in defense of all hallow's eve

Welcome to the show for Sunday, October 30, 2005. Today’s sermon is entitled “In Defense of All Hallow’s Eve” and was originally delivered today, Sunday, October 30, 2005.

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I may risk belaboring my listeners’ patience by mentioning again the earthquake that has devastated South Asia, but I must do so. Just this week the United Nations put out an urgent plea for more funding and stated that relief operations would have to be scaled back, putting millions of lives at risk if another 250 million is not raised immediately (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9848969). Even as our national media tires of covering this tragedy, it is mushrooming into a far deadlier disaster because of lack of aid, and it has already claimed tens of thousands of lives. Please do whatever you can to help to spare more victims. Www.networkforgood.org is a very good resource for researching aid organizations and provides a link from its home page to organizations assisting in the recovery efforts and easy ways to donate much needed funds for the recovery.

Many thanks to the PodSafe music network at music.podshow.com for today’s music. Today’s episode featured Vivisection’s “Prarie Ghosts."

"'The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.'"

autumnal overturn

Welcome to the show for Sunday, October 23, 2005. Today’s sermon is entitled “Autumnal Overturn” and was originally delivered today, Sunday, October 23, 2005.

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Before the sermon, its important to mention the earthquake in South Asia, that has primarily affected Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The death toll is above 50,000 in Pakistan alone and this morning’s New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/international/asia/23quake.html) reports that a second wave of deaths has begun, due to lack of medical care in a region that is overwhelmed by this disaster. Post tsunami and post-Katrina, we’re all surely suffering from compassion fatigue, but we must not let the incomprehensible nature of these tragedies overwhelm our urge to help in whatever way we can. Even as our national media tires of covering these tragedies, the needs created by them only grow. Www.networkforgood.org is a very good resource for researching aid organizations and provides a link from its home page to organizations assisting in the recovery efforts and easy ways to donate much needed funds for recovery.

"When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.'"

claiming odeo channel (please disregard):

My Odeo Channel (odeo/b18881acfe7b550a)

a fly in the ointment

(click on the title to listen or if you have iTunes, subscribe with one click button to right) Welcome to the show for Sunday, October 16, 2005. Today’s sermon is entitled “A Fly in the Ointment” and was originally delivered on Sunday, April 3, 2005.

Before the sermon, its important to mention the earthquake in South Asia, that has primarily affected Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The death toll is above 40,000 in Pakistan alone. Post tsunami and post-Katrina, we’re all surely suffering from compassion fatigue, but we must not let the incomprehensible nature of these tragedies overwhelm our urge to help in whatever way we can. Even as our national media tires of covering these tragedies, the needs created by them only grow. Www.networkforgood.org is a very good resource for researching aid organizations and provides a link from its home page to organizations assisting in the recovery efforts.

"In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

on shrouds, sheets and clothes

(click on the title to listen or if you have iTunes, subscribe with one click button to right) Welcome to the show for Sunday, October 9, 2005. Today’s sermon is entitled “On Shrouds, Sheets and Clothes” and was originally delivered today, Sunday, October 9, 2005.

More information about the conference organized by the Every Voice Network, Anglican Voices United for Justice: The conference is being held this coming weekend at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on October 13-15, and is entitled “Values, Vision and the via Media.” The conference opens Thursday, October 13, 1pm, at St. Alban’s Church (at the National Cathedral campus) with an address by journalist E. J. Dionne of the Washington Post. Speakers include Valerie Batts, Jim Wallis, John Danforth, David Korten and Jonathan Schell.

Registration for all sessions, banquets, and receptions being held at the National Cathedral and the Marriott is open for $255 a head ($85 for students). Registration for panels only (without banquet tickets) is $190 ($20 for students). Great deals for students!

Those in the DC/New York/Philadelphia area are encouraged to drop by the National Cathedral for whatever sessions most interest them. Day-attendance costs $20 ($10 for students). If you are interested, registration and contact information are available at http://www.everyvoice.net/values. Great deal for those just coming for a day! Many thanks, again, to Jo for alerting me to this terrific conference.

"'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests."

who's afraid of easter?

(click on the title to listen or if you have iTunes, subscribe with one click button to right) Welcome to the show for Sunday, October 2, 2005. Today’s sermon is entitled “Who’s Afraid of Easter” and was originally delivered on Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 11:00pm, Easter Vigil.

A short public service announcement before the musical intro: If you’re a regular or new and curious listener to A New Christian Manifesto, you will likely have an interest in a conference organized by the Every Voice Network, Anglican Voices United for Justice. The conference is being held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on October 13-15, and is entitled “Values, Vision and the via Media.” The blockbuster slate of speakers is certainly a draw as is the opportunity to find other folks who are committed to the idea that the gospel of Christ should always be honored as a liberal force for divine good within individual lives as well as our larger national and global community. I do not come out of the Anglican tradition, but seeing events like this conference makes me sometimes wish I did. The registration fee for students is very reasonable and financial scholarships are available. If you are interested, registration and contact information are available at http://www.everyvoice.net/values. Many thanks to Jo for alerting me to this terrific conference.

"His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."