Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Jan 12, 2020 |

Jesus' Baptism, Our Response

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

Jesus' Baptism, Our Response

John's baptism of Jesus reminds us again of our own place in God's community, and the promises we make to carry out God's work in the world.

The Baptism of Our Lord
The Scripture references are Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29:1-6,10-11, and Acts 10:34-43. The Gospel reference is Matthew3:13-17.

Jan 05, 2020 |

Epiphany: The Real Meaning of God's Love

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

Epiphany: The Real Meaning of God's Love

Matthew tells us of an inclusive God who came to earth for all people.

The Epiphany
The Scripture references are Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7,10-14, and Ephesians 3:1-12. The Gospel reference is Matthew 2:1-12.

Dec 29, 2019 |

The Light of Christ

| The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers

The Light of Christ

While Luke and Matthew give different stories of Jesus’ birth, John’s gospel stresses the meaning of His birth over the how and when.

The First Sunday after Christmas
The Scripture references are Isaiah 61:10-62:3, and Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7. The Gospel reference is John 1:1-18.

Dec 24, 2019 |

Shepherds in the field

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

Shepherds in the field

The shepherds risked everything to go to the stable and see the baby Jesus.

Christmas Eve
The Scripture references are Isaiah 9:2-7, and Titus 2:11-14. The Gospel reference is Luke 2:1-20.

Dec 22, 2019 |

Joseph said “Yes” to God

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

Joseph said “Yes” to God

Joseph had the courage to listen to his heart and follow God's invitation to stay with Mary.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Scripture references are Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7,16-18, and Romans 1:1-7. The Gospel reference is Matthew 1:18-25.

Dec 15, 2019 |

Doubt

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

Doubt

John the Baptist, like all of us, has doubts. How do we live with doubt?

The Third Sunday of Advent
The Scripture references are Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:4-9, and James 5:7-10. the Gospel reference is Matthew 11:2-11.

Dec 08, 2019 |

The Prophet

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

The Prophet

We don't often want to hear what prophets have to say, but we need them in our world and in our lives.

The Second Sunday of Advent
The Scripture references are Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7.18-19, and Romans 15:4-13. The Gospwl reference is Matthew 3:1-12.

Dec 01, 2019 |

Happy New Year! Happy Advent!

| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson

Happy New Year! Happy Advent!

We greet the New Year in the Church, not with loud trumpets and voices, but with quiet contemplation as we await the birth of the Christ Child.

The First Sunday of Advent

The Scripture references are Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, and Romans 13:11-14. The Gospel reference is Matthew 24:36-44.

Nov 24, 2019 |

A Kingdom Like No Other

| The Rev. William Nesbit

A Kingdom Like No Other

When Charles I of England was about to be executed by his subjects, he modeled himself after his Lord and forgave those responsible for his death. As we end another Year in the Church calendar let us all celebrate the lordship of Christ in our own lives, remembering that we too are one year closer to His return, and as in Charles' words that we will one day exchange our corruptible crowns for those that are incorruptible.

Christ the King
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 23:1-6, Canticle 16 (The Song of Zechariah), and Colossians 1:11-20. The Gospel reference is Luke 23:33-43.

Nov 17, 2019 |

The Apocalypse is Coming!

| The Rev. William Nesbit

The Apocalypse is Coming!

Jesus reminds his followers that there is only so much time. The world around us is turning dark, and we have the light. It is about time we got shining!

The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.
The Scripture references are Isaiah 65:17-25, Canticle 9, and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. The Gospel reference is Luke 21:5-19.

Nov 10, 2019 |

Sometimes You Get to Dance With Jesus..

| The Rev. William Nesbit

Sometimes You Get to Dance With Jesus..

It's time for the Church to start acting like the Church. We may want to dance with Jesus, but there is work to do and it's going to be hard. The world needs to be reminded that the hard work of love is the way to move forward. And we need to be showing them the way.

The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost.
The Scripture references are Haggai 1:15b-2:9, Psalm 145:1-5,18-22, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17. The Gospel reference is Luke 20:27-38.

Nov 03, 2019 |

For All the Saints

| The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers

For All the Saints

The Beatitudes are not just suggestions for a happy life, but are fully descriptive of God's mind and the heart of Jesus. On All Saints' Day, let us remember those who modeled their lives on these words, served God, and loved their neighbor as they lived their faith.

All Saints' Sunday The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Daniel 7:1-3,15-18, Psalm 149:1-6,8-9, and Ephesians 1:11-23. The Gospel reference is Luke 6:20-31.

Oct 27, 2019 |

A Pharisee and a Tax-Collector Walk Into the Temple to Pray...

| The Rev. William Nesbit

A Pharisee and a Tax-Collector Walk Into the Temple to Pray...

Sounds a bit like the beginning of a joke doesn't it? It turns out that the joke is on us! Jesus uses a joke to teach his followers the importance of relying on God, and we fall for it as well... every time!

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 63:1,6-14, and 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18. The Gospel reference is Luke 18:9-14.

Oct 20, 2019 |

Faith and Money

| The Rev. William Nesbit

Faith and Money

What does it mean to have God's law of love written on our hearts? How does the money we earn, and spend, and give reflect our faith? Hard questions with even harder answers.

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104, and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. The Gospel reference is Luke 18:1-8.

Oct 13, 2019 |

Ten Lepers Healed. One Made Well.

| The Rev. William Nesbit

Ten Lepers Healed. One Made Well.

This week we wrestle with the vagaries of Grace & Faith, and Healing & Wellness.

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 29:1,4-7, Psalm 66:1-11, and 2 Timothy 2:8-15. The Gospel reference is Luke 17:11-19.

Oct 06, 2019 |

Genuine Faith

| The Very Reverend Thomas Rosa

Genuine Faith

It is not how much greater or stronger one's faith is that matters, but how that faith is used rightly. God's gift of grace will be sufficient for that faith to accomplish what must be done.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137, and 2 Timothy 1:1-14. The Gospel reference is Luke 17:5-10.

Sep 29, 2019 |

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

| Dawn DiVenti

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

Why do we never accept the signs of God's love that surround us every minute of our lives, but cry out for a sign when we are in pain or afraid? Let us not be like the rich man that ignored the beggar outside his gate and then cried out from his hellish torment, but instead imitate St Francis and share the love and good news that Jesus brought to all of us.

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15, Psalm 91:1-6,14-16, and 1 Timothy 6:6-19. The Gospel reference is Luke 16:19-31.

Sep 22, 2019 |

You Cannot Serve God and Wealth

| The Rev. William Nesbit

You Cannot Serve God and Wealth

This week Jesus takes on our biggest threat, the power of money in our lives. Spoiler: He's not for it!

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, Psalm 79:1-9, and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. The Gospel reference is Luke 16:1-13.

Sep 15, 2019 |

God Loves Us This Much

| The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers

God Loves Us This Much

The parables Jesus shares in this Gospel lesson show just how much God loves each of us. It is not enough that nine of ten coins be found, or that ninety-nine of one hundred sheep are safe. God wants each of us to know His love.

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28, Psalm14, and 1 Timothy 1:12-17. The Gospel reference is Luke 15:1-10.

Sep 08, 2019 |

Why is Jesus Breaking Up the Family?

| The Rev. William Nesbit

Why is Jesus Breaking Up the Family?

This week Jesus lays out the true cost of discipleship for his followers. Anything, and he means anything, that comes between you and God, you must be willing to leave behind. This is difficult, because God gives us such wonderful things. So, what is the way forward?

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-4,16,16-17, and Philemon 1-21. The Gospel reference is Luke 14:25-31.