There’s a Voice in the Wilderness- an Advent devotional for Dec. 8, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading There’s a Voice in the Wilderness- an Advent devotional for Dec. 8, 2017

Comfort, Comfort Now My People- an Advent devotional for Dec. 7, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Comfort, Comfort Now My People- an Advent devotional for Dec. 7, 2017

All Earth is Hopeful- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 1, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading All Earth is Hopeful- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 1, 2017

Preaching on Stewardship- December 3, 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 December 3, 2017: Revised Common Lectionary- First Sunday of Advent (Year B) First Lesson: Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel of … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- December 3, 2017

Preaching on Stewardship- November 26, 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 November 26, 2017: Revised Common Lectionary- Christ the King Sunday (Year A- Last Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 34) First Lesson: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 95:1-7a Second … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- November 26, 2017

Preaching on Stewardship- November 19, 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 November 19, 2017: Revised Common Lectionary- 24th Sunday after Pentecost (Year A- Lectionary 33) First Lesson: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 Psalm 90:1-8 [9-11], 12 Second Lesson: 1 … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- November 19, 2017

Our God is a God of Love- whom we love and follow through our stewardship

I had the joy to be with the good people of First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska this weekend. I was invited by pastors Scott Frederickson and Pam Ciulla, to preach in their worship services on stewardship, and based my message on the appointed gospel text from the revised common lectionary, Matthew 21:33-46. The majority of the manuscript that I preached from is what follows.  … Continue reading Our God is a God of Love- whom we love and follow through our stewardship

Jacob’s Dream- God Comes, Promises & Invites Us.

I had the privilege of being with the good people of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilber, Nebraska on Sunday September 24, 2017 thanks to the invitation from Pastor Travis Panning. What follows is the majority of the manuscript of the sermon I preached from, which was based on the focus text of the day from the Narrative Lectionary (for week 3 of year 4 … Continue reading Jacob’s Dream- God Comes, Promises & Invites Us.

I renounce…

In baptism and the affirmation of baptism, we profess our faith together like we do most weeks in worship. But unlike our usual profession of faith, which usually involves some proclamation of a creed or statement of belief, in the baptism and affirmation of baptism liturgies, the creed is prefaced with three questions. The presiding minister begins, “I ask you to profess your faith in … Continue reading I renounce…

Take Heart, it is I, Do not be Afraid

Today I had the joy of filling in for my friend, Pastor Andrew Dietzel, leading worship and preaching at the congregations he serves- Edensburg Lutheran Church in Malmo, Nebraska and Alma Lutheran Church in Mead, Nebraska. The sermon for today was based on the gospel reading for Lectionary 19A, Matthew 14:22-33. The majority of the manuscript I preached from is below.  Grace and peace from … Continue reading Take Heart, it is I, Do not be Afraid