Category Archives: Bible

Mary, Her Womb, and Her Choice

Posted on December 23, 2023 by smaxreisert

Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (CEB) For all of my adult life, reproductive rights have been a key component of … Continue reading →

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My Business Plan

Posted on December 7, 2022 by smaxreisert

I think I might try to start a business. It’s something I’ve never done, so maybe it’s time to give it a try. I’m not sure what kind of business exactly— there are so many options— but I do know … Continue reading →

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Women in the Early Church:  “That” Passage, Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2022 by smaxreisert

This is an adaptation of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, July 24, 2022.  Scripture:  1 Timothy 2. Last week, we considered the authorship and context of this particular passage that we … Continue reading →

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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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