Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | August 6, 2023 Matthew 14:13-21 When I first moved to Glasgow, the associate minister at St. James’ was a woman named Miss Ann Merilees. She was working as a Deacon, or in her case Deaconess, which is a professional ministry position in the Church of Scotland. She…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | July 30, 2023 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-48 God’s grace is life giving, sheltering and welcoming. Seemingly small acts can have a big impact. Sometimes people will ask me, “What led you to ministry?” If I think about it, I have to say, it all started with a banana….

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | July 23, 2023 Matthew 13:24-30 Last week I said that I like an orderly existence, and that you wouldn’t know that from looking at my yard. My yard is the last bastion of chaos. In the neighborhood where I live, there are people who maintain their yards…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | July 9, 2023 Matthew 11:1-19, 25-30 Today the message begins and ends with prayer – “Tender and compassionate God, you are our steadfast companion in the joyous times of our lives. When we rejoice, you celebrate with us; when we are anxious and afraid, you offer us…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | July 16, 2023 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 When I was introduced to the Presbyterian Church, there were a number of things that made me think, “This is where I belong.” That’s how I felt when I read, “The Book of Order,” the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)….

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | July 2, 2023 Matthew 10:40-42 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | June 25, 2023 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 & Philippians 4:4-9 When I was around twelve years old, I read a memoir by John Steinbeck entitled, “Travels With Charley.” The story told of the author and his dog Charley on a road trip around the country. It was the first…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | June 11, 2023 Matthew 9:9-13 & 18-26 One of the plain truths of ministry is that you can’t please all the people all of the time. As a church we try to make everyone feel welcome, even those who take issue with the minister. Some folks don’t…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | May 21, 2023 1st Peter 5:6-11 When my brother Jim was in high school, he discovered that one of his friends was a cousin; though cousin to some degrees removed. Our great-grandfathers were half- brothers. At the time it was an odd occurrence. Now, with the advent…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | May 14, 2023 John 14:15-21 Usually when I write a sermon, I start out writing not knowing where it will end up. Sometimes I get into it and it doesn’t go anywhere. So I start over. Often I end up where I didn’t expect, and I think,…