The Temptation to Imitate Satan and the invitation to Imitate Christ

Readings for the First Sunday in Lent (Year A) Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 Psalm 32 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 26, 2023. Last December, I invited Fr. David Shewmaker to preach on this First Sunday in Lent and he said he would be happy to do so. […]

Homily for Fr. David Paul Shewmaker’s Celebration of Life

Readings for Fr. David Shewmaker’s Celebration of Life Lamentations 3:22-26 Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39 Matthew 6:25 – 34 This homily was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on February 25, 2023. One week after Fr. David Shewmaker died, he appeared to me in a dream looking especially spry, slim, dressed in a denim jacket, and […]

The Darkness of Taboric Light

Readings for the Last Sunday after Epiphany (Year A) Exodus 24:12-18 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 Psalm 2 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 19, 2023. Last Sunday, I concluded my sermon with the hope that our eyes may be open to see the uncreated light of God shining all around us. […]

Sermon on the Mount: Expressions of the Inexpressible Name

The Sermon on the Mount: Expressions of the Inexpressible Name Readings for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany (Year A) Deuteronomy 30:15-20 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 Psalm 119:1-8 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 12, 2023. This last Thursday, our dear friend Fr. David Shewmaker passed on to his eternal reward […]

The Way is the Foundation: Rector’s Report on 2022

The Way is the Foundation Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9a, [9b-12] 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, [13-16] Matthew 5:13-20 Psalm 112:1-9, (10) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 5, 2023. During this season of the liturgical year, known as Epiphanytide, we hear the words of the greatest sermon ever […]