Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Call me socially insecure, but I would hate to show up wearing shorts, a Lady Gaga t-shirt and flip flops when everyone else is wearing a suit and tie, or cocktail dress. I do notice these things – what others are wearing. So I wonder what’s up with the fellow at the wedding feast. Doesn’t he notice he’s out of place? I wish Jesus hadn’t said some of the things he did. All the killing, city burning, and throwing a poor shmuck into outer darkness because someone isn’t dressed right doesn’t exactly fit my image of God.

Continue reading October 9, 2011: Truth Bring Consequences

Blessing of the Animals will be on Saturday, October 8, at 9:30 in the children’s park at the corner of Marshall and Ogden. Bring your pets to be blessed, and stay for juice, coffee, and a bite to eat in the Parlor afterwards. Children without a pet may bring a favorite stuffed animal for a Blessing. The Feast Day of St. Francis is October 4, so we are moving the Blessing of the Animals to the Saturday after the Feast Day.

Open House: Thursday, October 6, 2011, from 4 -7 p.m. at St. Paul’s

Exhibition: Through the month of October 2011 in St Paul’s Parlor and Great Hall

Dr. and Mrs. David Zersen, regular participants at St. Paul’s, present works of art by Dr. P. Solomon Raj, theologian and artist of Vijayawada, India, entitled “Seeing with Indian Eyes.” Raj works in woodcuts and batiks, demonstrating stories of the Old and New Testament. At 90 years, he is one of the best-known Christian artists in Asia. Plan to join us for this exciting opportunity.

Continue reading Solomon Raj Open House: Thursday, October 6, 2011, from 4 -7 p.m.

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“It’s been a busy week,” not in Lake Wobegon, as Garrison Keillor would say, but in Jerusalem. Let’s step back and set the stage a bit. On Sunday Jesus rides into town on a donkey. The crowds hail him Messiah and that sets the clergy on edge. Later he has an episode in the Temple, upturns cash registers, cleans house and gets in big trouble. Chief priests and elders show up for his lecture today, not to listen and learn, but to question his “religious cred.” And they should. It’s their business. They are the guardians of faith. He’s an unauthorized street preacher, stepping onto their turf with an unauthorized version of God. Tricky – whose truth will they trust?

Continue reading September 25, 2011: Truth Bring Consequences

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

After the service, a parishioner offered his unsolicited feedback to my sermon: “What do you know about running a business anyway? Paying workers that way is not fair. Just stick to religion and preaching, but not preaching about business.” He’s right. Pay a person a full-day wage for an hour of work, and you’ll be out of business in no time. Next time the unemployed see you drive the bus up, guess how many pass and wait for the day’s last bus? The problem with Jesus’ story – It’s not fair. You don’t reward people who don’t pull their own load.

Continue reading September 18, 2011: How Fair Do We Want God to Be?

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Ever tried to swim in opposite directions at the same time? Looks like most are smart enough not to try that. Many churches will make an attempt today. One direction is celebration. We celebrate the return from summer, the church program year beginning, and the onset of fall. The opposite direction is less than joyful – somber and reflective. We hold in our souls events of this day ten years ago. Do you remember where you were when you heard the news – then came numbness, shock, a surreal feeling? We soon realized our world is forever changed.

Continue reading September 11, 2011: Forgiveness Leads to Reconciliation

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Crowds rush Jesus wanting to make him their king. Jesus runs the other direction to escape them. Peter agrees with the crowd, and says Jesus is King in waiting, the Messiah. For saying Jesus and Messiah in the same breath, Peter wins a new name – Rock, and Jesus hands him a set of keys for the new kingdom.

Continue reading August 28, 2001: Peter’s Resistance Movement

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Late one afternoon my favorite Rabbi rang me up: “Get over here now.” “Why, what’s up?” John tells me a large Christian body has just voted and declared open season on Jews. “What do you mean?” He said, “They want to convert us to your side. A TV news reporter is on the way to interview me. You’ve got to come and say not all Christians are like this.” So, I went to the synagogue. I told the reporter, “Not all Christians believe Jesus sends us to tell Jews or anyone to ‘turn or burn.’ Jesus sends us to love others and reconcile people, not divide and conquer with fear and guilt.” At least that seemed to be the spirit of the Jesus I had come to know.

Continue reading August 21, 2011: Right Confession – What’s It Mean?

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Two different worlds are about to collide. In Jacob’s word, a famine bears down on the land. He hears Egypt has storehouses aplenty and loaded with food; plus no national debt, and AAA+ rated Egyptian treasury notes. Since their economy booms, Jacob sends his sons for help. Keep in mind this is not a run to the corner grocery store for milk and eggs. It’s long and treacherous journey. They’ll need more than food for a week – food for children, children’s children, flocks and servants.

Continue reading August 14, 2011: Chance or Providence?