Category: Sermons

Reverend Nancy Gill’s Sermon

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent – Year B

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Claremore

Is. 61:1-4, 8-11 & Ps. 126 / 1 Thes. 5:16-24 / John 1:6-8, 19-28

The Rev. Nancy Gill

Advent III: Joy (I Hope, II Peace, IV Love)

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,” John the Baptist declared in our Gospel lesson today, “‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” (v23)

Have you ever been in a wilderness? Sometimes translated “desert,” the wilderness is by definition “an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region; a neglected or abandoned area; or, a position of disfavor.” (wilderness) Perhaps you have been physically present in a geographical wilderness; and perhaps you have dwelt for a time in a metaphorical wilderness – I would venture to say that we have all had this experience.

According to statistics found in my research, it is estimated that approximately 300 million individuals suffer from depression. And would you believe that, even

for folks who don’t normally suffer from this affliction, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time of year? That’s right, it’s not ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ for everyone. I certainly have, periodically, spent great chunks of time in spiritual and emotional deserts, even – maybe especially – during the holidays. I have gritted my teeth upon being reminded, as the writer of 1 Thessalonians exhorts us, to “rejoice always.” (5:16) I have actually shaken my fists and cried out to God, “I don’t feel grateful right now; but because you desire it, I’m saying ‘thank you’ anyway.”

Maybe this is a little bit of what John the Baptist was feeling when he claimed to be ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness.’ As Fr. Bill reminded us last week, JB was not your typical prophet. He dressed funny and ate strange food, and he was generally misunderstood by the religious leaders who should have been the ones to ‘get it,’ if anyone was going to recognize him for who he was.

But maybe there is a little clue for us in what he said: “Make straight the way of the Lord.”

What is this “way of the Lord?” Let us look to our Advent wreath for some possible explanations.

1. Two weeks ago, we lit the first candle, and we were reminded that the way of the Lord is a journey of Hope. We recall that throughout history God remains faithful. No matter what life’s circumstances may hold, God is with us.

2. Last week, we lit the second candle which reminds us that the way of the Lord is Peace. Scripture tells us that this peace surpasses all understanding, for we can access it at all times, no matter what our circumstances.

3. Today, we lit the pink candle, a reminder that the way of the Lord is Joy. This is not a toxic joy – the ‘in your face,’ ‘smile, it’s not that bad,’ kind of fake and fleeting happiness. This is a deep sense of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and care. God is our

source of joy and delight. Like peace, we can tap into this source at all times.

4. Next week, we will light the fourth candle, symbolizing Love. During this season of Advent, don’t we wait with anticipation for the coming of the Christ child? And didn’t that child ultimately give his life as proof of how much God loves us?

Sometimes, when I pray, I like to go to a quiet little niche in my bedroom which I have set up especially for the purpose of spending time with God. When I sit in that chair, I imagine that I am leaning into God’s loving embrace. Perhaps I repeat a soothing mantra, such as God’s promise from the book of Jeremiah: “I know the plans I have for you…to give you a hope.” Or perhaps, I simply breathe, and focus on each inhalation and exhalation. I close my eyes and allow myself to feel how much I am loved by the God of eternity, by the God of all creation; and I remember that this same God desires personal relationship with me.

And that is the key to accessing genuine Hope, Peace, and Joy. When you find yourself in the midst of the wilderness, be intentional about spending time in God’s loving embrace. Better yet, develop a habit of spending time with God before you wander into the desert and see how much better you are able to cope the next time life seems barren.

Finally, remember that, like John the Baptist, yours may be ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness’ for others to hear. You are God’s messenger. I encourage you to be so grounded in ‘the way of the Lord’ – in God’s Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love – that you cannot help but ‘make straight’ this path for those around you.

I invite you to pray with me the words of this well-known prayer:

Lord, make [us] an instrument[s] of your peace. Where there is hatred, let [us] sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

Amen.

Fr Bill Martin’s Sermon 12/10/23

Sunday, December 3, 2023
First Sunday of Advent – Year B – Track 2
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Claremore
Is. 64:1-9 & Ps. 80:1-7, 16-18 / 1 Cor. 1:3-9 / Mk. 13:24-37
The Rev. Nancy Gill

Advent I: Hope (II Peace, III Joy, IV Love)
The author of our OT lesson sounds like he could be
writing for a 21st-century audience. “O that you would
tear open the heavens and come down,” (v1) he writes.
With everything that is happening in our world today, we
can certainly relate to that sense of desperation. War in
Ukraine, war in Gaza, rises in the number of hate crimes,
the growing political divide, the growing social divide,
school children being shot down, going hungry, lacking
clothing and shelter. It all makes us want to shake our
fists and cry, “how much longer?” And yet, built into that
expression of grief and frustration is also a statement of
faith, an expression of hope. We know deep down that, as
the old adage states, “this too shall pass,” and we trust
that God will get us through.

The writers of scripture are quick to remind us of this
hope that we have. The author of our epistle lesson today
declares confidently, “God is faithful.” (v9) The psalmist
records the exhortation, “be still and know that I am
God.” (46:10) The composer of Isaiah chapter 40 assures
us that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their
strength.” (v31) And the prophet Jeremiah prompts us to
remember God’s promise, “I know the plans I have for
you…to give you a hope.” (29:11) Even our gospel lesson
today, illudes to this concept when Jesus instructs his
listeners to “keep awake!” (v37)

Today, this first Sunday of Advent, we light the Hope
candle. Sometimes called the Prophecy candle, this first
candle reminds us of the foretelling of the birth of Christ
by the OT prophets, especially Isaiah, and of all the
promises God gave us which would be fulfilled by the
birth of Jesus. (hallow)

In preparation for today’s sermon, I read several
articles about hope – one out of the University of
California, Berkley, one from Harvard University, a
couple out of Psychology Today – and each one discussed
the importance of having hope. Dr. Adam P. Stern,
professor at Harvard Medical School, writes that scientific
studies are now beginning to recognize the value of hope:
“Among young adults with chronic illnesses, greater
degrees of hope are associated with improved coping,
well-being, and engagement in healthy behaviors. It also
protects against depression and suicide. Among teens,
hope is linked with health, quality of life, self-esteem, and
a sense of purpose. It is an essential factor for developing
both maturity and resilience…. When grounded in
realism,” he states, “hope serves many positive
functions.” (Harvard Health)

Dr. Everett L. Worthington Jr., professor emeritus at
Virginia Commonwealth University, defines hope as “a
motivation to persevere toward a goal or end state, even if
we’re skeptical that a positive outcome is likely.” He goes
on to say that “hope involves activity, a can-do attitude
and a belief that we have a pathway to our desired
outcome. Hope is the willpower to change and the way-
power to bring about that change.” (berkeley.edu)
Worthington suggests that there are practical ways to
develop and build hope, among which are engaging with a
spiritual or religious community, practicing forgiveness,
and studying the lives of people whom he refers to as
“heroes of hope,” such as Nelson Mendella (and I might
also add Ghandi, the Dahli Lamma, Desmond Tutu,
Michael Curry, Jesus).

Writing for Psychology Today, Dr. Constance
Scharff agrees that hope is something that can be
developed. Some things she recommends include
cultivating hope by focusing on what you can change,
practicing Mindfulness (focusing on the here and now,
rather than on the bad things that could happen),
developing a spiritual life, being of service to others, and
practicing gratitude. (7 Ways)
With all of this talk about hope, is it possible to have
too much – for hope to become toxic?

Author Polly Campbell cautions that it is important to remember that
“Hope [is not] delusional. It isn’t denial. It doesn’t ignore
the real challenges, details of the diagnosis, or dwindling
money in the checking account. It is not woo-woo
thinking. It doesn’t ignore the trouble, or make excuses,
or deny danger. It is not pretending. It is acknowledging
the truth of the situation and working to find the best way
to cope. It’s showing up and working through the hard
stuff, believing that something better is possible.
It’s resilient.” (Why Hope)

For us as Christians, our hope – our faith in God’s
promises of faithfulness – is what grounds us. It is also
what motivates us. The world in which we live is in
chaos, but we are a people who believe in the God who
creates beauty out of chaos, and does so over and over
again. And, we are a people who do our best to share that
hope with those around us who are in such need of it. In
the words of famed poet Emily Dickinson:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all
And sweetest in the Gale is heard
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm
I’ve heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest Sea
Yet never in Extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
There is hope! We have it within us; may we not
hesitate to share it!

There is hope! We have it within us; may we not
hesitate to share it!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ending-addiction-good/202007/7-ways-cultivate-hope-even-in-trying-times

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_hope_can_keep_you_happier_and_healthier

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/imperfect-spirituality/201902/why-hope-matters

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hope-why-it-matters-202107162547

https://images.app.goo.gl/2Ld62GMZG1ML564Q8

Fr Bill Martin’s Sermon

Fr. Bill Martin’s Sermon 11/19/23

Rev. Nancy Gill’s Sermon

We were honored to have a visit from The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall this Sunday. Here is her sermon.

Rev. Nancy Gill’s Sermon

Fr. Bill Martin’s Sermon 10/22/23

Reverend Nancy Gill’s Sermon 10/15/23

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 23 – Year A – Track 2

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Claremore

Is. 25:1-9 & Ps. 23 / Phil. 4:1-9 / Mt. 22:1-14

The Rev. Nancy Gill

“The Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king.” (Mt. 22:2) This king is generous; he prepared a huge banquet for all the guests at his son’s wedding. This banquet involved a lavish feast for which only the best foods were prepared. The guests would be full and pampered. The only problem was that the people for whom this banquet had been planned, those on the prestigious guest list, chose not to come. Furthermore, they mistreated those who were sent to bring them to the table. So, rightfully indignant, but still generous, the king enacts judgement on those who had harmed his messengers while, at the same time, issuing invitations to anyone and everyone else to come and partake in this celebration. So, the banquet hall is filled with guests eager to accept this king’s hospitality.

I don’t know about you; but so far, I like this king. He is lavishly giving, he defends those who have been wrongfully abused, and he welcomes one and all into his home. As the story of this king is one of the many analogies used to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, and given that this kingdom is said to be within me (us), I’m feeling pretty good about possessing it and about sharing it with others!

And then…I read verses 11-13. In this part of the story, the king sees that one of the guests present isn’t dressed the way he believes a wedding guest should be attired; so he has this guest bound and thrown out. Now, perhaps by this time, it was so far past the time when the banquet was scheduled to begin that the king was so hungry (or hangry) that he couldn’t control his anger; but this is the part of the story that I want to ignore – that this king and his actions are analogous to the kingdom of heaven is a little difficult to accept. I don’t want to think about the fact that I am this king in the sense that I also

possess the capacity for such cruelty. But, of course, I do have to face this reality: I carry within myself the power to act with vast and merciful generosity and grace; but I also have the potential for extremely harsh and devastating viciousness. It also occurs to me that, just as the king had this man cast into utter darkness where there was “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” (v13) my actions can have equally ruinous and traumatic results.

I know that Jesus is the one telling this parable; but given what we know about the character of Jesus, I like to think that, had he been present at this wedding banquet, he would have done something to prevent this poor guest from being thrown out. Perhaps he would have found an extra robe for the man, or even given him his own. It is likely, given his fondness for posing questions, that he would have asked the king whether it was not within his power to change the “rules for dress” in his own home. Undoubtedly, he would have invited the man to join him at his table; and would have, thereafter, been seen on

more than one occasion conversing with this man in the town square or walking about the village.

In our own day and age, the invitation to the banquet is still open. Every Sunday – and on various other special occasions – we celebrate the feast of our Savior. The host of this celebration still extends the invitation to any and all who will accept it. We, as followers of Christ, are like the messengers who issue the invitation, and we are also like the king who decides which guests will be welcomed. We are given these opportunities to respond as Jesus would have responded. Indeed, it has been my observation that the people of St. Paul’s Claremore almost always choose to be generously hospitable. I pray that God’s hand will always be with us and keep us from ever causing harm. As our collect for the day says, may God’s grace “always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”