Sermon.11.29.20.Advent.1B St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Isaiah 64.1-9; Psalm 80.1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.24-37 Do you remember your excitement as a child with the approach of Christmas? We did not have Amazon.com, but we had the Sears-Roebuck catalog. As Christmas approached, the toy section took on a “well-worn” appearance. Christmas Eve would finally come, we would fitfully drift off to sleep, and at long last, Christmas morning! In our inst

Sermon.11.22.20 St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1.15-23; Matthew 25.31-46 Today presents us with a bit of a challenge: How do we conclude our study of Matthew 25 while celebrating Christ the King Sunday (the last Sunday of the Church Year) and Thanksgiving in one sermon? Let’s begin with Ezekiel. Regrettably, our reading from Ezekiel 34 omits a great deal. The reading begins: “For thus says the Lord God: I myself wi

Sermon.11.15.20.Proper28A St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Judges 4.1-7; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11; Matthew 25.14-30 Last Sunday we focused on the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (five wise and five foolish). As noted, the parable addresses the necessity of being prepared for Christ’s coming. The oil and lamps are representative of our commitment to loving God and others, to letting our light shine before others through acts of love that others might see

Sermon.11.08.20.Proper27A St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Joshua 24.1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78.1-7; ! Thessalonians 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13 On All Saints’ Day, we noted how the saints’ lives reflect the beatitudes. They are poor in spirit, they mourn our refusal to love God and neighbor, they are meek (or humble) as opposed to being full of pride, they hunger and thirst for righteousness, they are merciful, pure in heart, and they are peacemakers. Because of these

Sermon.11.01.15 St. Paul’s – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21.1-6a; John 11.32-44 Today is All Saints Day; tomorrow is All Souls Day, or the Commemoration of all Faithful Departed. Why the difference? All Saints Day traces its roots back to the 3rd Century. The day was made official in the 9th Century when Pope Gregory IV (828-844) urged Emperor Louis “the Pious” to celebrate the day throughout the Holy Roman Empire. Holy Women, Holy Me