Authors /
T. Denise Anderson
T. Denise Anderson is director of compassion, peace, and justice ministries for the Presbyterian Church (USA).
November 24, Reign of Christ B (John 18:33–37)
What does it mean to have Christ as a king?
Finding rest (Hebrews 10:11-25)
Even as we seek practical solutions to our problems, we cannot afford to abandon the beliefs and spiritual practices that undergird us.
November 17, Ordinary 33B Mark 13:1-8
Jesus tells the disciples a hard truth: nothing you see here is going to last.
Why is the widow poor? (Mark 12:38-44)
So many stewardship sermons use the woman of Mark 12—lamentably—as an example of the kind of generosity to which we all should aspire.
November 10, Ordinary 32B (Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17)
Naomi is a climate refugee, displaced from her homeland by a natural disaster that results in widespread famine.
Hopes of the dying (1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38)
Death is inevitable for the living. It’s also a requisite for that which is yet to live.
March 3, Transfiguration C (Exodus 34:29–35; Luke 9:28–43a; 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2)
Jesus’ transfiguration should have implications for how its witnesses will live.
February 24, Epiphany 7C (Genesis 45:3–11, 15; Luke 6:27–38)
What if I’m the cheek-slapper, the thief, the opportunist?
Jesus gives his initial sermon (Matthew 5:1–2)
The preacher is still green! Maybe we'll hear something hopeful.
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A call to change careers (Matthew 4:12-23)
There was certainly nothing wrong with doing what I did before.
January 29, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (Matthew 5:1–12)
I don’t like this. When I mourn I want to not mourn anymore.
"I couldn't keep it to myself!"
Luke's Gospel gives us some wondrous glimpses into the life of John the Baptist. We have the compelling story of how his father, Zechariah, heard he'd soon be a daddy, disbelieved that revelation, and spent the entire pregnancy unable to speak.
But when he is finally able to speak, he speaks!
What to expect when we're not distracted
To hear Andy Williams tell it, right now is the most wonderful time of year. It is also the most frantic and maddening time of year. We've commenced our shopping, decorating, and planning for the "best Christmas ever." Or maybe we're completely stressed and wringing our hands because we have no idea how we'll pull it off this year.
Church leaders aren't exempt from the frenetic pace by any means, because we've had Advent on our brains for some time already.
December 6, Advent 2C (Luke 3:1-6)
This week’s Gospel proclaims a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Aren’t we looking to the arrival of Christ with hopeful anticipation, rather than weighing ourselves down with how screwed up we are?