Category Archives: On the Hopeful Side

A Bit of Wisdom for Times of Darkness

Posted on September 29, 2026 by smaxreisert

[Adapted from a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, September 27, 2026.] Psalm 23, A psalm of David. [Common English Bible] The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.He lets me rest in … Continue reading →

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In the Farewell

Posted on September 3, 2026 by smaxreisert

Old South finally sold its sanctuary building, after a very long, arduous process. The closing was yesterday. In anticipation of the sale, I spent some time alone in the sanctuary Tuesday afternoon. I had a Spotify playlist of traditional Protestant … Continue reading →

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Nearing the End of a Long Journey, and the Start of a New One

Posted on March 27, 2026 by smaxreisert

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through … Continue reading →

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The Way Ahead

Posted on May 6, 2025 by smaxreisert

Based on the sermon from Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, 5/4/2025. Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the … Continue reading →

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It’s Time to Put Aside the Rose-Colored Glasses

Posted on February 16, 2024 by smaxreisert

In the first church I served, as a student minister and then as the assistant pastor, way back in the early 1990s, I had the chance to experience a fairly wide range of the typical world of the local church … Continue reading →

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New Life and Its Consequences

Posted on March 31, 2023 by smaxreisert

Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?”  So they removed the stone. Jesus looked up and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me.  I know you always hear me. I say this for the benefit of … Continue reading →

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The Covid Year

Posted on March 13, 2021 by smaxreisert

Over the last few days, lots of people, news outlets and other organizations have been spending time in reflection mode.  It’s been a year of dealing with Covid.  A whole year. Where were you when you heard the news that … Continue reading →

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Don’t Sit There!

Posted on January 11, 2020 by smaxreisert

And you may ask yourself, well How did I get here? —Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime During my homily last Sunday, on our first winter worship service of the season in Old South’s parish house (where worship is a … Continue reading →

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Being a Weed in a World Full of Roundup

Posted on July 29, 2017 by smaxreisert

After a weekend off, I’m back in the pulpit this Sunday. I’ll be preaching from the lectionary Gospel passage, the series of small statements from Matthew regarding what the kingdom of heaven is like—a mustard seed, yeast, etc. I’m quite … Continue reading →

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The First Word of Advent: Hope

Posted on December 2, 2016 by smaxreisert

Old South’s worship last Sunday, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, included quite a few visitors. One visitor was a young man who came to worship by himself. He stayed for coffee and fellowship, so I had a chance to chat with … Continue reading →

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