Sermons

7/21/19 All Work and No Pray

All Work and No Pray by Rev. L. John GableJuly 21, 2019            Someone once said, “We know that the Bible is true because we find ourselves in it”, or a Coleridge said, “It finds me!”  By faith we claim that the Bible is the Word of God and the record of God’s...

7/7/19 Amen!

Amen! by Rev. L. John GableJuly 7, 2019             The young minister, new to his first call, wanted to introduce some liturgical responses into the worship service, so when he said, “The Lord be with you”, he instructed the congregation to respond, “And also with...

6/30/19 What Are You Going to Do Forever?

What Are You Going to Do Forever?June 30, 2019            Cartoonist Jules Feiffer once drew a series of sketches of an older couple sitting opposite each other who were obviously very bored.  Frame after frame neither of them stirs until the man finally asks his...

6/23/19 Daniel in Exile

Daniel in Exile by Rev. L. John GableJUne 23, 2019 (Daniel standing as a prisoner, wearing a simple robe with bands around his wrists)             Perhaps you have heard it said that “all gods have clay feet, save one.”  I learned that lesson early in life and it has...

6/16/19 The Fifth Easter

The Fifth Easter by Rev. L. John GableJune 16, 2019            This past Easter we looked together at what Franklin Ralls calls “the four Easters” which we experience.  The first is clearly the most significant.  It was the first Easter, nearly 2000 years ago, when by...

6/2/19 Ordinary Saints

Ordinary Saints by Rev. L. John GableJune 2, 2019            We come this morning to the next affirmation in our study of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in the communion of saints”, and I can’t quite decide whether this is the introduction of yet another aspect of...

5/26/19 One: The Holy Catholic Church

The Apostles' Creed: One--The Holy Catholic Church by Rev. L. John Gable May 26, 2019            Yesterday I had the privilege of performing the wedding ceremony of a young man who grew up in our church in Wisconsin who now lives in Cincinnati.  The Scripture lesson...

5/12/19 What Ever Happened to the Permanent Record?

What Ever Happened to the Permanent Record? by Rev. L. John GableMay 12, 2019 I mentioned earlier that my mother, just turned 95, is here this morning, so I thought I might be safe, in the company of numbers, to confess to the time, the one and only time I might add,...

5/5/19 I Go, You Stay; I Say, You Go

I Go, You Stay; I Stay, You Go by Rev. L. John GableMay 5, 2019            Those of you who follow the liturgical calendar are probably wondering why we are talking about the ascension today when today is not the Ascension Day. (Those of you who aren’t even sure what...

4/28/19 Can I Get a Witness?

Can I Get a Witness? by Rev. L. John GableApril 30, 2019            I have a pastor friend who, at the end of every sermon he preaches, asks, “So what?”  Regardless of the passage or the topic, he asks the congregation to consider the implications and applications of...

4/19/19 In Hell of All Places (Good Friday)

In Hell of All Places by Rev. L. John GableApril 19, 2019            You may not recall it now, but I feel fairly confident I can tell you what you were doing last July 8th, 9th and 10th.  You, along with the rest of the world, were watching with rapt attention as...

4/21/19 The Four Easters

The Four Easters by Rev. L. John GableApril 21, 2019 (Easter Sunday)            We opened our service this morning by reading the Gospel writer John’s account of the first Easter morning.  At the break of day John tells us Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus who...

4/14/19 Walk a Week with Jesus

Walk a Week with Jesus by Rev. L. John GableApril 14, 2019            In January of 2012 I had the opportunity to visit the Umoja Project in Kenya.  I know I have told you many stories about my experiences visiting that partner in ministry as they care for the needs...

4/7/19 A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities by Rev. L. John GableApril 7, 2019             “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light,...

3/24/19 Rightly Related

Rightly Related by Rev. L. John GableMarch 24, 2019            During these past several weeks we have been talking about Jesus’ “I AM” statements, and I think it would be safe to say that we want what Jesus offers.            He says He is the “Bread of life” and we...

3/17/19 Help for the Directionally Impaired

Help for the Directionally Impaired by Rev. L. John GableMarch 17, 2019             The Tab staff meets together every Tuesday morning beginning with devotions at 9:00 am, and this past Tuesday was my day to lead.  In recent weeks I have had Jesus’ “I AM” statements...

3/3/19 There’s More!

There's More by Rev. L. John GableMarch 3, 2019            I think you would agree with me that it changes the way we hear or read a story when we know how the story is going to end.  We get far less engaged in the drama on the screen when, in the back of our minds,...

2/24/19 The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd by Rev. L. John GableFebruary 24, 2019            I heard a story on the news recently about a man who fell through the ice on a frozen pond while trying to rescue his dog that had broken through the ice before him; fortunately both man and dog were...

2/17/19 Access and Egress

Access and Egress by Rev. L. John GableFebruary 17, 2019            Can you recall ever having the experience of knowing exactly where you were when you heard a new word and learned its meaning?  For some reason, I can recall many such occasions, but two in particular...

2/10/19 Now I See

Now I See by Rev. L. John GableFebruary 10, 2019A first-person presentation of the healing of the blind beggar found in John 9.            That was my spot, right there!  That is where I sat nearly every day of my entire life, year after year, calling, “Alms, alms for...

2/3/19 Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor by Rev. L. John GableFebruary 3, 2019            If you have been with us during the past several months you will recall that we are in the midst of a study of the Apostles’ Creed, but have pushed the pause button for a while in order to populate, or...

1/20/19 Beginnings Tell of Endings

Beginnings Tell of Endings by Rev. L. John GableJanuary 20, 2019            Kris and I do not go to nearly as many movies as we once did, but one of the things I liked about actually going to the theater, and now miss, is getting to watch the previews of up-coming...

1/13/19 The Prophet of Preparation: John the Baptist

The Prophet of Preparation by Rev. L. John GableJanuary 13, 2019             (John appears.  Stretches and washes his face in the Jordan River.  Looks up and sees the crowd.  Talking, as if to himself or to God.)             Already?  They are here already this...