picture taken during the Pamoja conference in Tanzania.
Based on John 3: 1-17, this sermon, preached on the Second Sunday in Lent, speaks about the mystery of God’s creative Spirit that links us to Christ and brings us together.
Listening On the Mountain
picture that I took while watching the sun rise - N’an’ange, Tanzania.
Based on Matthew 17: 1-9, this sermon, preached on Transfiguration Sunday, speaks about God’s call to discipleship, to follow in the ways of Jesus.
Making the Music of Christ Together
Based on Matthew 4: 12-22, this sermon, preached on St. James Lutheran’s Annual Meeting Sunday, speaks about Jesus’s call to repentance as an invitation to discipleship.
Baptized, Present, and Longing
Based on Matthew 3:13-17, this sermon, preached on The Baptism of Our Lord, speaks about the Christian’s need to be both available in the present as well as participating in the coming Kingdom of God. In it, I mention my beginning preparations for the Pastoral Mission to Tanzania that I will be taking at the end of the month with a group of rostered-leaders (pastors and a deacon) from the St. Paul Area Synod to Iringa, Tanzania.
Starting Vision for a New Year and a New Decade
Here is the first sermon that I preached in 2020. Based on John 1:10-18, this message seeks a vision from scripture to head into the New Year and the New Decade of the 2020’s.
Resurrected Children of God
I preached this sermon on November 10, 2019. It is based on Luke 21. Responding to the pointed questions of his critics, Jesus gives the image of being a child of the resurrection. He invites us into that new identity.
For ALL the broken, beloved, and imperfect saints of God
I preached this sermon on All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2019. It is based on the appointed text from Luke’s gospel. Jesus teaches in the beatitudes about blessings and woes. He invites us to love. As a community of faith and struggle, we respond together sharing our gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Practicing Reformation
I preached this sermon on Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2019. It is based on the appointed text from John 8. Jesus invites us to be active and practice our faith. Knowing that this can be a hard thing to do, God gives us the Spirit that reforms, renews, and reshapes our spiritual lives.
Picking Up the Sidewalk Chalk
I preached this sermon on Sunday, October 6. It is based on an expanded lectionary reading of Luke 17: [1-4] 5- and centers on Jesus’s teaching about forgiveness. We are invited by our Lord to participate in acts of forgiveness on a regular basis. It is not always easy and can often be messy. But, this effort is part of God’s larger work of restoration that includes justice, hospitality, inclusion, and grace.
The Next 80 Years
I preached this sermon on the 80th Anniversary celebration worship of St. James Lutheran Church. It is based on Luke 15 and the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. Jesus shares these parables of God’s kingdom to let us know about God’s unbounded love, grace, and hospitality. The church is at its best when we share similar values with each other and our neighbors.
Beyond Our Tribe
I preached this sermon on Rally Day, which is the start of the ministry year in September. It is based on Luke 14:25-33, which is one of Jesus’s hardest teachings. Jesus invites his disciples to push away from or reject tribal connections that separate and get in the way of the expanding nature of the gospel. Carrying the cross is to embrace an outward stance towards life.
Following the Law of Love
In this sermon, based on the story of Jesus’s healing on a Sabbath (found in Luke chapter 13), I look at the gospel’s invitation to follow God’s law of love over those things that prevent us from so doing.
Letting the Air Out of Greed
In this sermon, based on Jesus’s teaching on greed (found in Luke 12), I look at the gospel’s invitation to turn our energy and effort outward in the direction of God.
A Praying People
In this sermon, based on the story of Jesus teaching his disciples to pray from Luke’s Gospel, I look at how we pray. God teaches us to be A Praying People
Listening to the God that is Close
In this sermon, based on the story of Martha and Mary from Luke’s Gospel, I look at the importance of focusing and centered ourselves in God’s ever near presence. I use the experience of St. James Lutheran Church’s trip to the Badlands as an illustration.
Traveling with Mercy
I preached this sermon on July 14, the Sunday before leaving on a church trip to the Badlands, South Dakota. It is based on Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan (found in Luke 10.). Jesus places defines neighbor in wide terms and invites us to do the same as we seek to love God and be faithful followers.
Unending Easter
I preached this sermon on the Seventh Sunday of Easter. It is based on Jesus’s prayer of unity for his disciples (found in John 17.). Jesus places love at the heart of relationships for the church and in the extended lives of his followers.
Easter - Listening to God's Voice
I preached this sermon on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. It is based on John 10:22-30. Jesus makes listening to his voice and following his actions the hallmark of belonging to Christian community.
Easter - Breath in the Midst of Fears and Doubts
I preached this sermon on the Second Sunday of Easter. It is based on an Easter story from John 20:19-31. In the midst of a locked room, Christ enters and breathes new life, animating believers and the church.
Easter Hope Shining Through
I preached this sermon on Easter Sunday. It is based on the Easter story from Luke Chapter 24. In the midst of darkness, pain, and the world’s hatred, Easter shines the light of resurrection and hope.