Sermons from 2021

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Advent III Reflection: Joy

The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III I was not the student who reminded the teacher to assign homework, but I have to confess that part of me was always glad to start the new school year.  Don’t get me wrong: I always wished that summer could be longer, and I was a bit sad when […]

12-11-2021 Third Sunday of Advent: Joy “The Joy That Is Ours”

The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor  © 2021, Dr. Tamilio Advent is such a somber time.  Although we are preparing ourselves to commemorate the birth of Jesus — and the Gospel readings show us that we also use this time to prepare for Christ’s return at the end of time — it seems to […]

Advent II Reflection: Peace

Advent II: Peace The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27 I have never been one prone to rest.  My wife, Cindy, is […]

Advent 1 Reflection: Hope

ADVENT I REFLECTION: HOPE The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III Last summer, as many of you know, I was on sabbatical.  I spent those months doing a lot of reading, research and praying.  My focus was on both congregational care and evangelism.  Unfortunately, when I returned, I was hit with several funerals in September and […]

11-28-2021 “The Hope of Advent” ~ First Sunday of Advent: Hope

The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor © 2021, Dr. Tamilio Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Well, it was when I wrote this.  I wrote the first few sentences of this sermon in North Conway at my in-law’s house where we went for Thanksgiving.  This sentence was written the night before the meal.  So was this one.  […]

11-21-2021 “Thankful for THIS Church” THANKSGIVING SERMON

Dr. John Tamilio III Thanksgiving is upon us once again.  This is our holiday — and by “our” I mean that this is a holiday with deep roots in the Congregational tradition.  We all know the story: how the pilgrims in the Puritans set sail from the new world arriving in 1620.  We all know […]

11-14-2021 “God-Breathed” ~ Pentecost XXV 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor © 2021, Dr. Tamilio This was one of those weeks where none of the readings in the revised Common Lectionary struck me.  I am not saying that I do not like any of the readings that were slated for today.  I love all of them — it’s just that none […]

11-7-2021 “Just Two Coins” Mark 12:38-44 ~ Pentecost XXIV

Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor  © 2021, Dr. Tamilio The great Greek philosopher, Socrates, was tried and executed for three reasons: one of them was that he was corrupting the youth of Athens.  He wasn’t contributing to the delinquency of minors, mind you, nor did he behave inappropriately around them.  He did, however, have a […]

10-24-2021 “Do You Believe?” ~ Pentecost XXII Mark 10:46-52

Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor © 2021, Dr. Tamilio Now that the coronavirus is behind me, we were able to start our new Bible study last Tuesday.  We are making our way through the Gospel of John.  Tuesday night we covered the first three chapters.  We ended the night by delving deep into the verse […]