Epiphany 1: Baptism of Jesus William Bradbury

Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17

One of my favorite collects starts this way: “O God…Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ….” Is it possible to share the divine life of Jesus in the midst of our life on earth?

The Epiphany + William Bradbury + Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7,10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

Some of you will remember radio personality Paul Harvey who had a regular segment that aired everyday called, “The Rest of the Story”, in which he would tell the unknown story behind the known story in the news of the day. In this moment of conflict and division we need to hear the rest of the story of the Wise Men.

Sermon: First Sunday after Christmas Day

Contemplative Service: John 1:1-18 + William Bradbury

The story of Christmas can only be understood within its proper context. Luke and Matthew tell the story Jesus’ birth within the context of the people of Israel living under the domination of the Roman Empire.  When we forget this context, the story of Jesus becomes a fairy tale that doesn’t involve real people and nations, but stories about Santa Claus and winter fairy lands of snow.

Christmas Eve 2019 + William Bradbury

Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

On the order of the government, a pregnant girl and her fiancé travel 90 miles to his ancestral home, where she gives birth to her first-born son and places him in a manger. There is no celestial light and choir of angels; and in Luke’s story there are no kingly visitors who have traveled from afar. There is no health insurance and no hospital. Just one of a million refugee families suffering the cruelty of politicians and living off the mercy of strangers. Move along! Nothing out of the ordinary to see here. Yet Luke tell us something extraordinary does happen somewhere else that same night: to poor shepherds with their flock by night there is an eruption of angels, singing and celebrating the birth of the savior, who is Christ the Lord. The angel says there is a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  

Sermon+Advent 4+December 22, 2019+ William Bradbury

Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25

As a senior in high school I bought my first music system: It was made by Panasonic and had detachable box speakers to give that stereo sound we all craved. The gospels also give us stereo sound for the birth of Jesus: Luke, which we will read on Christmas Eve, gives us the story focusing on Mary:

Sermon: Advent 3-A + William Bradbury

Isaiah 35:1-10+Psalm 146:4-9+James 5:7-10+Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” This is a foundational question for everyone who feels some gravitational pull to Christian faith: Is Jesus the one, or is there another?”

      Sermon-December 8, 2019-William Bradbury

Advent 2-Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Well, if there is a kingdom coming there must also be a king close at hand—and that can be a very unsettling thing. It’s 1927 and word comes that King George V and Queen Mary are coming to visit Downton Abbey, in the recent movie of that name. The residents, both the Crawley Family that live upstairs and the servants who work downstairs are all in a tizzy. Some were thrilled with the honor, while others are overwhelmed with how this was going to change their lives over the next few weeks.

Sermon–Advent One+-December 1, 2019+William Bradbury

Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44

The word Advent means “coming”. Around here, facing a long winter, we say we can’t wait for the advent of spring. We usually think of the Season of Advent, as four weeks to prepare for our celebration of the first coming of Jesus, but the stronger focus is on the second coming of Jesus, when Jesus returns to fulfill the promise of the Kingdom of God, when, as Revelation 21 says, “God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”