George Hermanson

A Surprising Answer

Year C
Season of Pentecost
Sunday Between July 10 to July 16 Inclusive
July 11, 2010, Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Read the Bible passage: Amos 7:7-17, The Message;   or   Amos 7:7-17, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Read the Bible passage: Luke 10:25-37, The Message;   or   Luke 10:25-37, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Faith-provoking, historical insights into the lesson by David Ewart, Luke 10:25-37.

Click here: George Hermanson's sermon, for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this sermon.

The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

In our times of terrorists and wars, where we read about those who seek our ill-will we have this challenging parable of Jesus. On first reading it seems to tell us that we are to love one another as we love ourselves. It seems to be a variation on the golden rule. It goes beyond what is demanded and sets a standard that asks much of us.

It starts out innocently. Luke has Jesus engaged in a advance seminar about the law. A good question is asked about what is the most crucial thing we can do with our life - what is the most basic attitude we must have to have a fulfilled life? Jesus responds with the summary of the what was considered to be the law - Love God. Love self. Love the neighbor.

Why The Emerging Church Needs Process Theology

More Franchises - A Second Cup
United Church of Canada
June 19-20, 2010
Toronto, ON   Canada
Workshop List (PDF)  

Part One

George Hermanson http://www.georgehermanson.com

(Part Two by James Murray follows below.)

We live in a complex world of pluralism. Institutions and ideas are questioned. This creates a tension, because our world as we have known it is challenged by other ideas. There is a tension caused by differences of color and cultures. Because our reality is changing, for some this is a threat to our way of life, and for others a time to celebrate for it brings more color and vividness. In our theological world we often frame the issue as conservative verse liberal, theist or non theist.

Into A Far Country

Year C
Season of Pentecost
Sunday Between July 3 to July 9 Inclusive
July 4, 2010, Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

Read the Bible passage: 2 Kings 5:1-14, The Message;   or   2 Kings 5:1-14, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Read the Bible passage: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, The Message;   or   Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Faith-provoking, historical insights into the lesson by David Ewart, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.  

Click here: George Hermanson's sermon, for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this sermon.

After church we are leaving for a brief trip to visit friends. Suzanne has done her usual due diligence of preparation. Got the Google maps. We figure out what we will need by checking the weather forecasts. Lay out our things. Wonder if we are taking too much or not enough. Worry. Seek for just right information as we go into a far country.

Planning is big on our agenda -for we want to make the best use of our time and we want to arrive without too many distractions. There is an irony to all of this because we live a time a great prosperity, yet with great dissatisfaction. We have genuine shortage of time, and deep shortage of deep spirituality. There is a deficit in meaning and both rich and poor are afflicted by this deficit. To fill the emptiness many turn to consumption which in turn commodifies us. Rather than growing free time for compassion, we are even more closed in - worried, scared. Prosperity has exacted a terrible price from its favourites.

Forgiveness

Year C
Season of Pentecost
Sunday Between June 12 to June 18 Inclusive
June 13, 2010, Third Sunday After Pentecost

Read the Bible passage: Luke 7:36-8:3, The Message;   or   Luke 7:36-8:3, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Faith-provoking, historical insights into the lesson by David Ewart, Luke 7:36-8:3.  

Click here: George Hermanson's sermon, for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this sermon.

The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

Let us use our imagination for a moment. You have seen this scene in such TV programs like Rome, or some movie about ancient Rome. Picture the room when the dinner is being held. A group of men is at a table and they are eating in the Roman style. See them on a couch. That means two people on a couch, this is so intimate conversations can happen. Those who get invited are the elite of the village - those who are learned in the Law. High level of conversation. Behind them are the outsiders, who can only approach in supplication.

The first thing to ask is why this Roman style of eating? It tells us much about the context of Luke’s story. This means those there had become captive to the culture of the oppressor.

What's On Your Resume

Year C
Season of Pentecost
Sunday Between June 5 to June 11 Inclusive
June 6, 2010, Second Sunday After Pentecost

Read the Bible passage: Galatians 1:11-24, The Message;   or   Galatians 1:11-24, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Read the Bible passage: Luke 7:11-17, The Message;   or   Luke 7:11-17, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Faith-provoking, historical insights into the lesson by David Ewart, Luke 7:11-17.  

Click here: George Hermanson's sermon, for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this sermon.

The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

In our reading of Galatians there is a travel log. Often when someone tells us of a trip our eyes glaze over. Did your eyes glaze over when you were listening to the letter of Paul to the Galatians? All those towns and places he visited. He talks about his former vocation and now his new mission. Think of it as a resume. He is telling us about what is important to him and what motivates his passion. His resume begins with what is important to how he lives.

As you now know this Sunday is a celebration of the 85th anniversary of the United Church of Canada. The question for our future is what is our business? What is so important we will give our lives to it. In part, we answer that by what is on the resume of the church and how that has informed our personal Christian resume.