The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The sermon uses the story of the failed Millerite rapture predictions to explore why people long for the world to end: because the real world feels unbearably painful. Drawing on Jesus’s prophecy of the temple’s destruction, the preacher shows how ancient and modern communities alike cling to apocalyptic hope when everything familiar collapses. But prophecy and visions of a perfect future can become escapist fantasies. Isaiah dreams of a world without suffering, yet our own world remains filled with war, grief, and injustice. Instead of waiting for God to fix everything, the gospel points us toward endurance, love, and the everyday practice of kindness. Like Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem teaches, only when we know sorrow can we recognize kindness as the deepest thing. In a broken world, kindness is the call, the task, and the sustaining presence.

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

The sermon explores Jesus’s warning about treasure and heart, noting that human desires often fail to satisfy or are overshadowed by fear of loss. Drawing on Luke’s gospel, the preacher shows how possessions promise false security, especially in the face of death. Jesus’s call to give them up is not punishment but preparation for life’s end, freeing us to live grounded in God’s unending love — the true treasure that brings lasting fulfillment.

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

Rather than explain the Trinity, the sermon invites us to live it. Using the Christian liturgical calendar as a spiritual map, the preacher explores how the death-and-resurrection pattern—the Paschal Mystery—shapes our lives. Personal suffering mirrors Good Friday, and unexpected renewal echoes Easter. The Ascension calls us to let go; Pentecost empowers us to move forward. In a changing world and through personal grief, this cycle continues. A reflection on the resilient life of Kay Dreher illustrates how enduring hope can emerge from pain. The Trinity, then, is not a puzzle to solve but a sacred rhythm we inhabit.

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

In this sermon, the Rev. Michael Lemaire explores the themes of faith, trust, and God's sovereignty through the stories of David and Goliath and Jesus calming the storm. He highlights that David's victory and Jesus' calming of the sea both demonstrate God's power and presence with us amid any circumstances. The sermon challenges listeners to shift their perspective from seeing themselves as the main characters in their lives to recognizing God as the central figure. It also addresses the issue of modern idols and the need for a continuous reevaluation of our understanding of God. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of confronting our mortality to deepen our connection with God and live out our faith more fully.

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire

The Rev. Michael Lemaire