IN WITH THE NEW Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church December 31, 2017, 1st Sunday after Christmas, Year B Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Luke 2:22-40 “Simeon took [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation…’” Luke […]
A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church December 2, 2017; Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger…” Luke 2:7 “Joseph, son of David,” says the angel, “do not be afraid to […]
THE ROAD AHEAD Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church December 17, 2017; Non-lectionary sermon Psalm 25:1-10; Mark 1:1-8 “…the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…’” Mark 1:3 So, where do you begin the story of Christmas? If you’re the Gospel-writer Luke, […]
GRACE AND GRATITUDE Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church November 26, 2017; Thanksgiving Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Luke 17:11-19 “…then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…” Deuteronomy 8:14 Well, I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. We […]
THE SAD TALE OF THE BURIED GIFT Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church November 19, 2017; 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 25:14-30 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; […]
LIFE THAT REALLY IS LIFE Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church November 12, 2017; Non-lectionary sermon Psalm 16; 1 Timothy 6:13-21 “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may […]
UNTANTALIZED Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church November 5, 2017; Non-lectionary sermon Proverbs 22:1-9; 1 Timothy 6:6-12 “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:9 Every once in a while, an occupation […]
THE REFORMATION AT 500 Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church October 29, 2017; Non-lectionary sermon Habbakuk 2:1-4, Romans 1:16-18; Ephesians 2:1-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:8 He was, by all accounts, a compliant young man. […]
OUR LABOR OF LOVE: FIVE YEARS LATER Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church October 19, 2017; 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Psalm 46; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 “…constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 […]
THE TRUE PEACEMAKER Carl Wilton Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church October 8, 2017; 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Matthew 25:47-52 “You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13 We begin today with a saying attributed to St. Augustine: “Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger […]