Luke 11:1-13 Lord, teach us to pray. God bless the disciple who asked, no, demanded this lesson from Jesus. We don’t know how to pray, Lord, teach us. It is such a simple thing, and such a vulnerable thing for a religious person to admit. And yet, I hear it again and again in myContinue reading “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”
Author Archives: amcaudill27
Rest, Rise, Refill
Luke 10:38-42 A few months ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a Bake & Pray workshop at St John’s in Lynchburg. Some members of St Mark’s also participated in the workshop, which was open to the community. My friend Maria, a talented baker and lay minister, led us in the art of bakingContinue reading “Rest, Rise, Refill”
An Unwanted Savior
Luke 10:25-37 The parable of the Good Samaritan looms large in the Christian imagination. The role of the “good Samaritan” is embedded in our cultural vernacular and enshrined in our legal codes. College students attend trainings when they arrive on their campuses in which they are encouraged to be a good Samaritan, an active bystanderContinue reading “An Unwanted Savior”
Freedom & Costly Grace
Galatians 5:1,13-25 For freedom Christ has set us free. As the red, white, and blue decorations go up and the flags wave and we prepare for our own celebration later this week, the topic of freedom is timely. This nation in which we live and whose birth we remember on the 4th of July everyContinue reading “Freedom & Costly Grace”
Listening Together
John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Right there, in red letters, the Bible tells us that God has more to teach us than what could be said in the brief time that God walked the earth in human flesh. Jesus promises the apostles thatContinue reading “Listening Together”
This Is The Hard Part
Acts 2:1-21 Last Sunday marked four years of ministry together, for me and you, and for the partnership between our two parishes in an official capacity. It marked four years of ministry for Ben at St John’s, and it’s been a little over four years since we moved into our home in downtown Lynchburg withContinue reading “This Is The Hard Part”
We Are All Here
Acts 16:16-34 Content Warning: This sermon addresses suicide, mental illness, and death. The photo associated with this post is a photo I took at the excavated prison cell in Philippi where Paul was imprisoned as depicted in Acts. When I saw the readings assigned for today, I was deeply moved. This reading from Acts isContinue reading “We Are All Here”
The Promise of Home
Revelation 21:1-6 See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the firstContinue reading “The Promise of Home”
Wearing Ministry
Acts 9:36-43 When I was newly ordained, a woman in my first parish died and I was to preside at her funeral. Instead of flowers, her children told me they would be bringing some things she had made to adorn the altar. She was a quilter, and an embroiderer, with an artist’s eye. The dayContinue reading “Wearing Ministry”
Changing Minds
Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) I am convinced that one of the hardest things to do in this world is change your mind. Something that might be even harder is admitting aloud that your belief or opinion has changed from what you once fervently professed. We are not rewarded for it, either socially or by our ownContinue reading “Changing Minds”
Mother A Writes 