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In Defense of Leah

Proper 12.A.17
Genesis 29:15-28
The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley

Today’s sermon begins with a Disclaimer: The following joke is in no way intended to represent the viewpoint of current management (me) or upper management (God) as relates to the eternal destination of any of the persons mentioned herein (male or female). It is told solely as a means to advance the cause of Holy Writ.

Inch by Inch & Row by Row

Proper 10.A.2017
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley

David Mallet wrote a wonderful children’s ditty called “The Garden Song”. The refrain (and I’ll do us all a favor here and not sing) goes thusly: “Inch by inch, row by row/gonna make this garden grow./ All it takes is a rake and a hoe/ and a piece of fertile ground.” This morning, I’d like for us to give some thought to fertile ground. To put it bluntly, this is a sermon about dirt. And, the question I have for you today is this: What kind of dirt are you?

To Sacrifice or Not?

Proper 8.A.2017
Genesis 22:1-14
The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley

I confess. The first thought that sprang to mind upon encountering the Old Testament lesson appointed for today was rather less than commendable. It was simply an overwhelming sense of relief that this reading didn’t land a few weeks earlier on Father’s Day.”

My Yoke is Easy & My Burden is Light

Proper 9.A.2017
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley

I don’t know about you, but the image of oxen, yoked together and plodding through the fields doesn’t necessarily generate an image of comfort—particularly if you are asked to identify with the ox. Instead, it looks like work…hard work. Picture the oxen, their heads bowed, slowly pulling a great weight as they plod along. Row upon row they go….their toil, a rather uninspiring image of what our lives can become. I ask you. How can any of this possibly be good news?

Reconciliation: The Work of the Church

6 Epiphany.A.17
Matthew 5:13-20
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

There’s a great Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin says to his tiger friend Hobbes, “I feel bad that I called Susie names and hurt her feelings. I’m sorry I did it.”

“Maybe you should apologize to her,” Hobbes suggests. Calvin ponders this for a moment and replies “I keep hoping there’s a less obvious solution.”

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