A sermon based on Luke 9:28-43a given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on March 3, 2019 by Rev. Scott Elliott Welcome to our fifth Peace Sunday. The last time I preached on a Peace Sunday back in January it was Epiphany a Holy Day on the church calendar. Today it is Transfiguration Sunday another Holy Day. […]
A sermon based on Genesis 45:3-11, 15 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on February 24, 2019 by Rev. Scott Elliott When I selected our lesson from the Lectionary readings for today my intent to write a different sermon that the one you are about to hear. That’s not unusual, I often plan to write about […]
A Black History Month Sermon A sermon based on Luke 6:17-26 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on February 17, 2019 by Rev. Scott Elliott I grew up in the Bay Area and was raised a diehard San Francisco Giants fan. In the baseball era of my younger days one had to be “diehard” because the […]
A sermon based on John 2:1-11 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on January 20, 2019 by Rev. Scott Elliott Over the years I have read a number of books and articles and even studied in seminary about ways to welcome visitors to church. The books and classes and studies show what probably will sound obvious, […]
A sermon based on Mark 1:4-11 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio, on January 13, 2019* (2012) by Rev. Scott Elliott Baptism is one of two sacraments we recognize in the UCC (the other is communion). Sacraments are traditionally described as outward signs instituted by God to convey or give sign of inward grace. Jesus began […]
A sermon based on Matthew 2:1-12 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio, on January 6, 2019 by Rev. Scott Elliott Yesterday was the 12th Day of Christmas when wassailing for some still takes place. Wassailing traditionally involved walking the last night of the Christmas season, the 12th Night, in gratitude to where livestock are visited, cider […]
A sermon based on Matthew 1: 18-25: Luke 1:26-38 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on December 23, 2018 by Rev. Scott Elliott We just heard Pastor Mearle read a bit of Luke’s Nativity story, the part tradition often refers to as “The Annunciation.” At the start of the service I read as our invocation a […]
A sermon based on Luke 2:8-20 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on December 16, 2018 by Rev. Scott Elliott The angel of the Lord in the very midst of the glory of the Lord famously declares in our reading today : “ Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great […]
A sermon based on Luke 2:1-7 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on December 9, 2018 by Rev. Scott Elliott Thanksgiving has come and gone. Advent began a week ago. Our Christmas greens are up. Holiday music is playing in stores and on the radio. In fact it is almost impossible to go out without encountering […]
A sermon based on John 18:33-37 given at Mount Vernon, Ohio on November 25, 2018 * by Rev. Scott Elliott Today’s Lectionary text depicts a portion of Jesus’ trial before Pilate with some religious elite serving as prosecutors. The story comes up today because it’s Reign of Christ Sunday the end of the church calendar […]