Sermons by Rev. Barbara Keast

“The Wideness of God’s Mercy”

I stand in this pulpit, on this 17th day of September, exactly 34 years after my ordination to ministry in Essex, Massachusetts.  That my ordination anniversary coincides with my retirement day in Littleton feels like it’s a wheel come round – a circle.  So in that spirit, I am going to preach – again –…

“Seeing Something No One Has Seen”

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16July 9, 2023 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. By faith Abraham obeyed…

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

Psalm 8: O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of…

“Up, Down, Up, Down…”

Acts 1:6-14 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit…

“When the Morning Comes”

John 21:1-14 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’…

Dog Sermon

John 14:15-21 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and…

“Healing Mercies”

John 9:1-34 As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.  We must work…

“A Different Point of View”

Matthew 17:1-9 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. …

“Crying in the Wilderness”

Isaiah 40:1-11January 15, 2023         This morning I’ve chosen this passage from the prophet Isaiah as our scripture reading for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend: Comfort, O comfort my people,   says your God.Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,   and cry to herthat she has served her term,   that her penalty is paid,that she has received from…

“A Simple Love”

Luke 1:46-55: And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.  For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  And his…