Rev. Timothy J. Ensworth
Our crucified and risen Savior (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 16:21-26
March 19, 2017
If any of you want to come with me,
you must forget yourself, carry your cross,
and follow me.
For if you want to save your own life,
you will lose it;
but if you lose your life for my sake,
you will find it.… Continue reading ...
What is your name? (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
John 1:1-18
January 5, 2014
What is your name?
Two months ago, Dave Panicucci asked that question to the dozen or so children sitting on these steps at the front of the church. He wanted them to know that they matter to us, that they matter to us enough to want to call them each by name. … Continue reading ...
My own dear son (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 3:13-17
January 12, 2014
This is my own dear son …
God loved the world so much that he gave …
that he gave the world his own dear son.
This is my own dear son …
That’s what we remember, that’s what we proclaim, during these seasons of Christmas and now Epiphany, that God gave to us his own dear son. … Continue reading ...
Open the doors! (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Isaiah 49:1-6, John 1:29-42
January 19, 2014
Here we are. It’s a Sunday morning and we’re in church. I have chosen to come here this morning and you have chosen to come here this morning.
Do you come here because you want to feel safe? Because you want to come to a place where you can be yourself without fear of being judged or laughed at or belittled? … Continue reading ...
A dangerous God (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Isaiah 9:1-4, Matthew 4:12-17
January 26, 2014
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
“Seven out of ten people live in countries where economic inequality has increased in the last thirty years.”
Does it matter?
In our own country, we like to talk about the current economic recovery, but ninety-five percent of the growth in wealth since the 2008 financial crisis has gone to the wealthiest one-percent of Americans, while, during that same period, the bottom ninety percent of the population has become poorer.… Continue reading ...
the man of Nazareth (Click
on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 15:21-28
March 12, 2017
I am not the same person I was 22 1/2 years ago. Are you? I’m not the same minister I was 22 1/2 years ago. I have changed, significantly, since I have been here among you. I don’t think in the same way. … Continue reading ...
Via pulchritudinis (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 5:1-9
February 2, 2014
What do these seven things have in common?
1) Sue holds up Diane’s photograph on the cover of this Sunday’s bulletin.
2) The chancel choir sings the refrain of “Blest Are They.”
3) Sophia and Grace come to the front of the sanctuary and hug each other.… Continue reading ...
Your kingdom come (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Isaiah 58:1-9
February 9, 2014
All too often we are simply not on the same page — us and God. You think?
But I am not now thinking primarily of “us” in the general sense, of humanity as a whole going its own merry way, in spite of God or even to spite God. … Continue reading ...
Sticks and stones (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 5:21-24
February 16, 2014
ῥακά …
You good-for-nothing, empty-headed, piece of …
μωρέ …
You worthless fool. You stupid idiot.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words …” Words may cause an injury that no orthopedist or surgeon can mend. Words may leave a festering wound that never heals, deep scars that persist for a lifetime. … Continue reading ...
Deus ibi est (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Matthew 5:38-48
February 23, 2014
Deus ibi est. God is there.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Where charity and love are, God is there.
When you harvest your fields, do not cut the grain at the edges of the fields, and do not go back to cut the heads of grain that were left. … Continue reading ...