For over thirty years Alan Neale has spoken with passion, relevance, authenticity and humor of themes that are profound and pressing; the profound he makes simple and accessible, the pressing he makes immediate and welcoming. All these years past have provided little time for Alan to write extensively and so now he begins a long-postponed desire and there are many themes waiting to be translated into books; the task is daunting and enthralling and he longs to begin in 2015
The theme of this sermon seemed to connect quite deeply with several of the congregation; it is always a moving experience when we feel the constrictions placed upon us are slowly or quickly being dissolved and broken. I noticed one sermon auditor get out her knitting (not a problem for me) but, after a few… Continue reading
Below the sermon audio is the sermon text. Today’s reading from I Samuel 3 describes a faith community that causes people to claim “I’m spiritual but not religious”. What we need reclaim is the powerful message that “I am spiritual… and religious too.” Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI; Sunday June 3rd 2018… Continue reading
I find Trinity Sunday one of the most engaging, exciting days on which to preach. I have in mind words of wisdom from early church fathers who wrote about “economic trinitarianism” (we best understand the triune God as we observe God at work) and also words from C.S.Lewis who extolled the image of God as… Continue reading
Underneath the sermon audio is the sermon text – there are several impromptu additions in the audio! Trinity Church, Newport RI; Sunday May 13th 2018 The Reverend Alan Neale; “The Lot Fell…” I find increasing joy preaching on verses that have intrigued, amused, engaged (even tickled) me over the decades. And so today, Acts 1:26… Continue reading
The mastery of fear, in all its disguises, is an ongoing task so that we might live freely. A constant return to the Lord is the path to freedom from fear… Remember: “God has not given us a spirit of/to fear; but one of power, love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7) The sermon text is… Continue reading
Within the Pentecostal Theology there is a particular movement known as “The Holiness Movement.” This is part of my spiritual history and I believe I want it to be part of my spiritual future. But “perfection/holiness” are too readily dismissed as unctuous terms at best and frustrating at worst. This sermon can only begin to… Continue reading
The sermon text is below the sermon audio! Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI Easter Day April 1 2018 The Reverend Alan Neale “Rolling Stones” A few Sundays ago our Bishop reminded us that it is an Orthodox custom for the preacher to tell a joke on Easter Day. The result is called the… Continue reading
The sermon text is below the sermon audio. Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI Saturday March 31 2018, Easter Vigil The Reverend Alan Neale “Carriers of Light” Will you think me mad or silly if I tell you that sometimes I talk to, sometimes shout at, characters on television… as if they could hear… Continue reading
This subject is crucial to living well. The sermon audio is below the text. There are a couple of significant additions in the spoken sermon. Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI; March 29th 2018 (Maundy Thursday) The Reverend Alan Neale; Vulnerability – Excruciating or Exquisite For over five years this book has been on… Continue reading
Brene Brown on “Love and Vulnerability” (from her tremendous book “Daring Greatly”) We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection Love is not something we give or… Continue reading