Sermon12.27.20.Christmas1B St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Isaiah 61.10-62.3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3.23-25, 4.4-7; John 1.1-18 Throughout Advent, our readings have focused on the coming of a long-awaited Messiah. On Christmas Eve we celebrated the Incarnation. Now it is time for rejoicing in the Messiah! Let’s briefly review some of the scriptures pertaining to the coming of the Messiah. The first reference is found in Genesis 3, immediately after the Fall, whe

Sermon.12.20.20.Advent4B St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16; Luke 1.46-55 (Canticle of Mary); Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 In the previous Advent Sundays, we have considered the role of faith, hope, and joy. Today we focus on love, especially as it relates to the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. In 2 Samuel 7, David, while enjoying his new cedar palace, informs Nathan, the prophet, that he desires to build God a temple as opposed to the Ar

Sermon.12.13.20.Advent3B St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8, 19-28 Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday, so named for the Latin “Gaudete” which means “Rejoice.” Traditionally, the mass for this Sunday opens with the antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near” (Philippians 4.4-5). The first Sunday of Advent, we focused on faith, o

Sermon.12.06.20. Advent 2B St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Isaiah 40.1-11; Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3.8-15a; Mark 1.1-8 Hope, Comfort, and God’s Divine, Purifying Fire Last Sunday we focused on the need to keep alert, to be on watch, to stay awake while longing, hoping, and working for the day the Son of Man comes. Today we will narrow our focus and look more closely at hope and comfort. The reading from Isaiah 40 begins with “Comfort, O comfort my people, s