Author Archives: smaxreisert

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About smaxreisert

I'm a United Church of Christ pastor serving the small, faithful Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Hallowell, Maine. I was ordained in Massachusetts in 1995, moved to Maine in 1997 and have served the Hallowell church since 2005.

Women in the Early Church:  Priscilla

Posted on June 2, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, May 29, 2022.  Scripture:  Acts 18:1-11, 24-26 *My thanks to the Rev. Tim Breen for his Bible Study on Priscilla and Aquila. It can … Continue reading →

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Women of the Early Church: Lydia

Posted on May 26, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, Sunday, May 22, 2022. Scripture: Acts 16:9-15 After a few months of focusing on the women in the New Testament, the women around Jesus … Continue reading →

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Women of the Early Church:  Mary(mother of John) and Rhoda

Posted on May 19, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, May 15, 2022.  Scripture:  Acts 12:1-19 For those who attend mainline churches (and the Roman Catholic Church) and count on attendance at Sunday worship … Continue reading →

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Would Things Be Different? Women in the Early Church: Tabitha

Posted on May 11, 2022 by smaxreisert

Based on a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, May 8, 2022. Scripture:  Acts 9:36-43 On so many levels and for so many reasons, this story from the ninth chapter of Acts is … Continue reading →

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The Women Around Jesus: In Remembrance of Her, The Anointing

Posted on April 27, 2022 by smaxreisert

Scripture:  Mark 14:3-9. This post is adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, April 10, 2022 (Palm/Passion Sunday). I apologize that this post, and its theme, is out of order with … Continue reading →

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Easter 2022: Mary Magdalene, Part 2

Posted on April 19, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from the Easter Sunday sermon at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Hallowell, Maine. Scripture: John 20:1-18 Many years ago, when I was a young adult, I found myself, for reasons that I don’t remember, home … Continue reading →

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Lent 2022, The Women Around Jesus: Mary of Bethany

Posted on April 13, 2022 by smaxreisert

From a sermon given at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine. Scripture: John 12:1-8, Luke 10:38-42 (with reference to John 11 as well) My name is Mary and I was a friend of Jesus.  I’d like … Continue reading →

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Lent 2022, The Women Around Jesus: Martha

Posted on April 6, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, March 20, 2022. Scripture:  John 11:1-27; Luke 10:38-42 When I was a student at Harvard Divinity School in the early 1990s, I took a … Continue reading →

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Lent 2022, The Women Around Jesus: Mary Magdalene, Part 1

Posted on March 30, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a Sermon preached at Old South Church, Hallowell, Maine. Scripture: Luke 8:1-3; Mark 15:33-41 Mary Magdalene.  Mention her name and you might remember that she was present at the empty tomb on Easter morning.  But, it’s also likely, … Continue reading →

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Screaming My Way Through Lent

Posted on March 19, 2022 by smaxreisert

At Old South this Lent, we are focusing on the women around Jesus. We are exploring stories about the women who worked with and were friends with Jesus. We are also considering stories of women, like the Samaritan Woman at … Continue reading →

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