Hope Believed

An Easter sermon from Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, California. April 17, 2022 Luke 24:1-12 The gospel writers don’t agree about every detail as they tell the story of Jesus. Joann mentioned that Thursday when talking about the accounts of the night Jesus was betrayed. One thing all four gospel writers record is that…

After the Ending, a New Thing

A sermon preached at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, California April 4, 2021 Mark 16:1-8 Isaiah 43:14-21 Mark’s account of Easter morning is noticeably different than the other 3 gospels. Jesus makes zero resurrection appearances here. He isn’t mistaken for the gardener, as he is in John’s gospel. He doesn’t walk on the road…

Beloved Disciple

A sermon preached at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, California John 20:1-18 April 4, 2021 (service begins 25 minutes in, after the gorgeous prelude) In this gospel account, Mary Magdalene is the first person to the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning. That’s the same in all 4 gospels—women are the first witnesses to…

Empty Tombs, Empty Sanctuaries

An Easter sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho April 12, 2020 Mark 16:1-8 The sun was rising, and the details of the world were coming into focus as light dawned on a new day, plants turning from monochromatic shades to vibrant green, the dew reflecting like diamonds; lumpy shadows on the path…

Be Ready for Joy

An Easter sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian church in Boise, Idaho April 21, 2019 Matthew 28:1-10 The first day of the week was dawning, and according to Matthew’s gospel, two women go to Jesus’ tomb. In the other gospels, the number of women changes, but in all the gospels, the Easter morning story is told…

Showing Our Wounds

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho April 12, 2015 John 20:19-29 Last week, on Easter, we left the women, or I should say, they left us behind at the tomb, running in terror and amazement and saying nothing to nobody. Today’s passage from John’s gospel tells us that that as soon…

After the Terror and Amazement

An Easter Sermon from Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho Mark 16:1-8 Christ is Risen! Hallelujah! Let’s flee in terror and amazement, saying nothing to anyone because we are afraid! Hallelujah! Wait? What? That’s not how it is supposed to go. Mark’s account of Easter morning is noticeably different than the other 3 gospels. Jesus…

Fear and Great Joy

An Easter Sermon, preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho April 20, 2014 I confess Matthew’s account of the Easter story is not the one I’ve spent the most time with. I like the stark account that Mark tells, where the women flee in terror and say nothing to no-body.  I like the encounter…