Hope Springs Eternal

In this sermon from our Historical Markers summer series, we explore a story of healing at the Pool of Bethesda, and the surprising grace of Jesus. Set alongside the history of Mineral Wells, Texas, once known for its “healing waters,” we reflect on how many of us are still striving for healing, wholeness, and purpose.But what if grace doesn't meet us in our hustle?What if Jesus shows up not when we're scrambling to fix ourselves, but when we stop, sit still, and finally let go?Drawing from John 5:1–9, we discover a man who had been sick for 38 years, unable to get to the healing waters. And yet, it's there, in his stillness and surrender, that Jesus comes to him.This sermon reminds us:• You don't have to prove yourself for God to love you.• Even serving at church can become a way of trying to earn grace.• God doesn't need the organist, the ushers—or even the priest—for grace to arrive.• And if we're too busy—even doing good things—we might miss the healing standing right in front of us.Historical Marker + Gospel Marker = A New Invitation to Rest and Receive.

I preach about teachers, students, and remembering that we are loved. The text is John 13:31-35.

I preach about main characters, God's call, and how love is shown through everyday people. The text is Acts 9:36-43.

I preach about Jesus' presence in the locked rooms of our lives, from John 20:19-31.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!

I preach on Good Friday, from John 18:1-19:42.

My Maundy Thursday sermon, from John 13:1-17, 31b-35.

I kick off our Holy Week series, preaching on Luke 23:1-49 in "Woven Together: Palm Sunday."

The Rev. Alan Bentrup preaches about God's extravagant love in John 12:1-8.

I preach about God's unrelenting love through the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

My sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent. The scripture for today is:Genesis 15:1-12,17-18Philippians 3:17-4:1Luke 13:31-35

God is near, even on the First Sunday of Lent.Readings for this week:⁠Deuteronomy 26:1-11⁠⁠Romans 10:8b-13⁠⁠Luke 4:1-13⁠

My sermon for Ash Wednesday, 2025. The readings are:Joel 2:1-2,12-172 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

I preach about trust for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany. The readings are:Jeremiah 17:5-101 Corinthians 15:12-20Luke 6:17-26Psalm 1

I preach on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Today's readings: Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Psalm 29

Let's talk about St. Martin, looking at Matthew 25:31-46. Sorry for the quality. We're still replacing our video equipment after our electrical surge and this was shot on a cell phone.

Alan Bentrup preaches on God's mercy, looking at James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37. It is the second part in our sermon series on James, "A Faith that Works."

What do Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch teach us about God's love?

Jesus is always out ahead of us, making all things new.

Where do we hear ourselves in the story of Jesus' last week?

Alan Bentrup preaches about snakes, crosses, and idolatry.

The 10 commandments, Jesus cleansing the temple, and how we hold up our end of the bargain.

Alan and Gavin tackle the sermon together, looking at Lent, covenant, and what we're doing when we're baptized.

Evil tries to claim it all. And what does Jesus have to say about that?

Baptism is easy. The Christian life is the hard part.

The Light shines in unexpected places

Alan preaches on November 12, 2023.

What does it mean to love our neighbor?

Father Alan preaches on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Father Alan preaches on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

When we focus on God's love, we can do anything.

We have to mean it.

What would your billboard say?

A sermon for VBS Sunday

When we feel alone or scared or like we're standing at the edge of a gap, God is trusting that we will learn that God is always with us.

God's table is big enough for diΛerent people. God's table is big enough for disagreement. God's table is even big enough for me, and for you.

Each one of us is called to go out into the world bearing witness to the Good News that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead, and that grace and mercy and forgiveness and life and love always have the final word.

Each one of us is called to go out into the world bearing witness to the Good News that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead, and that grace and mercy and forgiveness and life and love always have the final word.

Everything changed. So what are we going to do about it?

Every cross flowers with new life. Every tomb holds the hope of new birth. Every darkness is overcome by light. It's true. It is absolutely true. Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

A funeral preached at the burial eucharist of Jordan DeClerk.

That's the truth of this story. That's the Good News of this day. Death is hell, but Jesus Christ meets us here.

Jesus Christ calls us to wait with him. In the intimacy, the vulnerability, and the silence. In the fear and the grief and the despair. We're called to wait.

What are the stories we don't want to tell?

God loves everyone you hate.

Who told you that you were the worst thing you had ever done?

We're going to let God speak to us in the midst of the changes of this life. I don't know what changes you are dealing with. Maybe it's a change in your health or well-being. Maybe it's a change in your family. Maybe it's a change in your work. Maybe it's a dream that didn't work out, or even a dream that is working out better than you imagined. In the midst of all of these changes, we're going to listen for God's voice.

There are profound implications to being named salt and light. Salt and light transform things. Salt and light reveal things. And we are called to transform human activity in such a way that it reveals God in this world.

Jesus' strategy for facing the road ahead can be found right here in today's Gospel, in the beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. This is how we face the challenges, the uncertainties, and the opportunities of life. This is how we face the road ahead.

He only really says two things today: “Repent,” and “Follow me.” At some level they are two sides of the same coin. Repentance is more than just a moral change. It is a life change, a turning point. We look in a diΛerent direction. We travel a new road.

Jesus oΛers more than his address. He oΛers an invitation. “Come and see,” he says.