First Reading            Genesis 18:20-32

Psalm                         Psalm 138

Second Reading      Colossians 2:6-19

Gospel                       Luke 11:1-13

"Lord, teach us to pray." In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            "Lord, teach us to pray." A seemingly simple request. Jesus is often referred to in the Gospels as Rabbi, which means teacher. It makes sense the disciples would ask Jesus to teach, and especially to teach them about prayer. Luke portrays a praying Jesus. Jesus would withdraw to deserted places to pray. Jesus went up mountains to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. Jesus prayed before he chose His apostles and when he fed the five thousand. He...

First Reading            Genesis 18:1-10a

Psalm                         Psalm 15

Second Reading      Colossians 1:15-28

Gospel                       Luke 10:38-42

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels unawares.” -Hebrews 13:2

In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            Almost three years ago, the Vestry of St. Paul’s gathered with their newly called priest to explore our purpose together. We were seeking guidance for our mutual life in this community and the kingdom. Purpose helps provide focus, informs our decisions, and guides our next faithful steps. The simple phrase chosen to guide our journey was ‘Gospel hospitality’. Hos...

The question is not "who is my neighbor?" The question is "to whom will I be neighbor?"

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul." -Ps 25:1

In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            "Moses said to the people of Israel, “The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings." What wonderful news! God delights in bringing us prosperity. Then Moses adds the fine print, the caveat, the "your mileage may vary" statement at the end of the ad by the fast talker with the legal disclaimers. All of this abundant prosperity can be yours ... "when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law." Have you read the book of the law? Have you seen the long, tedious list of thou shalt's and thou shalt not's? Moses delivered the law, so he must understand the rigorous restrictions and requirements relegated to God's chosen people. It is easy to see the Law as demanding, restrictive, and meant to divi...

                                                                                   First Reading            Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalm                         Psalm 66:1-8

Second Reading      Galatians 6:1-16

Gospel                       Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

            Today, Luke recounts the first mission trip. The concept of mission trip can mean different things to different people. I must disclose my bias as we explore Jesus’ sending of the 70. God made me a little skeptical. I like to spin it more...