Irreverently Reverend

  Ordinary Time:  Series on the vows of The United Methodist Church 43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  44  But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45  so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.  46  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  47  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same?  48  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 6  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2  “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as...

  Communion Sunday, Ordinary Time The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.  8  Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.  9  Be hospitable to one another without complaining.  10  Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received .  11  Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.  (NRSVue)             “The most notable fact in religion today is that ministers of all denominations are trying, somewhat desperately but with immense energy and imagination, to find new ways to carry God back into the everyd...

  Fourth Sunday of Advent In the beginning was the Word     and the Word was with God     and the Word was God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 Everything came into being through the Word,     and without the Word     nothing came into being. What came into being 4      through the Word was life,     and the life was the light for all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. 8 He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. 9 The true light that shines on all people     was coming into the world. 10 The light was in the world,     and the world came into being through the light,    ...