George Hermanson

Welcome

June 29, 2008
Edwards (Knox) United Church
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Matthew 10:40-42
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The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

I am a people watcher. When I sit in Tim's I watch the interactions. Waiting at airports is also revealing about human interaction. And this year's Jazz festival, which by the way has been great, watching tells much about how we interact with others.

At airports, as we wait for the luggage, some crowd up to the luggage belt. Some stand back. Those who stand back can see the luggage come down and then you move in. Others push to the front and often miss because they are too close. Standing back gives one a larger view.

Receptivity

June 15, 2008
Edwards (Knox) United Church
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Matthew 9:35 - 10:8
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The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

Sometimes when we read our texts we wonder what did this mean?  For at times there appears to be a contradiction within the readings.  In Matthew we have one such confusion.  First, we read that there is a need for those to harvest a bumper crop, and then the disciples are called, and then instructions for the harvest are given.  Here is the puzzle - instructions to move on if there is resistance.

Hospitality

June 8, 2008
Edwards (Knox) United Church
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 12:1-9
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Matthew 9:9-13 and 9:18-26 (Note: the links below will open the entire passage Matthew 9:9-26)
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The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

Our texts are about the nature of call; what it means to respond to the aim of God.  The calling says something about the nature of God and when we respond, it has an impact on how we relate to one another and how that relating transforms.

The Genesis story is another identity formation story that is told in the creation of an identity as a people. Abram is called and given land. A responsibility comes with that calling. Abram is to bless those around him. He is called to live in peace with his neighbors. In a world of migration, this changes the nature of encounter - it is not one of conquest but of living in harmony. Now that call was not always lived. However, it is there in the memory of the people. That memory was and is used to call them back to a value of blessing when they forget. It has the possibility of, when lived, creating an attitude of hospitality and inclusion. This will change how we live with those different from us.

By Word and Action

June 1, 2008
Edwards (Knox) United Church
Third Sunday After Pentecost

Faith-provoking, historical insights by David Ewart, Holy Textures - Matthew 7:21-29.

Genesis 6:9-22 and 7:24 and 8:14-19 (The links below will open the entire passage from 6:9 to 8:19)
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Psalm 46
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Romans 1:16-17 and 3:22b-28 or also 3:29-31 (The links below will open the entire passage from 1:16 to 3:31)
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Matthew 7:21-29
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The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson

Our texts look at the relationship of God and creation.  They deal with two issues: God’s activity of giving paradise, that all things ultimately depend on God and that God’s aim, intentions, for creation is good and protective.  And then there is our response and how our actions reflect what we believe.

Yet, as we listened, we may have had a sense of discomfort.  We have, in the Psalm, advice to take a deep breath and not to react to the troubles of life out of fear and panic. It calls us to trust the divine presence.  And that appears to be in tension with the Noah story and the phrase in Matthew - "I never knew you."