Articles by Erin Martin

Blogging Toward Sunday

John testified

John 1:29-42

Jan 14, 2008 by Erin Martin

John the Baptist has been our constant companion on the journey through Advent and into Epiphany. First, it was his task to make ready the way of the Lord. Next, it was his privilege to baptize Jesus in the river Jordan. Now, it is his purpose to bear witness to Jesus’ identity, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Blogging Toward Sunday

Baptized into submission

Matthew 3:13-17

Jan 07, 2008 by Erin Martin

Some of my favorite words from the United Methodist Church’s liturgy for Holy Baptism are the first ones spoken: “Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Bow before his brightness

Matthew 2:1-12

Dec 31, 2007 by Erin Martin

For a preacher, the challenge of Epiphany is that it comes every year. The story unfolds as it always does: King Herod, the wise men from the East, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. By now, the pageant is overplayed. The star of wonder has lost its awe. How, in this over-handled text, can anything new break through?

Blogging Toward Sunday

Out of Egypt

Matthew 2:13-23

Dec 26, 2007 by Erin Martin

Time is being stretched in the gospel narrative. With several allusions to the wise men, we look forward to next Sunday’s celebration of Epiphany. With the several allusions to the Exodus we also look back to the Israelites held in bondage in Egypt. With the future, the present and the past seemingly all at hand, how do we draw out for our congregations a message from the manger?

Blogging Toward Sunday

Hear and see

Matthew 11:2-11

Dec 10, 2007 by Erin Martin

The build-up to Christmas bombards our senses—the constant blinking of Christmas lights, the pervasive wafting of pine-scented potpourri, the drone of “sleigh-bells ringing.” No wonder we lose sight of what we’re really looking for in Advent, the signs of the one who is to come.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Do not be afraid

Matthew 1:18-25

Dec 07, 2007 by Erin Martin

We don’t ordinarily associate fear with Christmas, and yet throughout the accounts of the Incarnation, everyone is afraid. Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, even King Herod is terrified upon hearing the news that a child will be born in Bethlehem. What’s so scary about a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger?

Everything, if you are Joseph.