To Pray or Not to Pray: That Is the Question Dr. John Tamilio III The church I am proud to serve, the Congregational Church of Canton (in Massachusetts), has been in the news as of late.  Some background to the story is needed. I was invited to deliver the prayer of invocation at the Canton […]

Sermon: “The Problem of Evil” Hebrew Bible Lesson: Job 1:1, 2:1-10 © 2018, Dr. Tamilio “The Book of Job has to do with the most painful and unavoidable questions which can arise in human experience.  These questions arise in connection with experiences of arbitrary suffering, but in their most extreme form they go on to […]

Sermon: “Radical Spiritual Surgery” Gospel Lesson: Mark 9:38-50 © 2018, Dr. Tamilio Ladies and Gentlemen, It is time for some good ol’ hyperbole! If you do not remember that term from English class, let me refresh your memory: hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally. Or, as Reader’s Digest […]

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sunday, September 16, 2018 ~ Pentecost XVII  Sermon: “Who Is He?” Gospel Lesson: Mark 8:27-38 © 2018, Dr. Tamilio A fourth-grade teacher was giving her pupils a lesson in logic.  “Here is the situation,” she said.  “A man is standing up in a boat in […]

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sunday, September 9, 2018 ~ Pentecost XVI  Sermon: “Welcome Back!” © 2018, Dr. Tamilio Welcome back from the summer.  This has to be one of the hottest ones on record.  In fact, as late as last Thursday the heat index placed us in the triple […]

I have attended a few graduations over the past few weeks.  As you know, my daughter Sarah graduated from Kent State University in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.  My son, Jay (John IV), graduated from Lakewood High School in Ohio one week ago today. I have to confess; I have come to […]

When I was younger, I used to love to listen to Dr. Leo Buscaglia.  Dr. Buscaglia, commonly referred to as Dr. Love, was a professor at the University of Southern California, which is where he earned his bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.  He often appeared on PBS.  He was a bestselling author and motivational speaker.  […]

From God comes faith through grace — a way to orient our lives.  From God comes blessings beyond what we can possible conceive.  From God comes life and, though Jesus, the promise of eternal life.  From humankind, comes religion with all of its rules and restrictions.  This is why some people are quick to say, […]

I Every year around this time, we celebrate Palm Sunday: the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem.  This is the day that begins the holiest of holy weeks on the Christian calendar.  Ministers who preach on the subject often tackle two predominate themes: The first is the change that occurs with the crowd. Many of the […]

Today, on this fourth Sunday of Easter, we read the passage from John’s Gospel where Jesus refers to himself as the good shepherd.  It makes perfect sense that the creators of the Revised Common Lectionary would include the 23rd Psalm as today’s Psalter reading.  Jesus probably had this Psalm in mind when he was speaking […]