Tag: God

My Marathon Sermon 2026

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Each year I serve as the Co-Chaplain for the Religious Services start of the New York City Marathon.

I no longer run the race. (I ran NYC 12 times and completed 27 marathons in my running “career.”) Still, I return to Staten Island to be present at the start to to share God’s love, and to talk and pray with the runners who attend our services.

This morning I helped to officiate five different services. I miss the big race. It still holds a special place in my heart, but I am also glad to be able to inspire the runners before they embark on their own 26.2 mile journeys.

The following is my sermon from this year:

NYC Marathon Sermon 2026

Today is a glorious day, one of the best of the entire year, we are at the start of the greatest race and were are in the greatest city in the world. 

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My Sermon: 12/28/25

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On December 28, 2025, I was asked to deliver the sermon at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

What follows is the text of my sermon.

God Bless.

***

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My NYC Marathon Sermon 2025

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Even though I don’t run marathons any longer, this morning I gave back to the people, the race, and the city I love my serving as the co-chaplain at the religious service tent. It was a glorious day for the runners.

Here is the sermon I delivered at all of the services:

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Do You Believe?

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The following is the sermon I delivered at Grace United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 23, 2025. In addition to reading this article, you can also view the sermon (and the entire church service) HERE.

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Do You Believe? I Don’t Think They Did

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I’ll begin today by asking a few deep questions that seem simple at first, but, in fact, aren’t necessarily so straightforward nor easy.

  • What do you believe in? 
  • Do you believe in God?
  • Do you believe in Jesus, the Messiah?
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A Simple (but profound) Prayer

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A long time ago, while the disciples were sitting with Jesus, they asked him how to pray.  Jesus answered them.  He first told them that God already knew what was in their hearts.  He then shared with them some simple words to be used for prayer.  These are words that have profound meaning.  We know these words as The Lord’s Prayer.

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The Greatest Story Ever!

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Did you ever wait in great anticipation for a new movie or a new book?  You wait and you wait and you wait – and then finally the day comes. The book arrives or you head to the theater.

And then, it all ends too quickly.  

It’s over before you know it.  

I feel that way reading the Bible.  

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NYC Marathon Sermon 2024

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Each year, at the start of the TCS Marathon, I serve as one of the chaplains who run the Non-Denominational Christian Service for the runners in the Start Village.

The following is the sermon I delivered this year before the big race:

Marathon Sermon 2024

I am going to begin this year’s message with a passage from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 9:

“You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win!”

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Loss & Sadness and God & Jesus and Hope & Faith.

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Yesterday they buried my brother-in law- and my best friend, Mark. After a beautiful service, we drove to the cemetery, prayed during a brief graveside service, placed flowers on the casket, and said our goodbyes. We then returned to our cars and went to a repast.

And then life goes on.

Or it’s supposed to.

And it will, of course, but it’ll never be the same. It can’t be. How can anything be the same when a huge part of one’s life is missing?

I’ll turn to see Mark, and he won’t be there. I’ll think of something funny to share, but he won’t be there to share it with. I’ll think of his unqiue sayings and instead of laughing, I’ll feel am emptiness inside because I’ll never hear those words, from Mark at least, ever again.

We’re supposed to move forward – and we do. But it’s never the same.

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Resolutions and the New Year (A Sermon)

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On December 31, 2023, I was provided the wonderful opportunity to be the guest preacher at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

Here is the sermon I delivered:

Today is the day when we close 2023 and look forward to 2024.  Today is when we reflect on our past year and look forward to a new one.

It’s on the last day of the year that we might celebrate the New Years’ Resolutions that we succeeded in maintaining and it is also when we set our sights to the new day that tomorrow brings as well as the new hopes for us to find ways to be our better selves.

I set a goal for 2023 that I completed just a few days ago.  I was able to keep my New Years’ resolution.  That’s always a good feeling. 

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