Category Archives: Holy-Days

Easter Worship, In Captivity

Posted on April 16, 2020 by smaxreisert

The word that continues to loom large in my head, when I think of worship in this time of pandemic is the word “weird.”  It’s not an uncommon word, to be sure, and it’s not a terribly good word.  And, … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days, Worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Not So Good Good Friday

Posted on April 10, 2020 by smaxreisert

We are well into our “stay at home” order that Maine’s Governor put into place April 2nd.  At Old South, we have been holding worship services, meetings and other gatherings online.  This new format isn’t perfect, but it has offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Reflections on Hosanna

Posted on April 6, 2020 by smaxreisert

Homily for April 5, 2020, Palm Sunday                                                                    … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days, Worship | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Lenten Discipline 2020

Posted on February 27, 2020 by smaxreisert

I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.  Matthew 12:36-37 Lent … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Heartbreak of Christmas 2019

Posted on December 27, 2019 by smaxreisert

At Old South, Christmas Eve has become the most unwelcome and dire of bellwethers. When I began my ministry with Old South, in 2005, I heard quite a lot about the annual Christmas Eve service. The bell choir would play … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do I Need to Write About This?

Posted on December 21, 2019 by smaxreisert

Do I Need to Write About This? That was the first thought that entered my fuzzy head when I woke up to the news that the President had been impeached. I don’t want to write about this. It’s Christmas; I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Old South the Musical or Old South the Opera?

Posted on May 4, 2019 by smaxreisert

Are we comedy or tragedy? One of the most important Sundays on the church calendar for me is the Sunday after Easter. That’s when I get the best sense of the state of the church I’ve served for almost fifteen … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days, Worship | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Where Would We Be Without the Women?

Posted on April 22, 2019 by smaxreisert

Western Christians gathered this past weekend for the most significant of holy days, Easter (Eastern Orthodox Easter is next weekend). For those Christian Churches that follow the Revised Common Lectionary (and many that do not) the Sunday Easter worship service … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Advent-ish

Posted on December 17, 2018 by smaxreisert

When I first started serving as Pastor and Teacher at Old South Church in Hallowell, Maine, it was only a couple of months before Advent. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when it came to Old South’s usual Advent … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter’s People

Posted on April 12, 2018 by smaxreisert

In Central Maine, especially where I live on a tranquil Maine lake, it feels like we are still very much in the grip of winter.   There’s still plenty of snow on the ground, temperatures are chilly, and the lake doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , | Leave a comment