Sermons from September 2012

By The Rev. Sherry Deets 18 Pentecost, Proper 21, September 30, 2012 Mark 9:38-50 A strong community enhances the lives of its members. The community is a place of identity, where people have a sense of belonging because they are known and recognized. The community provides protection and support. The community shapes values and provides cultural norms. But there are risks in a strong community. The expectations and demands of a social order may restrict the freedom and creativity of…

By The Rev. Sherry Deets 16 Pentecost, Proper 19, Year B – September 16, 2012 Mark 8:27-38 This week’s gospel reading is, in almost every way possible, the center of Mark’s Gospel. It stands, quite literally, near the dead center of Mark’s work. It also marks the major transition in the story from Jesus’ ministry of opposing all that oppresses God’s people (by healing, feeding, casting out demons and the rest) to Jesus’ journey to the cross. But perhaps most…

By The Rev. Sherry Deets 15 Pentecost, Proper 18 – September 9, 2012 Mark 7:24-37 This is one of the more difficult, if not interesting stories for me, in the New Testament – the story of the Syrophoenician woman. During our first service upon my entering seminary, this was the gospel passage. Our Liturgy professor at the time, said, always remember that you entered seminary under this passage. What makes it difficult, of course, is that Jesus comes off as…

By The Rev. Sherry Deets 14 Pentecost Year B Proper 17 – September 2, 2012 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 A young rabbi went to serve his first synagogue, and he noticed that on the first Sabbath, when he said the prayers, the congregation on the left side of the synagogue stood at the beginning of the prayers, and the congregation on the right side remained seated. The young rabbi thought this was a little odd, but continued to say the prayers. After…