Sloth or Caterpillar?

 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…]

What about Christmas Anyway?

Audio Version Isaiah 9:2-7 Luke 2:1-20 When I first went to write this sermon, I wondered how I was to write a Christmas sermon, after Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Today, technically in the church year, is the first Sunday after Christmas but it is also the season of Christmas in the church year. I … [Read more…]

Witness to the Light

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…]

Shepherd King

Audio Version Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100:1-5 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46   I think for many of us, but I can really only speak for myself, when I hear the word King it brings all sorts of images to my mind. We don’t live in a monarchy society and I suspect most of us have not … [Read more…]

Be Prepared

Audio Version Wisdom of Solomon 6:17–20 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 Put off today, what you can do tomorrow. Isn’t that what we do sometimes? Maybe some of us do this, a little more often than others. I am guilty of that, especially when it comes to school work or projects I just don’t have … [Read more…]

Death in Law – Life in Jesus

Sermon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Cassville WI Audio Version Micah 3:4-12 Psalm 43:1-5 1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 Matthew 23:1–12 The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 23rd Chapter Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat (for us today this would be parallel to … [Read more…]

Environmental Stewardship: Being with / With being

This sermon was preached for a Stewardship Preaching class Audio Version Setting from Revised Common Lectionary New Years Day, ABC[1] Ecclesiastes 3:1–13 Psalm 8:1-9 Revelation 21:1–6a Matthew 25:31–46 Psalm 8 1     O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2        Out of … [Read more…]

Invitation / Stewardship

Audio Link An alternative version of the sermon from the first service can be seen below. Luke 15:1-10 Can we truly put a price tag on life itself? We hear of individual lawsuits over loved ones that have died. There are class action suits on behalf of multiple people that have died. Maybe a judge … [Read more…]

Love of Neighbor, Even when Wronged

Audio Version Psalm 119:33–40 Romans 13:8–14 Matthew 18:15–20 Our gospel today is just so jammed packed full of good stuff that Jesus tells his disciples, you and me and all those that are members of the Christian church. The verses of 15-17 are key for resolving conflict but most specifically conflict with a fellow disciple. … [Read more…]

Respond, Step out and Trust Jesus

Audio Link [youtube:http://youtu.be/lW2vcgw0pa0] 1 Kings 19:9–18 Psalm 85:8–13 Romans 10:5–15 Matthew 14:22–33 Our God comes to us in many shapes and forms.  God loves us and wants the best for us always.  God loves all of humanity and wants the best for all of God’s creatures.  Do you believe that God the Father loves you, … [Read more…]