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:  “That” Verse, Part 1

Posted on July 20, 2022 by smaxreisert

This is an adaptation of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, July 17, 2022.  Scripture:  1 Timothy 2. It’s hard to know where even to begin with this passage.  It’s really hard.  … Continue reading →

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The Women of the Early Church:  Nympha

Posted on July 13, 2022 by smaxreisert

An adaption of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, Sunday, July 10, 2022.  Scripture:  Colossians 4:10-18. For background and inspiration, I’m deeply indebted to the work and the blog, of Marg Mowczko, … Continue reading →

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Women in the Early Church:  Apphia

Posted on July 6, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, July 3, 2022. Scripture: Philemon 1-6. Philemon 1-6: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and … Continue reading →

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Women of the Early Church: Chloe (including thoughts on the overturning of Roe)

Posted on June 28, 2022 by smaxreisert

The following is an adaptation of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, June 26, 2022. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. What do we know about Chloe?  What do we know about Chloe’s “people”? … Continue reading →

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Women of the Early Church:  Junia

Posted on June 22, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, June 19, 2022. Scripture: Romans 16:1-7. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2so that you may welcome her … Continue reading →

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To Focus on Women of the New Testament

Posted on June 20, 2022 by smaxreisert

Since the beginning of Lent this year, almost every single Sunday worship at Old South has focused on a scripture passage that features at least one woman. In Lent, we considered the “Women Around Jesus.” For the Easter Season and … Continue reading →

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Women in the Early Church: Phoebe

Posted on June 15, 2022 by smaxreisert

Based on a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine. Scripture: Romans 16:1-2 Romans 16 contains greetings for a whole host of people from various places.  The first person named in this section of … Continue reading →

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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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