Home of the Darkwater Author
This is an adapted version of the sermon I preached this morning, the Fourth Sunday in Lent. The gospel reading was John 9:1-42. It's printed below throughout the sermon, because of the particular way I preached today. 1As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, … Continue reading Breaking Through (Sermon)
On Sunday, March 12, 2023, I led a worship service called "The Darkness May Linger, But Hope Abides." The theme of the service was to honestly lament all that we'd lost over the last three years in the COVID-19 pandemic, and also to proclaim the hope that God provides. This is an adapted form of … Continue reading Hope Abides (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. It was also the celebration of the Holy Baptism of two infants, Riley and Aiden Miller. The text I preached on was the second reading, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. You can watch a video of this sermon here. Good … Continue reading The Rhythm of God’s Grace (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. It was the Third Sunday after Epiphany, and also the second Sunday of our Stewardship Campaign. I preached on the Second Reading, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. You can view the sermon here (it starts around 25:40). By God’s great mercy, we are refreshed with … Continue reading Refreshed with the Power of God (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, October 23, 2022. The gospel text was Luke 18:9-14. There was once a Sunday School teacher who taught this story to her students. After telling the story, she helped the kids to understand where the Pharisee had gone wrong, by thinking he was … Continue reading Real Confession (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, September 25, 2022. The gospel reading I preached on was Luke 16:19-31. I recommend you read it here before proceeding with the sermon. Okay. First things first. This story is not about the afterlife. It’s not about God’s plan for us in eternity. … Continue reading But Nothing Changed (Sermon)
In just two days, my first book, Darkwater: A Pastor’s Memoir of Depression and Faith, will officially be released. I’ve been asking you some questions related to themes in the book. I invite you to answer in the comment section! In the book Darkwater, I talk about hearing the voice of God throughout my life. … Continue reading A Question for You about the Good Voices
Last week, I had the honor of officiating at a graveside funeral. It was simple. The family wanted only the simplest form of funeral – no sermon, no eulogy, just the scripture, the prayers, the commendation, the committal. The woman whom I buried never joined my church – but she was an active worshiper there … Continue reading What I Didn’t Say to You at a Funeral
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached tonight, Good Friday. The gospel text was John 18:1 -- 19:42. On Sunday, we heard the Passion of Our Lord according to Luke. And I invited you to write down questions that the story brought up in you. A few of you did so, and … Continue reading Who Am I in the Face of the Cross? (Good Friday Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this evening, Maundy Thursday. The gospel text was John 13:1-17, 31b-35. I also refer to Numbers 20:1-13. On Sunday, we heard the Passion of Our Lord according to Luke. And I invited you to write down questions that the story brought up in you. A … Continue reading For You (Maundy Thursday sermon)
Scholtes-Blog 