Sermons

Under the right conditions, snow for Valentine’s Day could be romantic

Sermon for February 15, 2015 (Last Sunday after the Epiphany)
Rev. Amy Welin:
Picture the snow quietly falling on the trees and lawn as you gaze out the window, sitting close to your beloved, enjoying a nice cup of cocoa or glass of wine. A glowing fireplace warms the room behind you. You are amazed and uplifted by the overwhelming power of love. Love is enough as it fills your heart and all is right in your world. The romance of fantasy. Read More Read more • Leer más → “Under the right conditions, snow for Valentine’s Day could be romantic”
Sermons

Jesus is on his way. Are we willing to keep moving with Jesus?

Sermon for February 8, 2015 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany)
Rev. Amy Welin:
Jesus comes to tell us good news - the good news that we are also connected to the power of God, the good news that we shall never be alone. And, that good news is accompanied by mighty acts that free people from their burdened lives. When Jesus sneaks out to pray early in the morning, and the disciples find him, he responds with a renewed commitment to his mission of proclamation and confronting the power of evil. Lives are changed, the world is different. Can we let Jesus heal us of our fevers - as he healed Peter’s mother-in-law - so that we can hear the good news of deliverance and join him on his mission? Jesus is on his way. Are we willing to keep moving with Jesus? Read More Read more • Leer más → “Jesus is on his way. Are we willing to keep moving with Jesus?”
Sermónes

¿Cuándo fue la última vez que se sintió sorprendido?

La Rev. Amy Welin (4 Epifanía): ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que se sintió sorprendido? ¿Fue una experiencia reciente - tal vez una visión de las estrellas en el cielo claro de invierno? Usted fue testigo de un milagro, o sentir la presencia de Dios? ¿O es sorpresa para usted un recuerdo de hace mucho tiempo? ¿Era su observación de la maravillosa una buena sensación o negativa? Lea más Read more • Leer más → “¿Cuándo fue la última vez que se sintió sorprendido?”
Sermons

God makes marvelous works to be remembered

Sermon for February 1, 2015 (Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany)
Rev. Amy Welin:
When was the last time you felt amazed? Was it a recent experience - perhaps a glimpse of the stars in the clear winter sky? Did you witness a miracle or sense the presence of God? Or is amazement a long-ago memory? Was your observation of the wondrous a good feeling or a negative one? Read More Read more • Leer más → “God makes marvelous works to be remembered”
Sermónes

Danos gracia, Señor, para responder prestamente al llamamiento de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo

La Rev. Amy Welin (3 Epifanía): He oído la historia de la llamada de los primeros apóstoles, y estoy sorprendido por la inmediatez y la energía de su respuesta. Ellos dijeron que sí a Cristo y lo decían en serio. Su compromiso cambió el mundo. Al mismo tiempo Estoy entristecido porque la llamada de Cristo - el llamado a orar, servir y proclamar buenas nuevas - a menudo pasa inaudito en San Juan. Como resultado, el estado de la parroquia es precaria. Lea más Read more • Leer más → “Danos gracia, Señor, para responder prestamente al llamamiento de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo”
Sermons

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer the call of our Savior Jesus Christ

Sermon for January 25, 2015 (Third Sunday after the Epiphany)
Rev. Amy Welin:
St. John’s parish needs to get in touch with your spiritual side. Embrace Sunday as a celebration by disciples of Jesus Christ. We are church and not just a gathering of friends. (It is not possible to overstate the import of this foundational theological principle of our reason to exist). Do church like you mean it: sing, pray, respond. We need to transform our worship and our music so they are active and engaged and not passive. Worship in this community must be our passion, not merely habit. The God we worship is the God to whom we pray and sing, and the God of our worship is tired, kind of dull, and easy to tune out. Participation in worship gives apostles the energy to share the good news beyond the doors of the parish. Read More Read more • Leer más → “Give us grace, O Lord, to answer the call of our Savior Jesus Christ”
Sermónes

Habla, Señor, que tu siervo escucha

La Rev. Amy Welin (2 Epifanía): ¿Alguna vez se necesita un experto para ayudarle a resolver un problema? En San Juan, dependo en el personal y los guardianes, ya veces tenemos que llamar a los expertos. Especialización tiene sus méritos. Esta semana, el Grupo de reutilización se reunió con un representante de la Corporación de Apoyo a Iniciativas Locales (LISC), que ayuda a las organizaciones no lucrativas locales a construir comunidades donde la gente puede prosperar. La mujer que se reunió con nosotros tiene la experiencia como desarrollador, y tenía muchas ideas para compartir con nosotros. Estamos agradecidos por su experiencia y sus preguntas, y pensamos que nos beneficiaremos de explorar algunas de las opciones para el desarrollo de nuestra propiedad. Esperamos que nos conectará con otros expertos, que pueden ayudar a San Juan en asegurar un futuro aquí. Lea más Read more • Leer más → “Habla, Señor, que tu siervo escucha”
Sermons

Speak, LORD, for your Servant is Listening

Sermon for January 18, 2015 (Second Sunday after the Epiphany)
Rev. Amy Welin:
Have you ever needed an expert to help you resolve a problem? At St John’s, I lean on Cindy and Tony, and on Dave and Don, and sometimes we need to call the experts. Expertise has its merits. This week, the RePurposing Task Force met with a representative of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which helps local non-profits build communities where people can thrive. The woman who met with us has experience as a developer, and she had many insights to share with us. We were grateful for her expertise and her questions, and we think that we will benefit from exploring some options for development of our property. We hope that she will connect us with other experts, who can assist St John’s in securing a future here. Read More Read more • Leer más → “Speak, LORD, for your Servant is Listening”