Category Archives: Church

Why This Pastor Speaks about Racism

Posted on June 1, 2020 by pastordavesimpson

On Facebook, someone asked me why I posted about racism. Isn’t it a pastor’s job to be uplifting? Here is my response (slightly edited) . . . Racism is evil, even demonic. If followers of Christ do not confront evil, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Christianity and Culture, Church, Racism | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Only Friend is Darkness – A Sermon about Depression, Anxiety and Mental Health

Posted on July 10, 2019 by pastordavesimpson

(Sermon preached at Christ Lutheran (ELCA) Church of Millersville, Maryland. You can see a video of the sermon here, – about 5:40 is the start of the sermon – or a podcast here.  The text is Psalm 88.) My only … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Faith, Martin Luther, Sermon | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Resurrection in That Place Past Hope

Posted on February 20, 2018 by pastordavesimpson

(Adapted from a sermon preached February 18, 2018, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Millersville. You can listen to a podcast of the sermon here. The sermon text is The Raising of Lazarus, John 11:1-44.) When Jesus finally got to … Continue reading →

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Why Are Atheists So Bad?

Posted on February 7, 2018 by pastordavesimpson

You know that saying about how there are no stupid questions? There are exceptions . . . A Facebook friend posted a link to this query on the Quora  question and answer website:  This may sound naive, but what keeps … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Christianity and Culture, Church, Lutheran Theology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Nassar Survivor’s Wake-up Call to the Church

Posted on February 5, 2018 by pastordavesimpson

A couple of days ago I read a Huffington Post article about the first woman who had the courage to step forward and publicly accuse US Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar of abuse. Rachel Denhollander, one of 150 survivors who … Continue reading →

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Strength in Weakness

Posted on January 31, 2018 by pastordavesimpson

This line from the State of the Union Address has me thinking this morning: “Weakness is the surest path to conflict, and unmatched power is the surest means of our defense.” Those words remind me why Christianity – faithfully following … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Christianity and Culture, Church, Faith | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Few Moments at the Manger – A Christmas Eve Sermon/Monologue

Posted on December 27, 2017 by pastordavesimpson

  (A podcast of this sermon is available here.) Worship Assistant: A few days ago, one of Pastor Dave’s Facebook Friends posted a clip from a 1980 television special called “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas.” In the program, Mr. Krueger, played by … Continue reading →

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“Fear Not” – The Angels’ Prescription for the (White) American Church

Posted on December 21, 2017 by pastordavesimpson

This time of year we sing “Joy to the World.” But if we’re honest, we’ll acknowledge that too often what we bring to the world is fear. The Washington Post published a prescient article this week by Charles Mathewes, a professor of … Continue reading →

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#thechurchtoo – A Sermon in Response to #metoo

Posted on October 23, 2017 by pastordavesimpson

Sermon preached on October 23, 2017 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Millersville. You can find a video version of the sermon here, or a podcast here. Karen, my wife, helped with editing and ideas. In Galatians, as Paul describes … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Christianity and Culture, Church, Sermon | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Church and Charlottesville: Our Call to Confession and Clarity

Posted on August 14, 2017 by pastordavesimpson

(This is the end of a sermon preached at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Millersville. The text was John 3:16, and the first part emphasized God’s infinite and inclusive love for each of us and for the world, the kosmos … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Racism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment