Rev. Timothy J. Ensworth
A public witness (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 10:32-33
June 25, 2017
Bay of St Columba
In the Bay of St Columba on the Isle of Iona,
The stones remember Columba and the monks
Who followed him in trust to work and pray.
With the constant arrival and exit of cold salty waves,
Which daily invade the beach and flee back out to sea,
Smoothed rocks covering the sand sing and chant,
“Where have you gone, dear friend?… Continue reading ...
Seeing Jesus (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
John 14:15-21
May 21, 2017
WWJD. What would Jesus do? You’ve probably heard the expression. You may have worn the bracelet. WWJD. What would Jesus do?
It’s a cue, a reminder, to frame the decisions we make and the actions we take in the context of Jesus’ way of thinking and acting. … Continue reading ...
Breaking bread with a stranger (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Luke 24:13-35
April 30, 2017
When did they recognize Jesus? When he broke the bread. Before that, they didn’t know who he was. He was a stranger to them.
This is a strange and wonderful account, unique to the gospel of Luke. Two people, identified as followers of Jesus, are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village seven miles west.… Continue reading ...
and shared our common lot
Matthew 25:31-46
April 2, 2017
Where was Jesus? Eighty-some generations ago, when Jesus lived and worked in Palestine, where would you find him?
You would find him sitting by a well, starting up a conversation with a woman, a Samaritan woman, crossing ethnic and gender boundaries to ask from her a drink of water, and to offer her a drink of living water.… Continue reading ...
you have come to us (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 21:33-43
March 26, 2017
Great God of Earth and Heaven
(New Century Hymnal, #579)
Great God of earth and heaven whose Spirit is our breath,
at Christmastime born human, at Easter shared our death …
“Great God of earth and heaven.” Creator, sustainer, provider. Holy.
Great God of earth and heaven. … Continue reading ...
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 ...
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 ...
Have you ever been in love? (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Matthew 17:1-8
March 2, 2014
Have you ever been in love?
Maybe it was puppy love, a childhood crush, like Charlie Brown and the little red-haired girl.
Maybe it was a first, serious, high-school romance, awakening in you a new desire to share everything — thoughts and feelings and dreams and touch — with another person.… Continue reading ...