This is an adapted version of the sermon I preached this morning, the First Sunday of Advent. The gospel text was Matthew 24:36-44. Oh boy oh boy oh boy. It’s Advent! And we all know what Advent means. Advent is a season of waiting, and we all know what we’re waiting for. The baby Jesus! … Continue reading The Most Wonderful Time (Sermon)
I must say this. I have to take a stand. As a Christian in this nation, I am increasingly upset every year. Each December, as I make my way through streets and stores, I hear holiday greetings. But never, never do I hear the name of the holiday I am celebrating. It's sickening. Oh sure, … Continue reading Merry Christmas? Bah!
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, the Feast of Christ the King. We also had a special "hunger emphasis" in worship this morning. The gospel text was Luke 23:33-43. Have you ever been hungry? Sure you have. Heck, I’m kind of peckish right now. But I’ve never been hungry … Continue reading The King who Feeds Us (Sermon)
Last week, I wrote a post about a recent event I attended with about six or seven other church leaders. While there, we were invited to answer the "Four Quaker Questions" together. I wrote about the first three questions in that post. If you didn't read it, feel free to go there now. Don't worry … Continue reading The 4th Quaker Question
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Luke 21:5-19. It’s all falling apart, isn’t it? You know, our world, our nation. Our community. Our church. Even our bodies. It’s all falling apart. Of course, Jesus said it would. Jesus stood outside the temple, the majestic, magnificent … Continue reading Not a Hair on Your Head (Sermon)
I was recently at a meeting where the leader led us in something called the "Four Quaker Questions." A little bit of googling has led me to believe that these questions are widely used as icebreakers in religious groups, but that they have no connection whatsoever to the Society of Friends (aka the Quakers). That's … Continue reading Answering the Quaker Questions
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Luke 20:27-38. As Lutherans, we don’t tend to talk about heaven very much. We usually focus more on how Christ affects us in this life. But in November, as we approach the end of the church year in two … Continue reading What on Earth is Heaven? (Sermon)
