John 1: 29-42a Evangelism can be a scary word for some. Perhaps that is because it can seem so foreign to us. In our minds, evangelism is marvelous and miraculous. But we live in the mundane, meaning evangelism happens in some place other than our lives. So we don’t relate. But John shows us that […]
Isaiah 42:1-9 “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” God said through the prophet Zechariah. So does Isaiah describe God’s Servant in chapter 42nd of the book that bears his name. This prophecy points forward to Jesus who is the fulfillment. Matthew, in his recording of the baptism of Jesus, makes sure […]
Matthew 2:1-12 The story of the visit of the Magi may seem like child’s play as we think of children rearranging the figurines. Yet it is anything but child’s play. It is cosmic, political and most of all personal. Sermon Date: January 5, 2020
James 5:7-11 Patience is of two kinds. The kind we practice with one another and the kind we practice in relation to God. One mark of a Christian congregation is that we are patient with one another, not grumbling. It is important for us to show this kind of patience. The other is a patience […]
Matthew 3:1-12 At the beginning of the Church Year we are again reminded that our salvation begins with God coming to us. The story begins in the Old Testament with God’s promises, finds its fulfillment in the coming of Christ, and continues in our day through the work of the Spirit in Word and Sacrament. […]
Stewardship might seem to be a strange theme for the season of Advent, but actually it is quite appropriate. God’s coming to us in the incarnation of Christ redeems our lives and our world. Giving these things back to God in faith then becomes pleasing to God. It is a joy to know that God […]
The Last Sunday of the Church year reminds us that history is linear; there is a last day and God is moving history to that end. The promise of Christ’s return, along with all of his promises, gives us hope. We may be tempted to lose hope given the circumstances of our world. But in […]
Luke 21:5-28 It may seem rather strange to us the way that Jesus places violence and troubled times before our eyes with his words in Luke 21. They can be difficult to hear and we would rather dwell on positive themes. However, a closer look at the passage indicates that Jesus’ purpose is to help […]
Hebrews 4:15-16 The Scriptures are very clear that the end times will be troubled times. A quick look around us at the events of the world confirms that. But Paul assures us that God is a God of comfort. And as Hebrews tells us that comfort comes at least in part because we have a […]
Psalm 30:5 Psalm 30 reminds us that weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes in the morning. Nobody needs to teach us about weeping that tarries for the night. We have all experienced restless, even distressful nights. But God’s promise is that joy comes with the morning. That morning breaks as Jesus comes […]