts and Angels | February 21, 2021
by Rev. Susan Bennett The first Sunday in Lent is always the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Always. Matthew and Luke go into poetic detail about the powers and the riches and the status that Satan dangles before Jesus in his attempt to derail Jesus’ ministry before it gets started. But not Mark. In … Continue reading Wild Beasts and Angels | February 21, 2021
Down From the Mountaintop | February 14, 2021
by Dr. Sam Laurent, Campus Minister for the Episcopal Center at Duke If I’m being honest—and I think that’s the general expectation here—the transfiguration always puzzles me. Jesus takes some disciples up on top of a mountain, and he begins to glow a dazzling white. Elijah and Moses appear next to him. From a cloud, … Continue reading Down From the Mountaintop | February 14, 2021
What is mine? What is for now? | February 7, 2021
by Rev. Dr. Helen Svoboda-Barber Jesus has been having a busy day this first day of his ministry in Mark’s gospel. It began with teaching in the synagogue. Everyone was amazed with his authority as he taught. Then, right there inside the sanctuary, he removed an unclean spirit from a man. And in today’s reading, … Continue reading What is mine? What is for now? | February 7, 2021
Fighting Evil | January 31, 2021
by the Rev. Dr. Helen Svoboda-Barber Today’s gospel tells the story of the first act of ministry Jesus does in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus was baptized, he spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan, he gathered a few disciples, and then he goes into the synagogue to teach. While Jesus was … Continue reading Fighting Evil | January 31, 2021
Samuel’s Call and Transformation | Jan. 17, 2021
By Laura Thornton, Through Samuel's story, we see transformation and understand there is work to do before we reach a new beginning.
A Christmas Day Sermon | December 25, 2020
by the Rev. James B. Craven III More than 300,000 deaths so far in this country. More deaths every day than at Pearl Harbor or 9/11. A country more polarized or divided than at any time since the Civil War more than 150 years ago. Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas without the family. Baseball and … Continue reading A Christmas Day Sermon | December 25, 2020
