Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | January 14, 2024 John 1:43-51 Some dreaming is the brain’s way of clearing out the clutter of everyday living and restoring order to our thought processes. Most dreams are forgotten soon after we wake up. Some dreams stay with us. They are the way that our sub-conscience…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | January 7, 2024 Mark 1:4-11 It was the summer of 1983 and I was in my new office unpacking my gear, getting ready to start what I hoped would be a long and fruitful ministry in the Presbyterian churches of Clarion and Dows, Iowa. One of the…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | December 31, 2023 Luke 2:22-40 I remember how startled I was the first time that someone called me sir. I was walking down the street when a panhandler said, “Can you spare some change sir?” I thought, “Wait, what?! Are you talking to me?” How could that…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | December 24, 2023 People will ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” It’s a question that is on about the same wavelength as “What about that weather?” or “How are you?” Folks really don’t want an answer. I’ve made the mistake sometimes of telling people what I really…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | December 17, 2023 Psalm 126 & Luke 1:46-55 One time my brother Jim came to visit in Glasgow. Wanting to show him a good Scottish time, I took him to a city center pub where we met up with some of my Scottish pals. They and I…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | December 3, 2023 Matthew 13:24-37 The beginning of Advent for Christians is a time when we remind ourselves that God is always coming into the world. Our challenge is to be ready for that when it happens. And to realize it’s always happening. Over the last year…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | November 26, 2023 Matthew 25:31-46 Every few years it was my turn to attend the General Assembly meeting of the Church of Scotland. It was a week-long event held in Edinburgh in a grand assembly next to the Royal Mile. Just up the street is the Edinburgh…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | November 19, 2023 Various Texts A thought that has come to mind in recent days is – it doesn’t get any easier. With some things, we can say that practice makes perfect. Not so with death. In those times when we are facing the impossible, the how…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | November 12, 2023 Matthew 25:1-13 I was visiting my son’s house years ago and while he was at work, I was cooking dinner. While cooking, I was also keeping my eye on the two boys, ages 4 and 1. They were helping. The one year old helped…

Sermon by Reverend Dr. John W. Mann | November 5, 2023 Matthew 23:1-12 Sometimes I have heard it said perhaps you have too, “I don’t go to church. The place is full of hypocrites!” I have some stock responses to that, depending on the situation and person sharing that view. One is, “Right you are….