Sermons

"Freedom in Christ"

7 Easter.C.25
Acts 16:16-34; John 17:20-26
Melanie L. McCarley

The reading from the sixteenth chapter of Acts speaks to us of what it means to be held captive. A cursory glance at the lesson suggests that this is a story about how Paul and his companion Silas found themselves imprisoned by the Romans for disturbing the peace. However, a longer look at the text urges us to seek a deeper meaning as to what it means to be held prisoner. By the end of the thirty-fourth verse, we are led to consider just who it is who is being held captive…and by whom.

Finding Peace

6 Easter.C.25
Rev. 21:10-22-2:5; John 14:23-29
Melanie L. McCarley

Catherine Marshall tells the story of a king who sought the perfect painting of peace. A prize was offered to the artist who could best capture the true nature of the subject. Many artists submitted their paintings, and the king, in turn, looked at all their pictures with care. After careful observation he narrowed the submissions down to two pictures that he thought were closest and decided to select one of them.

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