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Mini Sermon #39: Anointing an Everyman
Sermon Lesson #1: 1 Samuel 10 (NRSV)Sermon Lesson #2: 1 Samuel 16:10-16 (NRSV)Psalm: Psalm 20:6-9 (NRSV) In the United States, we have never taken to anointing kings. The closest we have is the Netflix original series The Crown which showed, in great detail, the anointing of the young Elizabeth II, with full explanation from the Duke of Windsor (the former Edward VIII). In fact, we Americans have always made a point not to anoint our elected leaders. I was once…
Domain Notice
Many of you may remember that in past months — when changing to the new website — we were registered as both fccnorthampton[dot]org and fccnorthampton[dot]com. This is just a friendly notice, to save all pages in your bookmarks as [dot]org as we will be letting the [dot]com expire on February 14, 2021. Forgive the technobabble. Any questions? —email the Reverend.
Mini Sermon #38
Sermon Lesson: John 1:43-51 (NRSV)Old Testament Lesson (full): 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (NRSV)Psalm: Psalm 139 (NRSV) Today, one week since the beginning of Epiphany, we move to Jesus’s early ministry, specifically as recounted in the Gospel of John. We are fortunate in that we don’t have to break down one of Jesus’s parables (as in months past) as no one is speaking in riddles—at least not to each other. In this short passage Jesus meets one of his first followers, and…
Mini Sermon #37
Sermon Lesson: Acts 19:1-7 (NRSV)Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 1:1-5 (NRSV)Psalm: Psalm 29 (NRSV) I have always viewed the Apostle Paul one of the more controversial figures of Early Christian History. It isn’t so much his origins – a Jewish man who was born with the privilege of Roman citizenship, Saul then persecuted Christians as traitors of Rome before he, himself, converted upon the Road to Damascus. It isn’t his religious zeal and his rigorous beliefs, though sometimes they can make…
Virtual Worship Schedule (January-February 2021)
Upcoming Zoom Communion Services # date title link 1 January 3, 2021 Epiphany of the Lord Sunday recorded zoom 2 February 7, 2021 5th Sunday after Epiphany All Welcome @ 10 AM 3 March 7, 2021 3rd Sunday in Lent All Welcome @ 10 AM Live Worship & Communion is held the first Sunday of every month at 10 AM on Zoom. To receive an invitation, please click here. All Friends of Christ & Seekers are Welcome. Recorded Youtube Message…
Home Communion
An Article and Worship Service by Rev. Averill Elizabeth Blackburn Dear Reader, Although I can only speak for myself, one of the aspects of worship I have missed most during this Health Crisis was the taking of Communion with my fellow believers. The ritual of the Lord’s Supper is one of my earliest memories of church and, also, the setting (or punchline) of many of my stories of living and traveling abroad. My first taste of wine, for instance, came…
Mini Sermon #36
Sermon Lesson: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 (NRSV)New Testament Lesson: Revelation 21:1-6 (NRSV)Psalm: Psalm 8 (NRSV) Ecclesiastes is a book in the Hebrew Bible (and Christian Old Testament) that I often find is only taken off the shelf for funerals and for other times of difficulties in our lives. Today’s scripture passage, for example, is often read at graveside burials. Its popularity at such times of grief makes it almost commonplace, easily recitable for half a verse or so, and then just as…
An Archdeacon Christmas
Announcing that the Archdeacon has joined Facebook! Friend him hereor follow the full link: https://www.facebook.com/archdeacon.grantley Merry Christmas from Rev. Averill & the Archdeacon
Christmas Medley 2020
From the Music Committee and Organist Kathy Marks — a Christmas Piano Medley of many of the songs used in our youtube videos and other Christmas Hymns. Hymns and Songs Include: Away in A Manger, Good King Wenceslas, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, The Angel Gabriel, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Toyland, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Grown up Christmas List, Il Est Né (He is Born), In the Bleak Midwinter, Joy, Coventry Carol, O Christmas Tree, Angels…
Mini Sermon #35
Sermon Lesson: Galatians 4:4-7 (NRSV)Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (NRSV)Psalm: Psalm 148 (NRSV) Other Mentioned Bible Verses: Exodus 20:2-17 (NRSV) & Mark 12:29-31 (NRSV) It would be wrong of us to assume that the story of the birth of Jesus only appears in the Gospels. Matthew, the first in order of publication, begins with a massive accounting of Jesus’s genealogy (who—through Joseph—is descended directly from King David). Mark opens with good news—or godspell—or a gospel—that Isaiah’s…