Ernest F. Campbell Selected Sermons

 Last Epiphany C The Eternal Now February 22, 2004 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell It has been said that, “Men don’t change mountains, mountains change men.” If anyone should ever ask me, why mountain climbing is worth the effort, and the risk...that is the answer! The men and women who climb mountains will come to a new understanding of their own limitations, and a better understanding of how they fit into the big picture. When I arrived at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, from the flat lands of Illinois, the majesty of the Teton range blew me away. There they were, shooting up out of the valley floor. Snow covered and to my eyes, somewhat foreboding. While others talked about the awesome experience of reaching the summit, I frankly had no interest. Then in my third summer after numerous day hikes in the foothills of the Teton Range, the summit, in some mysterious way began to tug at me.  Over the years I have learned to call that tug, divine discontent. A restlessness that, if you let it,...

                                     What is a Counselor? Teton Valley Ranch, Wyoming, 1959By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell (pictured back row, far right) [This was a talk give to counselors at the beginning of the camping season at the Teton Valley Ranch in Jackson Hole  Wyoming—Ernie’s remarks are an encouragement and a reminder of the great responsibility it is to be a camp counselor] Who is a Camp Counselor? A camp counselor is not a “something” -- he or she is first, a somebody.  Many people think of counselors as being; storytellers, instructors, camping experts, etc. The truth is,  that the best counselors are not just outstanding because of skills they may have – but also because they  are great people. Before they were counselors, they were...

 Epiphany 7 C It is Doable! February 18, 2001 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Jesus said to His disciple, “Are you guys ready for this? What I am going to tell you will be hard, but it’s God’s eternal truth. It is the very essence of what I have come to teach, and even though it’s hard, I believe it’s doable, and in the name of life and peace, it must be done. Are you listening? Love your enemies. You know because I used the word “agape” that I’m not talking about the kind of love that you have for someone of the opposite sex, or the love you have for a good buddy. I’m talking about the kind of love that is willing to see people as God sees them. God made them. God loves them. It is the kind of love that is willing to look through the mess people make of things in order to see their divine potential. the kind of love that when it sees the worst, tries to bring out the best. The kind of love that is willing to get prayerfully engaged with the creator of life when someone is giving us a b...

 Epiphany 6 C Look at Yourself February 15, 1998 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell “Look at yourself!” “Just look at yourself!” I wonder how many of us have been confronted by these arresting words? Depending on the tone of voice and the facial expression that accompany them, they usually are interpreted to mean that something about us is out of line. I remember when I joined the Cub Scouts, standing proudly in front of my dad in my brand-new uniform. Mom had just finished sewing on all the insignia. My Father, who was an old army man, looked me up and down and said, “Very neat, but what about your shoes?” I was wearing my every-day oxfords with crepe soles showing serious scuff marks. In fact, “scuff” would have been a more accurate description of the color than the original brown. Once my dad had me focused, he made his point, “Your shoes are a part of the uniform.” At age nine I had never given that connection a thought. Isn’t it true that we often need an objective point-of-view in o...

 Epiphany 6 C A Level Playing Field February 11, 2001 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Hubert Humphrey is quoted as saying that, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life – the children; those who are in the twilight of life – the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life – the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” If we do not see the importance of this statement (as it may relate to ourselves or members of our family) is what I would call “whistling in the dark” denial. All, no matter what our station or status, will experience the dawn, twilight, and shadows of life. Shel Silverstein; a poet, a folksinger, and a brave man once sang – “Oh, the Slitheree-Dee, he crawled out of the sea. He may catch all the others, but he won’t catch me.” The second verse, “No you won’t catch me, old Slitheree-Dee, you may catch all the others, but you…. SLURP!” The point here is clear. Even though we don’t want to face it; we are all in the ...

  Who was Ernie Campbell? Born on August 17 the , 1927 in Evanston, Illinois.  Ernie died, on March 27 the , 2023 at his home in Walla Walla, Washington. He was 95 years old.  Ernest Francis Campbell was a; son, brother, friend,  camper, counselor, singer, story-teller, mountain  climber, backpacker, priest, sailor, leader, Rotarian, mentor, husband, father and above all, a  good man. This blog is a collection of his writing, his  words, preached to various congregations, at  different times in history over the years that he  served as a priest in the Episcopal church. Why read these sermons? I once asked him, “Dad, what is a sermon?” He paused and then answered, “A sermon is me -- working  out my faith, out-loud.” Reading these sermons can give a glimpse into the life of a Godly man,  working out his faith, with honest reflection, for the people he served and loved. I believe that  spending time with him, in these sermons, can...

 Epiphany 5 C Finding Heroes February 7, 2010 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell On March 17th I have been invited to be the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast. Because I saw a connection with “heroes” and today’s proper’s, I titled this sermon, “Finding Heroes.” If we were looking for heroes, where would we look? We would first have to ask, what or who is a hero? My dictionary defines “hero” as one who defies danger, exhibits bravery, and is daring and courageous. Occupations like Fireman, Police and the Military come quickly to mind. these men and women have to find the courage to put themselves in harms way. We read and hear of their heroic exploits every day. Yet, when they tell their story, they will inevitably say, with all humility, I was just doing my job. I just did what I was trained to do. At one point in my college days I became, after much instruction and practice, a WSI – Water Safety Instructor (WSI’s teach and certify people who want to be life g...

 Epiphany 5 C Faith is Action February 5, 1995 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell The season of Epiphany invites us to focus on God’s revelation of His presence and power in Jesus Christ. The announcer might say, let me remind you that when Jesus was born, three kings showed up and honored Him with gifts. And, remember when this same Jesus was baptized by John… a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my son, whom I love, with Him I am well please.” Then, don’t forget this… he changed water into wine, AND then in His home town synagogue, He identified Himself with Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah, “This very day, the work of the Messiah, that Isaiah foretold, is happening before your eyes!” In summary, what we have been looking at these past four Sundays, is the awesome light of God’s Ultimate Self-Disclosure in Jesus Christ. This Sunday’s Gospel story again reveals the power of Christ with the ‘Great Catch of Fish,’ but along with the miracle, there comes a challenge, “I will, says Jesu...

  Youth Work Epiphany 4 C The Nearest Mission Field February 1, 2004 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Last Monday at our weekly staff meeting Fr. Woolley gave us all an assignment. He said, “While Diana and I are vacationing in beautiful Hawaii, I want each of you to describe, in writing, the characteristics of the youth minister we should be looking for, and the job we want him or her to embrace. After a moment of reflective silence, someone had to clarify what Fr. Woolley had just said; in other words, while you are having fun, you want us to work on this assignment? Fr. Woolley looked pleased to have such a discerning staff. When I read verse seventeen of today’s psalm (Psalm 71), it dawned on me that I might accomplish two assignments with one preparation. Here’s the verse that caught my eye: Psalm 71:17 – “O God, you have taught me since I was young, and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.” When two things meet in space and time like the Rectors assignment and verse 17, I ca...