5 Surprising Characteristics of Churches That Are Actually Reaching the Next Generation

I saw this blog post posted on my bishop’s site.  After reading it, it really makes sense.  Mostly, it is trusting that God is in charge and the Holy Spirit is guiding us, should we choose to respond to the Spirit Of Truth.  Take a look, see what you think.   http://careynieuwhof.com/2015/10/5-surprising-characteristics-of-churches-that-are-actually-reaching-the-next-generation/

A Nice Response to a Non-Believer

Below is a video I was tagged in from Facebook. It would be nice if we all would have the wit to respond when our faith is challenged.  Although the response does not hold a definitive response to the question of a God or not (which comes only in faith through the Holy Spirit), it … [Read more…]

Pick up your mat and respond

Below is the link to an audio version of a sermon delivered at Calvary Lutheran in Minong. Sermons Sunday, May 1, 2016 | Easter Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C First Reading Acts 16:9–15 Psalm Psalm 67 New Testament Revelation 21:10, Revelation 21:22–22:5 Gospel  John 5:1–9 Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009). … [Read more…]

Jesus’ Baptism Is Important

  Old Testament   Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm                   Psalm 29:1-11 New Testament  Acts 8:14-17 Gospel                  Luke 3:15-22   The story of Jesus’ baptism must be important.  It is one of few stories that are contained in all four gospels.  … [Read more…]

John Testifies to the Word, Son Incarnate, for All

Sunday, January 3, 2016 Second Sunday After Christmas Old Testament  Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm  147:12-20 New Testament  Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel  John 1:1-18 JOHN 1:1–18 The bolded text is this author’s additional explanation to the reading as translated by N.T. Wright. 1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was close beside God, and the Word was … [Read more…]

Where is Jesus?

Sunday, December 27, 2015 | Christmas First Sunday after Christmas:  Holy Family Year C Old Testament    1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26 New Testament Colossians 3:12–17 Gospel           Luke 2:41–52   On Christmas Eve, I asked the question, “Where is the Messiah?”  Just where is Jesus in this world around us.  Even when Jesus was a … [Read more…]

Tell the Good News, Be the Light

Currently the sermons and services are not being recorded at Calvary. Sorry for any  inconvenience this may have caused. Thursday, December 24, 2015 Christmas Nativity of the Lord Old Testament Isaiah 9:2-7 New Testament  Titus 2:11-14 Gospel  Luke 1:1-20 The time of Advent, the time of waiting for the birth of a savior can be … [Read more…]

Be Still and Trust in the Lord

Due to a technical glitch, there is no audio or video of this sermon. Sunday, December 13, 2015  Advent Third Sunday of Advent Year C Old Testament Zephaniah 3:14–20 New Testament Philippians 4:4–7 Gospel Luke 3:7–18 John’s baptism is a break from how the Jews traditionally removed their sins.  Once a year, the Jews would … [Read more…]

Keep the Faith

  Audio Version Sunday, November 29, 2015 Advent First Sunday of Advent Year C Jeremiah 33:14-16 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Isn’t it interesting that our Gospel for today, during the first Sunday of Advent, when we wait for the Messiah, the Son of God, to be born, has the Son, telling of His coming.  … [Read more…]

Brokenness

Audio Version Sunday November 8, 2015 After Pentecost Proper 27 Year B Old Testament 1 Kings 17:8–16 New Testament Hebrews 9:24–28 Gospel Mark 12:38–44 The scriptures we have today are ones that can be easily misused against people.  It would be very easy to take both the 1 Kings text and the Mark text and … [Read more…]