Audio Version Sunday November 15th, 2015 Pentecost Proper 28 Year B Daniel 12:1-3 Hebrews 10:11-25 Mark 13:1-8 With the events over the last week in Lebanon, Paris, Syria, and Iraq, I am sure the words from Jesus in the text from Mark today, seem to resonate as the times Jesus speaks of. I cannot … [Read more…]
Audio Version All Saints Year B Isaiah 25:6-9 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44 Today we remember former saints and sinners, known only now as saints, who from this congregation, have died and have been lifted to heaven. We also lift up today, all the loved saints that have passed in previous years, with their names written … [Read more…]
Audio Version Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, Monticello IA Sunday, July 19, 2015 Jeremiah 23:1–6 Psalm 23:1-6 Ephesians 2:11–22 Mark 6:30–34, 53–56 There is so much in all of our texts today. Often, I do not see a relation in the readings, but throughout these, there is a relation in all … [Read more…]
Audio Link Sunday, July 12, 2015 2 Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19 Mark 6:14–29 On the surface, the story of John the Baptist’s beheading can be seen as a tragic consequence of good versus evil. We might even be naive enough to believe that this cannot happen today. The pressures and decisions surrounding the event, cannot … [Read more…]
Audio Version Lamentations 3:23–33 Mark 5:21–43 The gospel of Mark tells of another story of the power that Jesus has. First Jesus shows His power over the natural elements, in the calming of the winds and sea. Then he shows the power He has over demons, in the casting out of demons when the Legion … [Read more…]
Audio Version Old Testament Isaiah 50:4–9a Psalm Psalm 31:9–16 New Testament Philippians 2:5–11 Gospel Mark Mark 15:1–39 Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly. He is welcomed as the King of Israel. How quickly this all changes for Jesus, His disciples and subsequently for us as well. We wave our palms, shouting Hosanna in the highest. Next thing … [Read more…]
Audio Version Sunday, February 22, 2015 First Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm 25:1–10 1 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15 I read the gospel this week and it struck me very starkly about Jesus being driven into the wilderness. When I read this, I had a sense of relief. That may seem a little strange; so … [Read more…]
Audio Version 1 Corinthians 9:16–23 Mark 1:29–39 Sickness, not being whole, comes in all forms. Our sins, keep us from being whole, as God intended. We cannot make ourselves whole. We are a broken people in need of healing. The greatest story every told, the gospel of Jesus Christ, tells us of how to be … [Read more…]
Audio Version Jonah 3:1–5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 Mark 1:14–20 How do we respond to the calling for change? Many people do not like change and often, put up a fight or flight response to change. When God is calling us to change, do we look for the change to be a change in the … [Read more…]
Audio Version 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 John 1:6–10, 19–29 Our days seem to be shorter during the winter months and in reality they are. For myself, this can make the days actually seem like darkness. We getup in darkness, often arrive home after work in darkness and go to bed in darkness. Some people, they function … [Read more…]