“Faith is Active, Not Passive”- a stewardship sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 29- Year C)

“Faith is Active, Not Passive”- a #stewardship sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 29C) for Immanuel Lutheran in Omaha based on Luke 18:1-8, for October 16, 2022. Continue reading “Faith is Active, Not Passive”- a stewardship sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 29- Year C)

I Know that My Redeemer Lives! – a Stewardship sermon for Lectionary 32C/Pentecost 22C

It was a joy to be with the good people of Alma Lutheran Church in Mead, Nebraska on Sunday November 10, 2019. Thank you to Pastor Quinlan Koch and Alma’s Stewardship Committee for the invitation, and to the whole congregation for the warm welcome. I had the privilege of leading worship, preaching, and leading the Children’s Sermon too. The manuscript of what I largely preached … Continue reading I Know that My Redeemer Lives! – a Stewardship sermon for Lectionary 32C/Pentecost 22C

God’s Story, Our Stories, and God’s On-Going Story for Us

It was a great joy to be invited to preach today (March 11, 2018) at Salem Lutheran in Fontanelle, by my wife and the congregation’s pastor, Allison. What follows is the majority of the manuscript I preached from, based on the revised common lectionary’s appointed gospel, John 3:14-21, and epistle, Ephesians 2:1-10 for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Lent 4B). Grace and peace from God … Continue reading God’s Story, Our Stories, and God’s On-Going Story for Us

Once in Royal David’s City- an Advent devotional for Dec. 12, 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 Once in Royal David’s City- an Advent devotional for Dec. 12, 2017

God’s Economic Delivery System- Open Handed, Generous, & For Us

I had the joy to be with the good people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska today, thanks to the invitation of Pastor Russell McDowell. I was invited to share today’s message as part of the congregation’s Stewardship Celebration Sunday, the Sunday they received financial commitments for the year ahead. The theme for their stewardship focus has been “Live Generously,” with today’s focus … Continue reading God’s Economic Delivery System- Open Handed, Generous, & For Us

Joy

The following is a reflection that I shared in worship on Wednesday December 14th at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Nebraska as part of the congregation’s mid-week Advent worship series on “Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.” The focus passage for the evening was Luke 1:47-55.  The beautiful words of Mary’s Magnificat ring in our ears. Perhaps the song we’ve been singing on Sundays during offering … Continue reading Joy

Meaningful Gifts- Stories Remembered While Packing

Last week I shared another reflection on the COMPASS blog as part of its “Christmas in July” series, focused on sharing reflections and ideas about gifts and giving. The following is an excerpt of that post, and I hope you will want to check out the whole reflection here.  I currently find myself in the midst of more boxes than anything else. My wife Allison … Continue reading Meaningful Gifts- Stories Remembered While Packing