6 Easter.B.18
Acts 10:44-48
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

The American naturalist, poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau once said “Things do not change, we do.” That may be true. But it doesn’t make change any less difficult. Take today’s lesson from the Book of Acts as a case in point.

5 Easter.B.18
Acts 8:26-40
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

These weeks following the resurrection of Jesus bless us with stories of our Savior’s followers as they begin to make their way in the world, living out what they had seen and heard of Jesus. Today’s story is familiar to many of us. Philip baptizes the Ethiopian.

2 Easter.B.18
John 20:19-31
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

In an exquisitely beautiful sermon called “The Seeing Heart”, Frederick Buechner writes: “How can we believe that Christ is alive when we haven't seen him? I believe the sun rose this morning because there it is in the sky above us. I believe you and I are alive because here we are looking at each other. But when it comes to this central proclamation and holiest mystery of Christian faith that after his death Jesus returned to life and is alive to this day, how can we believe that?

Easter Sunday.B.18
Mark 16:1-8
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Maundy Thursday.B.18
John 13:1-17; 31b-35
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Maundy Thursday is a day associated with two important events. The Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet. How do we choose which to emphasize? I struggled with this, until I happened across a remarkable painting by one of my favorite artists, Stanley Spencer. It is called “The Last Supper” and was painted in 1920. It’s found in your bulletin.

2 Epiphany.B.17
Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51 (MLK Weekend)
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Let’s face it, calls in the middle of the night rarely portend good news—but they do get one’s attention. Such is the case in our lesson today in First Samuel. Here, a young boy, Samuel, is called to become “a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.”

2 Lent.B.17
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

1 Lent.B.17
Genesis 9:8-17
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

5 Epiphany.B.17
Mark 1:29-39
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Conversion of St. Paul.17
Galatians 1:11-24
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Today we celebrate the namesake of our parish: St. Paul—specifically, his conversion. In his letter to the Galatians he writes: “You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.”