Ernest F. Campbell Selected Sermons

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...

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...

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...

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...