by Melissa Kelly | Apr 26, 2026 | Easter, Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 3, Sermons
A Complicated Character Paul is a complicated character, to say the absolute least. We get a whole range of behaviors from Paul in just this one story: from a callous disregard of one, to intimate concern for another, to a courageous act in solidarity with a whole...
by Melissa Kelly | Apr 12, 2026 | Easter, Megan Ramer, Sermons
Sent in the manner… The disciples are afraid and lock themselves into a room. When Jesus appears and speaks peace to them, Thomas is not there. Thomas must be either fearless, or brave (feels fear, but has left the locked room anyway). After speaking peace into...
by Melissa Kelly | Mar 29, 2026 | Lent, Megan Ramer, Sermons
What’s in a Sign? Pilate’s sign, posted on Jesus’ cross, proves a source of consternation for the Jewish leaders. They exhort him to edit its message, but he definitively cuts off any hope of debate: “What I’ve written, I’ve written.” In a variety of settings, signs...
by Melissa Kelly | Mar 22, 2026 | Lent, Megan Ramer, Sermons
No King; But Kin Both the cruelty and wondrousness of humans transcends time and space. As we read this terrible story (with great care!), it’s imperative that we remember both of these things are true. May we remain eyes wide open about the complete betrayal of “We...
by Melissa Kelly | Feb 22, 2026 | Lent, Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 3, Sermons
First Lines & Buried Seeds Not all is as MEH as it first appears when John embarks on the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Palm fronds and an ancient plea turned praise adorn the political street theatre of Jesus astride a baby donkey. It calls to mind the...
by Melissa Kelly | Feb 15, 2026 | Epiphany, Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 3, Sermons
Laughter, Outcasts, and Getting Things Wrong It’s another fraught healing story, so we say a few quiet parts out loud, e.g. OF COURSE SIN DOESN’T CAUSE DISABILITY! And then we notice a few key moments from the story of the man whose sight is restored by Jesus’ mud....
