This sermon was preached at North Presbyterian Church on January 8, 2012 at morning worship. It's part of a series I preached on the topic of "Sex and Loving God." During that worship service we read Matthew 2:1-12 ( because this was the Sunday nearest to Epiphany, the church holy day when we celebrate the … Continue reading Sermon #3–Sex and Loving God: Natures and Origins
Tag: Elmira
Pastor Note #29 — Looking Around the Corner
So, we’ve come to the beginning of a new year, and those seem lately to come flying around more often than once a year. The idea that time seems to move more quickly as we get older is not a novel idea. Conventional wisdom says it's true. And who am I to argue with conventional … Continue reading Pastor Note #29 — Looking Around the Corner
Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Bringing the Marks of Everyday Life into the Presence of the Lord Finally, I had a decent black suit. I was very pleased with that fact on this particular morning as I drove to conduct a funeral. Until a recent, successful trip to the Bargain Hut, I had been without a good black suit. I … Continue reading Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All
Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, Lord of all time, Lord of this moment, Lord of all things living and Lord of my own beating heart, I want you to be my Lord. I want my fleeting thoughts to be from you and for you. I want you to be the head waters of my … Continue reading Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All
Pastor Note #27 — Are You Ready?
ARE YOU READY? Rev. Gary Chorpenning It isn’t really supposed to be a happy season – Advent isn’t. But we have tended to make it that way. Well, who can blame us? Our world has been feeling rather grim lately. Who could blame us for grabbing hold of any little occasion for happiness we can … Continue reading Pastor Note #27 — Are You Ready?
Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35
This is now the second sermon in a series on the manna and quail of the wilderness journey. In this sermon, I explore how the values and priorities of ancient paganism aren't all that far away from the modern, westerner's wrestling with faith. Here's a link to the text of Exodus 16:1-35. Here's the link … Continue reading Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35
Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer
Lord, my emotions are squirming around in me in a very uncomfortable way. I know that that is caused by a wide range of pressures, stressors, foolish thoughts, genuine problems, and a real sense of overload, of having more things in my mind than I can keep track of. Important matters are slipping through my … Continue reading Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer
Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship
Father, we gather today to worship you. That is our identity not merely an action that we take. We are the people who worship you, O blessed and singular Trinity. Nurture that identity in us. Enter our being as a people and as persons and by your Holy Spirit infuse that true identity deep within … Continue reading Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship
Prayer Note #24 — Haggling With God–Genesis 18:16-33
In its simplest sense, prayer is conversing with God. The Bible contains lots and lots of conversations between God and human beings. Each one has its own character and tone. Some are quiet and gentle. Some are angry. Some are frightened and frightening. Some are simply fascinating and surprising. This conversation between God and Abraham … Continue reading Prayer Note #24 — Haggling With God–Genesis 18:16-33
Pastor Note #26 — After His Dad Died
{The following post is the text of a letter I wrote to a man in his early fifties shortly after his father died.} Dear F., There is an ache and strangeness that comes when our parents die. I don't think it really matters a lot how old we or they are when that happens. I … Continue reading Pastor Note #26 — After His Dad Died
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 