Exams are over, papers are done, and the campus is quiet. Chapel services will resume on February 8 after our January Interterm. The "J-term", as we call it, is when our students take short, intensive classes or travel on LPTS-sponsored trips of discovery to other places and cultures. Students from other seminaries, LPTS alums, and church leaders are welcome to travel with us.
Please return after February 8, 2008 for a new sermon. Feel free to visit the other sermons and lectures on this page, the sermons from this academic year, or the sermon archive for other words of comfort, challenge, and compassion that have been spoken in Caldwell Chapel.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Servant Leadership
James A. Hyde
Professor & Director of Marriage and Family Therapy Program
Andrew Black
Master of Divinity student-LPTS and Juris Doctor student-University of Louisville
Vanessa Sharp
Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Church Music student-Johnson C. Smith Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta
Matthew 25:40
Ezekiel 2:9-3:3; 3:10,11;3:14,15
John 1:14
November 30, 2007
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the LPTS community gathered in Caldwell Chapel to remember those who are HIV positive, those who live with AIDS around the world, and those active in the struggle against AIDS. We are invited to sit where our brothers and sisters with AIDS sit in their daily life, and are reminded that we know God through our knowledge of the poor, the sick, and the oppressed. Listen to the service. Read Professor Hyde’s remarks in PDF. Read Andrew Black’s remarks in PDF.
Professor & Director of Marriage and Family Therapy Program
Andrew Black
Master of Divinity student-LPTS and Juris Doctor student-University of Louisville
Vanessa Sharp
Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Church Music student-Johnson C. Smith Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta
Matthew 25:40
Ezekiel 2:9-3:3; 3:10,11;3:14,15
John 1:14
November 30, 2007
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the LPTS community gathered in Caldwell Chapel to remember those who are HIV positive, those who live with AIDS around the world, and those active in the struggle against AIDS. We are invited to sit where our brothers and sisters with AIDS sit in their daily life, and are reminded that we know God through our knowledge of the poor, the sick, and the oppressed. Listen to the service. Read Professor Hyde’s remarks in PDF. Read Andrew Black’s remarks in PDF.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wolves, Lions, and Lambs at the Table
Cláudio Carvalhaes
Assistant Professor of Worship and Preaching
Isaiah 65: 17-25
Luke 21:5-19
November, 16, 2007
The scripture texts for this week pull together two different visions of the future: one from Isaiah filled with life and joy, and one from Luke about Jesus predicting a disastrous future. How do we make sense out of that? What do these visions have to do with our agency in the world? The sermon initiates the conversation and then asks people to get together around the Eucharistic table to figure it out. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Assistant Professor of Worship and Preaching
Isaiah 65: 17-25
Luke 21:5-19
November, 16, 2007
The scripture texts for this week pull together two different visions of the future: one from Isaiah filled with life and joy, and one from Luke about Jesus predicting a disastrous future. How do we make sense out of that? What do these visions have to do with our agency in the world? The sermon initiates the conversation and then asks people to get together around the Eucharistic table to figure it out. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
On Sheep, Wolves, Serpents and Doves
David C. Hester Dean of the Seminary Vice President for Academic Affairs Harrison Ray Anderson Professor of Ministry
Matthew 10:1, 5-23
October 26, 2007
Matthew’s account of Jesus sending out “the Twelve” on a mission to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” on which journey they are to take only the essentials and no extra baggage, prompts us to think about our own call to participate in God’s mission through the church for the transformation of the world. Matthew warns that the disciples who agree to “go public” with Jesus’ call to a new vision of the future may not always be welcome. The opponents of Jesus’ good news vision are consuming and destructive of self and of others—they are like wolves. How shall those in mission live in the midst of such threats? Jesus urges they become “wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” living a sanctified life, guided by practical wisdom that recognizes openings for the Gospel’s good word. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Matthew 10:1, 5-23
October 26, 2007
Matthew’s account of Jesus sending out “the Twelve” on a mission to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” on which journey they are to take only the essentials and no extra baggage, prompts us to think about our own call to participate in God’s mission through the church for the transformation of the world. Matthew warns that the disciples who agree to “go public” with Jesus’ call to a new vision of the future may not always be welcome. The opponents of Jesus’ good news vision are consuming and destructive of self and of others—they are like wolves. How shall those in mission live in the midst of such threats? Jesus urges they become “wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” living a sanctified life, guided by practical wisdom that recognizes openings for the Gospel’s good word. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Where is the Glory
Dora Pierce Professor of Bible and Professor of Old Testament
I Samuel 4:1-22
November 2, 2007
In this story ancient Israel devises a plan to avoid another defeat by the hand of the Philistines by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They are defeated anyway and the Ark, Israel’s glory, goes into captivity/exile. Two problems faced the ancient community: they were led by corrupt and venal leaders and they forgot what it means to be a people that views itself as being in covenant with God. Ancient problems that are also contemporary. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
I Samuel 4:1-22
November 2, 2007
In this story ancient Israel devises a plan to avoid another defeat by the hand of the Philistines by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They are defeated anyway and the Ark, Israel’s glory, goes into captivity/exile. Two problems faced the ancient community: they were led by corrupt and venal leaders and they forgot what it means to be a people that views itself as being in covenant with God. Ancient problems that are also contemporary. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The Beloved Community: American Search, Christian Hope, Human Struggle
Charles Marsh
Professor of Religious and Theological Studies
Director of the Project on Lived Theology, University of Virginia
George and Jean Edwards Lecture on Peace and Justice
October 25, 2007
In our current, troubled times, Dr. Marsh reconstructs Dr. Martin Luther King’s call to the struggle for a new world as the only true call of the children of the living God. He says that in order to create beloved community, we must remain close to the ground, listen more closely, and return to the commitment of the Church’s healing presence in the world. Listen to the lecture.
Professor of Religious and Theological Studies
Director of the Project on Lived Theology, University of Virginia
George and Jean Edwards Lecture on Peace and Justice
October 25, 2007
In our current, troubled times, Dr. Marsh reconstructs Dr. Martin Luther King’s call to the struggle for a new world as the only true call of the children of the living God. He says that in order to create beloved community, we must remain close to the ground, listen more closely, and return to the commitment of the Church’s healing presence in the world. Listen to the lecture.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Mission Impossible? Faith at the Crossroads of People & Religions
Carlos Cardozi-Orlandi
Associate Professor of World Christianity, Columbia Theological Seminary
The Henry H. and Marion A. Presler Lectureship on Christian World Missions
October 24, 2007
Popular religion is an expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christianity grows in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Latino areas of the U.S., mission studies discover particular dynamics between religion and culture. Given these dynamics, what role should we take in the Great Commission? Listen to the lecture.
To learn more about the Pressler Lecture series and the people for whom it was named: read the dedication address.
Associate Professor of World Christianity, Columbia Theological Seminary
The Henry H. and Marion A. Presler Lectureship on Christian World Missions
October 24, 2007
Popular religion is an expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christianity grows in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Latino areas of the U.S., mission studies discover particular dynamics between religion and culture. Given these dynamics, what role should we take in the Great Commission? Listen to the lecture.
To learn more about the Pressler Lecture series and the people for whom it was named: read the dedication address.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
What a Difference Difference Can Make!
Douglas L. Gragg
Associate Professor of Bibliography and Research
Director of Library and Information Technology Services
Matthew 15: 1-28
Proverbs 27:17
October 12, 2007—Preached in honor of Theological Libraries Month
In this text Jesus’ inclusive vision of the community that lives under the reign of God is expanded even further through an encounter with a gentile woman of faith. This encourages us to celebrate diversity and pursue inclusivity, trusting that our own vision of the beloved community will be expanded and our lives enriched in ways beyond our capacity to predict through engagement with difference. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Associate Professor of Bibliography and Research
Director of Library and Information Technology Services
Matthew 15: 1-28
Proverbs 27:17
October 12, 2007—Preached in honor of Theological Libraries Month
In this text Jesus’ inclusive vision of the community that lives under the reign of God is expanded even further through an encounter with a gentile woman of faith. This encourages us to celebrate diversity and pursue inclusivity, trusting that our own vision of the beloved community will be expanded and our lives enriched in ways beyond our capacity to predict through engagement with difference. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
God’s Widening Circles
Frances S. Adeney
William A. Benfield, Jr. Professor of Evangelism and Global Mission
Ephesians 1:1-10
September 28, 2007
William A. Benfield, Jr. Professor of Evangelism and Global Mission
Ephesians 1:1-10
September 28, 2007
The sermon starts with a reading from Ephesians by student Asamoah Apenteng in his native language, Akan.
Despite scientific predictions, and despite various scenarios described in the bible, humans are blessed, in a way, by our inability to unravel and articulate the mysteries of what will happen to the universe in the future. But we keep trying. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Ephesus, wends his way does not describe what will happen in the future. But he does describe God’s intentions for the future—the “dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace.” Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
From Head to Heart
David R. Sawyer
Professor of MinistryDirector of Lifelong Learning and Advanced Degrees
Luke 5:17-26
September 21, 2007
The story of the healing of the paralytic brings the message not only of healing of a body but of redemption of the heart of the paralyzed person as well. The preacher’s own journey from head to heart is tied to this passage and also to the image of the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz whose joints were frozen because he lacked a heart. The congregation concluded the sermon with an experience of the “prayer of the heart” in chant and prayer. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
Professor of MinistryDirector of Lifelong Learning and Advanced Degrees
Luke 5:17-26
September 21, 2007
The story of the healing of the paralytic brings the message not only of healing of a body but of redemption of the heart of the paralyzed person as well. The preacher’s own journey from head to heart is tied to this passage and also to the image of the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz whose joints were frozen because he lacked a heart. The congregation concluded the sermon with an experience of the “prayer of the heart” in chant and prayer. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
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