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Proper 10 (A) We Never Know

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Proper 10 (A) We Never Know July 14, 2002 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell What I am holding in my hand, I learned as a young boy to call a “ lucky stone .” It was one of the many special rewards of some serious beachcombing on the shores of Lake Michigan in Winnetka, Illinois. I still think they’re pretty neat. Not long ago Margaret and I found this one on the Oregon coast. I see it as one of Mother Nature’s works of art. The result of many years, decades, centuries (who knows how long) of the eroding effects of the friction of sand and water. I offer it today as a symbol; not of luck, but of perseverance . Action: Put the red ribbon through the hole of the stone—then hang it around my neck. If there is any luck in this “lucky stone” it would be the luck of finding it in time to use it as a sermon illustration. The way I see it, my chances of good fortune were about the same as anyone else walking the beach. Admittedly, I may have a more practiced eye. I’ve never had much faith in luck. ...
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Proper 9 (A) – Involved in Christ’s Perfection

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  Proper 9 (A) – Involved in Christ’s Perfection July 5, 1987 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell I think that some of you have heard me say that in Martin Luther ’s opinion the Epistle to the Romans is the clearest Gospel of them all. Paul not only presents the Good News of God’s love, he tells us how we may apply it to our lives. You may have noticed that the Sunday Year A lectionary has the whole Church on a course study of Romans, running from June 1 through the middle of September. In today’s reading, Paul explains how we are liberated from our congenital, self-centered, sinful nature . Paul understood our frustration very well. He knew what was wrong, and the last thing he wanted was to do it (what was wrong); yet, somehow, he did. In another place Paul speaks for all of us when he writes: The things I say I do not want to do... I do. And the things I know I should do... I don’t. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this certain crash course that I am on? That all of us ...
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Proper 7 (A) – The Enormous Responsibility, Opportunity, and Joy of Parenthood

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Proper 7 (A) – The Enormous Responsibility, Opportunity, and Joy of Parenthood June 21, 1981 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Today is Father's Day , and because we deviated from the assigned propers on Mother's Day, I felt it would only be fair to do the same on the day set aside on the secular calendar to celebrate dads. I offer this sermon to the glory of God and dedicate it to our four children: Kathy (married and living in Ketchikan, Alaska ), Debbie (taking care of St. Paul's little people around the corner), Martha, and David (right now sitting on their pea combines working harvest). Side note: That was where we were in 1981. I say this not to bemoan the fact that none of our children are present to hear my Father's Day sermon, but to illustrate that all too quickly there comes the time when our children want to go their own way. Pray God help us all celebrate our families while we are together. Each age is special—from "Mr. Campbell, you are the father of a bab...
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Proper 8 (A) Now That’s What I Call Religion!

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Proper 8 (Year A) Now That's What I Call Religion! July 2, 2017 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Today's short reading from Matthew's Gospel ends on a positive note: "Truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." Even giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty makes you an apprentice of Jesus Christ. The dictionary defines reward as "a return made for something done." For example: Her hard work and positive attitude were rewarded with a promotion. His laziness and constant complaining were rewarded with his dismissal. Jesus was always urging His disciples to reach out in the name of love. It doesn't matter whether those you are reaching out to are important leaders or the poor and powerless—simply reach out in love. And, Jesus would add, reaching out doesn't require a capital fund drive. A cup of cold water will convey love's message: You are welcome here. Our son Dave, as the director of a church camp, goes a step beyond a cu...
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Proper 6 (C) Did You Enjoy it?

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Proper 6 (C) Did You Enjoy it? July 2, 1995 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell I have a Jewish friend in Walla Walla who believes that in the last analysis God will judge us according to our deeds. If our constructive good deeds outweigh our destructive evil deeds, we can expect that God will have us.  I have known many people who think of themselves as Christians who believe the same thing. Their aim is to make themselves right with God by their own actions. We have to jump through all the hoops we think that God has put in front of us. (We do it out of pride). There are two major problems with this approach; 1) It doesn’t work. 2) It hammers the joy out of living.  There are only three options open to those who believe the must achieve perfection by keeping God’s laws;      1) Option one, they are honest enough to admit their human frailties and stay away.       Example) My Dad used to say that the reason he didn’t go to church was because the ro...
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After Ascension (A) He Will (Has) Come Again.

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After Ascension (A) He Will (Has) Come Again. June 1, 2014 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell If I were to ask you to point to heaven which way would most of us point? “ Up ” of course. We get some clues from today’s readings. From Acts; “When He said this, as they were watching He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. While He was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”  Then why do so many invocators at our Rotary meetings call us to prayer by saying, “Let us bow our heads.” And why is it now OK in the Episcopal Church to pray while standing instead of kneeling? (Since both postures are OK our presiding Bishop John Allen said that the important thing is that the one kneeling or standing are not glowering at each other). And why, on occasions like “ Rogation Sunday ” do we pray in procession while looking all over the place?  Note: Rogation Sunday is...
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Trinity Sunday (A) Created in His Image

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Trinity Sunday (A) Created in His Image June 14, 1981 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell I wonder how many people have said to me, “Well, you know Father, when it all comes out in the wash – in the end – we all believe in the same God.” So, they say, “There is no need to get all hot and bothered about our religious differences. We’re all going to end up in the same place anyway.” And with that simple, broad, general statement, they are comforted…. that everyone, including themselves, will somehow fit into God’s ultimate, loving scheme of things. “Frankly Father,” they would say, “The way I see it, we are all headed for the same place.”   My guess is that most of us usually don’t bite on a statement like that. We back off because we suspect that the discussion will get all mired down in our stumbling religious vocabulary, and we will end up loosing a potential friend arguing about a loving God. So, we respond with something like, “Let’s hope the place we are all going to end up is heaven, a...
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