Sermon Texts

Sermons I have written over the years.

The woods at night. — On Ash Wednesday, I had the privilege of sharing the meditation during chapel at United Methodist Communications. Texts: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b –6:10 Since reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s Learning to Walk in the Dark, I have become more keenly aware of all the lights in my life. We put them everywhere. The […]

Walking in the Dark: Ash Wednesday meditation

15 Feb, 2018 in Devotional / Sermon Texts by Joe

Some answers from the New Orleans wall. — I shared this meditation during Ash Wednesday worship at United Methodist Communications today. One day, not far from her home in New Orleans, artist Candy Chang noticed a large abandoned building. “I thought about how I could make this a nicer space for my neighborhood,” she said during her TED […]

Before I die, I want to… : A meditation for ...

10 Feb, 2016 in Devotional / General / Sermon Texts tagged Ash Wednesday / Candy Chang / death / Easter / Guy Raz / Lent / NPR / TED Radio Hour / TED Talks by Joe

Sermon Series: I Am a Follower: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus Part II Text: John 18:28-38 Preached: October 12, 2014 at Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church Audio: Tri-Lakes UMC Sermon Podcasts “The Truth Is Out There” For 9 seasons this opening played on prime time television, even following a Super Bowl once—I remember because […]

Veritas: The Truth – Sermon Text

14 Oct, 2014 in Sermon Texts by Joe

Preached at Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church July 27, 2014 Text: Luke 10:25-37 Listen to it HERE Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Many of us in this room grew up singing that song. Everyday at the appointed hour we sat down in front of a television and hung out in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. […]

Won’t You Be My Neighbor – Sermon Text

28 Jul, 2014 in Sermon Texts by Joe

Preached: June 22, 2014 at Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church Texts: Zechariah 14:16-21; Mark 9:2-9 Audio: HERE Can you relate? I can. As a kid growing up in New Jersey, I was surrounded by family. Within just a few minutes from my childhood home, lived both sets of grandparents, many of my aunts and uncles, […]

Time to Go – Sermon Text

27 Jun, 2014 in General / Sermon Texts by Joe

Preached: June 15, 2014 – Father’s Day – Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church Series: Beginnings: The Story of Genesis Part 8 Text: Genesis 50:15-21 (CEB) Audio: HERE We began by learning “Cast My Cares” In the middle of the night when worry finds me In the middle of a fight when strength is gone In the […]

Joseph’s 50/20 Vision – Sermon Text

14 Jun, 2014 in General / Sermon Texts by Joe

Series: Beginnings: The Story of Genesis Part 4 Text: Genesis 7:11-24 Preached: Sunday, May 18 at Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church Audio: HERE I showed an edited version of this clip at the opening to get us all on the same page. Many of us, especially those who have been part of the church literally for as […]

Christian, writer, husband, father