april-26-2009

Luke 24:36-48; 1 John 3:1-7

There is something unsettling about Jesus’ resurrection appearances. The peace that he proclaims is not the peace of the world. Jesus shows us his hands and his feet and calls us to see the cross not as failure but as the way of peace that leads to victory. There is an exchange of gifts as Jesus receives a meal of fish from his disciples and he feeds them with the Word of God. We too are fed by him and are witnesses of these things.

april-19-2009

John 20:19-31

In the immediate wake of the Resurrection, Jesus commissions the Church, giving them authority and power to continue His saving work in the world.  Just as with the disciples, and Thomas in particular, we often fail to join fuly in Jesus message because of fear and doubt.

 easter-day-2009

John 20:1-18

We join John, Peter, and Mary Magdalene in the joyous discovery of the Resurrection as we hear the voice of Jesus calling us to come to Him, to be changed by Him, and to carry on the work of the Kingdom of God!  Rejoice!  Jesus Lives!

easter-vigil-2009

Romans 6:3-11; Matthew 28:1-10

Jesus’ disciples are told to go to Galilee, where they will see Him.  Why Galilee?  God calls us precisely in light of who we are and where we have been, and He makes all things new, transforming our lives here in Bakersfield and to the ends of the earth!

good-friday-2009

Deacon LaMar, Deacon Walgenbach, Father Davis, Father Wilcox, and Father Dietze share meditations based on the seven last words of Christ from the Cross.

maundy-thursday-2009

John 13:1-17

In this enacted parable, Jesus calls us to understand the example of humble service we are to follow and the magnitude of gift of salvation offered to us in the Cross.

palm-sunday-2009

Philippians 2:5-11

Paul calls upon his readers to unity and harmony by having the same mind among them as they find in Jesus Christ: the mind of a humble servant.  It is in the events of Holy Week, in particular, that we see the heart of God in action as Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, went to the cross for our salvation.  As we keep ourselves close to Jesus, we find that we are able to love, serve, and give as He does, bringing peace and harmony to all our relationships - from church to work to family and friends.

 copy-of-bishop-mark-lawrence-sermon-33109

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Bishop Mark challenges us to follow Paul’s insight for Christian living and ministry.  We are to be trustworthy in the trials of ministry, transparent in life, and truthful with God’s Word.