The rain falls & the thunder shakes

I was able to be home today worshipping at Salem Lutheran. That means that I was also able to help out a bit for worship on piano. Our organist had the idea to play and sing “God Bless America” as the postlude today acknowledging Independence Day in the United States on Tuesday. She invited me to join and help lead the song on piano while … Continue reading The rain falls & the thunder shakes

Preaching on Stewardship- July 2, 2017

Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday July 2, 2017: Revised Common Lectionary- Time after Pentecost 4A Lectionary 13 First Lesson: Jeremiah 28:5-9 Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 Second Lesson: Romans 6:12-23 Gospel of Matthew … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- July 2, 2017

Life as a Disciple, is Life as a Steward- a joyful one, but not always easy!

I was invited to lead worship and preach today at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah, Nebraska by Pastor Tyler Gubsch. Thank you Pastor Tyler for the invitation, and to the whole congregation for the warm welcome. I shared some words of gratitude about mission share and greetings within the announcements earlier in worship, and therefore, omitted them in the sermon that follows. The message was … Continue reading Life as a Disciple, is Life as a Steward- a joyful one, but not always easy!

Reflect, think, pray, and be

On this week that we move from the shouts and songs of Hosannas, to an Upper Room and a garden, to a sham of a trial and shouts of “Crucify Him,” to the cross, the tomb, and then another garden around the tomb… Allison and I took a little time yesterday afternoon to revisit a beautiful place that is special to us. With my mother-in-law … Continue reading Reflect, think, pray, and be

Clean

As I have done in previous Lents I am sharing a daily reflection as part of my Lenten discipline. This year I am using the “Wilderness Wanderings” theme compiled by the “Lent Photo a Day” group. The word appointed for February 25th was  “Clean.” Growing up at my home congregation we used to sing a version of “Create in Me a Clean Heart O God,” after … Continue reading Clean

The Fox, Hen, and Vulnerability- a sermon for Lent 2C

The following is the majority of the text that I preached from at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hazel Dell and North County this past weekend, based on the revised common lectionary passages appointed for the Second Sunday in Lent (Lent 2C). The primary text was the Gospel of Luke 13:31-35, with some references to Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, and Psalm 27.  “Go and tell that fox for … Continue reading The Fox, Hen, and Vulnerability- a sermon for Lent 2C

Law

As I have done in previous Lents I am sharing a daily reflection as part of my Lenten discipline. This year I am using the “Wilderness Wanderings” theme compiled by the “Lent Photo a Day” group. The word appointed for today is “Law.” Within ministry, theology, and seminary there is this dialectic of law and gospel. Much has been, and will continue to be written about … Continue reading Law

Ash Wednesday #Ash #lent2016 #ELCAlent2016

As I have done in previous Lents and Advents, I intend to share a daily reflection as part of my Lenten discipline this year. I will be using the “Wilderness Wanderings” theme compiled by the “Lent Photo a Day” group. In addition to reflecting on the day’s word, this year, I am going to add the unique piece of pondering what this means for me … Continue reading Ash Wednesday #Ash #lent2016 #ELCAlent2016