Author Archives: revdrjt3

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sermon for Advent III (“Joy”) Sunday, November 27, 2020 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio Finally!  We have a Gospel Lesson that seems to fit Advent and the theme of the day: joy.  Phew!  Thank goodness!  We are not reading about the end of the world orContinue reading “Advent III: “Joy” (12/13/20)”

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sunday, December 6, 2020 ~ Advent II: Peace Scripture Readings: Mark 1:1-8; Isaiah 40:1-11; Exodus 23:20; Malachi 3:1 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio The Gospel of Mark has no account of the Nativity, yet it opens, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,Continue reading “Advent II: “Peace” 12/06/20”

SERMON FOR ADVENT I (“Hope”) Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Canton Sunday, November 27, 2020 Why is it that mainline Christians shy away from talk about the end times?  By mainline Christians I mean churches that are part of denominations whose names you usually hear spoken: Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal,Continue reading “Sermon for Advent I (Nov. 27)”

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Thanksgiving Sunday, November 22, 2020 The Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III Sermon: “In These Hard and Difficult Beginnings” Psalter Reading: Psalm 100 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio In his 1656 journal Of Plymouth Plantation, Gov. William Bradford wrote the following: In these hard and difficult beginnings they found some discontents and murmuringsContinue reading “Thanksgiving Sermon 2020”

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Sunday, November 8, 2020 ~ Pentecost 23 Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sermon Title: “Divided We Stand” Scripture Lessons: Matthew 25:1-13 and Psalm 113 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio Today’s Gospel Lesson is sometimes referred to as the parable of the ten virgins; sometimes it is called the parable of theContinue reading “Sermon: Nov. 8, 2020”

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Sunday, October 25, 2020 ~ Pentecost XXI Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sermon: “The Elevator Speech” Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:34-46 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio Has anyone ever asked you for your “elevator speech” when it comes to something you think or believe?  Here’s how this works.  You get on an elevatorContinue reading “Sermon: Oct. 25, 2020”

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Sunday, October 18, 2020 ~ Pentecost XX Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sermon: “Render unto God” Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:15-22 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s.  Well, everything belongs to God, so that makes this passage a littleContinue reading “Sermon: Oct. 18, 2020”

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Sunday, October 4, 2020 ~ Pentecost 18 Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sermon Title: “The Top Ten” Hebrew Bible Lesson: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio A Sunday School teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five- and six-year-olds.  After explaining the commandment to “honor” thy FatherContinue reading “Sermon: Oct. 4, 2020”

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON Sunday, September 27, 2020 ~ Pentecost 17 Dr. John Tamilio III, Pastor Sermon Title: “Is God Unfair — Part 2” Hebrew Bible Lesson: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 © 2020, Dr. Tamilio Ezekiel 18:25: “The way of the Lord is unfair.”  This sounds like last week’s sermon, doesn’t it?  Last week IContinue reading “Sermon: Sept. 27, 2020”