The collection of sermons here reflects a year of transitional ministry at the parish of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades, California.
“To Be a Blessing” Christ the King Sunday — Nov. 23, 2014 St. Matthew’s Parish (Pacific Palisades, CA) George H. Martin As many of you know this my last sermon as your interim rector. Having preached six other last sermons in six other interims you’d think I’d be pretty good at this, but not so. It has gotten a lot harder. I know I’m leaving while they’re is still another part of the interim to do. Please know that I have…
The Time that Remains A Sermon for Nov. 16, 2014 The Rev. Dr. George H. Martin (Based on Matthew 25:14-30—The Parable of the Talents) St. Matthew’s Episcopal Parish Each week on the radio show that features Garrison Keillor as its host there is a segment on a Private Detective who works in St. Paul Minnesota. It begins this way… “A dark night in a city that knows how to keep its secrets. But on the 12th floor of the Acme…
Tough Lessons The Rev. Dr. George H. Martin Sermon for Oct. 12, 2014 St. Matthew’s Episcopal Parish (Pacific Palisades CA) The Rev. Dr. George H. Martin One Sunday morning a man came down to the kitchen, still in his pajamas. He said to his wife. “I’m not going to church today.” “Yes, you are,” she said. “Well,” he replied, “give me one good reason why I have to go.” His wife said, “Last time I looked you were still their…
Shield the Joyous Sermon for Evensong, Oct. 25, 2014 St. Matthew’s Episcopal Parish, Pacific Palisades CA George Martin Following my homily we will hear the choir sing the prayer that begins, “Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night..” They are there in the hospitals, waiting in the emergency rooms, cruising our streets in the middle of night protecting us—they are those who work or watch this night. And then also awake through the…
Bob Palmer and The Good Shepherd A Sermon for the Memorial Service, Oct. 11, 2014 At St. Matthew’s Episcopal Parish Pacific Palisades, CA The Rev. Dr. George H. Martin Sheep and Shepherds and our thanks for the life of one of the sheep who by his own admission got lost in life, before he found his life. It was a life he been given, like one risen from the dead, and he had it for 43 years. And then for…
It’s Not Your Fault—Sermon for August 17, 2014 On the front page of the Wall Street Journal (Thursday) there’s a story about military aid coming to the Jurdish fighters in Iraq. A nearby story is about the conflict between Irasel and Hamas in Gaza. Page 3 has the story about the immigrant children coming to the US from Central America and there is story about Ferguson Missouri and its challenges with racial issues. All the stories deal with conflict—two or…
“Now and Not Yet” A Sermon for July 20, 1014 St Matthew’s Parish George Martin This is a poem by Ted Kooser, former poet laureate who teaches at the University of Nebraska. It’s called The Red Wing Church. There’s a tractor in the doorway of a church in Red Wing, Nebraska, in a coat of mud and straw that drags the floor. A broken plow sprawls beggarlike behind it on some planks that make a sort of roadway up the…
There is Therefore Now George Martin Sermon for July 13, 2014 This is a sermon on one verse from all the scripture we heard read this morning. It’s the opening line from the 8th chapter of the letter to the Romans where Paul wrote: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thirteen words. Some of you know that part of my daily practice is to walk to the Starbucks in the Palisades early on…
What We’ll Find in Heaven Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 1010 St. Matthew’s Parish, Pacific Palisades CA George Martin Thirty years ago when I was the rector of St. Luke’s Church in Minneapolis, we encouraged people to wear red on Pentecost, but we also renamed it Red Balloon Sunday. In those days, those old times, we didn’t know that helium filled balloons let loose to fly off carried by the winds could land in lakes, ponds, and streams and be eaten…
Welcome, Welcome Happy Morning EASTER SERMON, APRIL 20, 2014 ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH, Pacific Palisades CA George Martin Welcome! welcome, happy morning! Welcome, happy morning! Age to age shall say; Hell today is vanquish, heaven is one today! These words will be sung at the offertory today as the choir premieres a piece by a composer and member of this church, John O’Reilly. It comes with a dedication: in thanksgiving for the ministry of the Rev. Betsy Anderson, the newly retired…