Tag Archives: God

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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May the Words of My Mouth Land Maybe Sometimes Somewhere Near Your Brain

Posted on August 31, 2026 by smaxreisert

There’s a small bit in Monty Python’s Life of Brian that shows the crowds gathering to hear Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. The Python gang, including the titular Brian, are in the back of the crowd and can’t hear very … Continue reading →

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Lessons I Should Have Learned at Div School: Cheerleading?

Posted on January 10, 2026 by smaxreisert

Many years ago, when Old South was set to embark on a process to discern whether or not to pursue “open and affirming” status (public welcome of those in the LBGTQ+ community), I gave a sermon or two in support … Continue reading →

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Confession, What Is It Good For?

Posted on August 24, 2025 by smaxreisert

As any good Christian ought to know, confession is in integral part of the faith experience. While I don’t think confession ought to be focused on beating oneself up for every shortcoming, especially to the point of mental, emotional and/or … 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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I’m Starting to Question God’s Choices

Posted on November 7, 2024 by smaxreisert

“Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason — and that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness, and now we are going to fulfill that mission together. We’re going … Continue reading →

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On Edge

Posted on November 1, 2024 by smaxreisert

I haven’t been surprised by the expressions of mounting tension as we get closer and closer to Election Day. What has surprised me is the expression of tension and anxiety shared with me by people at Old South who have … Continue reading →

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A Mothers Day Approach to God

Posted on May 17, 2017 by smaxreisert

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, … Continue reading →

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The Things We Don’t Talk About

Posted on July 13, 2013 by smaxreisert

My sermon series at Old South this summer is focusing on evil. Where does it come from? How does it interact with our faith? What does it mean to say that God is good? Why do bad things happen to … Continue reading →

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