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…]

The Saints are in Heaven

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…]

A Changed Reality

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…]

Good-Evil Pressures and Decisions

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…]

Faith in Jesus and His Power

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…]

Fear and Faith: Jesus Responds

  Sunday, June 21, 2015 | After Pentecost Proper 7 Year B Job 38:1–11 Psalm 107:1–3, 23–32 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 Mark 4:35–41[2] Prior to our Gospel from today, Jesus and His disciples spend the day at the seaside. When you hear that, did you think, wow, what a nice day at the beach? A mini … [Read more…]

God’s Work and the Mystery of Grace

Audio version Psalm 92:1–4, 12–15 Mark 4:26–34 I am sure by now that you may have heard that God lavishly extends God’s grace upon us. The grace of God is showered upon all, the undeserved grace given freely to all. Grace is a word that encompasses so much, yet is so elusive at the same … [Read more…]

Baptism Changes Our Reality

Audio Link Sunday, June 7, 2015 | After Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm 130: 1-8 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1 Mark 3:20–35 Isn’t it nice that we are in a different gospel today? Oh don’t get me wrong, John is great stuff, but it is nice to have another perspective of the gospel too. Last time I was … [Read more…]

Faith Hope and Holy Spirit

Audio Version Sunday, May 24th, 2015 Day of Pentecost Romans 8:22–27 John 15:26–27, 16:4b–15[1]   Welcome to Pentecost! Come Holy Spirit come. What is Pentecost? How many of us here know what Pentecost is to the Jews and how does it compare to Pentecost for Christians? Raise you hands if you want to take a … [Read more…]