Sermon.09.22.19 St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Jeremiah 8.18 – 9.1; Psalm 79.1-9; 1 Timothy 2.1-7; Luke 16.1-13 Today’s collect provides the lens through which we should examine the lectionary readings: “Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure.” Our reading from Jeremiah begins with a lament: “My joy is gone,

Sermon Preparation.09.15.19 St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 1.12-17; Luke 15.1-10 We can’t deny it – Jeremiah contains some difficult passages. Last Sunday we looked at Jeremiah’s visit to the potter, and heard God’s word, “Thus says the Lord: I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. But they say, ‘It is no us

Sermon.09.08.19 St. Paul’s Episcopal -- Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Jeremiah 18.1-11; Psalm 139.1-5, 12-17; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14.25-33 Today’s readings contain numerous images, convey tough messages, and raise critical questions. In Jeremiah 18 the Lord tells Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house where God will speak to him. As Jeremiah is watching, the potter spoils a pot. In ancient times, casting a pot required more coordination than today. The potter spun the wheel with

Sermon.09.01.19 St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry V. Ort Jeremiah 2.4-13; Psalm 81.1, 10-16; Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16; Luke 14.1, 7-14 Today’s appointed readings have a great deal to say about choosing wisely. In Jeremiah, we encounter the prophet’s lament for the people of the house of Jacob and the house of Israel have not chosen wisely: “What wrong did your ancestors find in me [God] that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless th