The texts for Sunday, October 26, 2014 (Reformation Sunday): Jeremiah 31:31–34, Psalm 46, Romans 3:19–28 and John 8:31–36 I didn’t record the sermon this week, but I sang the gospel using Luther’s rules for the chanting of the Gospel. A practice run before worship is below. The sermon is roughly transcribed following. Audio of Gospel: Chanted GospelContinueContinue reading “The Challenge of New Things”
Tag Archives: struggle
The Way of the Cross
The texts for Sunday September 16, 2012 (Lection 24): Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 116:1–9; James 3:1–12; and Mark 8:27–38. “He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save theirContinueContinue reading “The Way of the Cross”
The Dawn from on High
The texts July 1, 2012 (moved from June 24, 2012 — the celebration of the birth of John the Baptist): Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 141; Acts 13:13–26; and Luke 1:57–80 “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness andContinueContinue reading “The Dawn from on High”
Taking Up Your Cross
The texts for Sunday, March 4, 2012: Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16; Psalm 22:23–31; Romans 4:13–25; Mark 8:31–38. I confess that I cringe when I read this gospel text. I’ve rarely heard a piece of scripture that is more frequently misused than this passage. And worse— these words are said to come straight from Jesus and seemContinueContinue reading “Taking Up Your Cross”
Waiting
The texts for Sunday, December 4, 2011: Isaiah 40:1–11; Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13; 2 Peter 3:8–15a; and Mark 1:1–8 As a person who has, in all honesty, stood by the microwave and pleaded with it to hurry up— I am probably not the one to speak with the wise experienced words of a patient waiter. Waiting is not myContinueContinue reading “Waiting”
A Little Bit of Paul
The texts for October 30, 2011: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19–28; and John 8:31–36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36 What do you need to be set free from? It’s easy to be like those listening to Jesus who want to argue that they’ve neverContinueContinue reading “A Little Bit of Paul”
The Body Broken
The texts for Sunday, September 4, 2011 are: Ezekiel 33:7–11; Psalm 119:33–40; Romans 13:8–14; and Matthew 18:15–20. … No, we only encounter that God, that God embodied in Jesus when we live, serve, struggle in community. We only encounter that God embodied in Jesus when we look into the eyes of the person whom hasContinueContinue reading “The Body Broken”
Broken Community
The texts for Sunday, September 4, 2011 are: Ezekiel 33:7–11; Psalm 119:33–40; Romans 13:8–14; and Matthew 18:15–20. “If another member of the church sins against you…” – Matthew 18:15a The hardest thing about Christian community is other people. So often, people think that Christian communities should be these really great places where everyone loves themContinueContinue reading “Broken Community”
Dancing
In a dance, one person leads and one person follows…or at least in a beautiful, smooth, natural dance. At least, I think that’s how it is supposed to work. I’ve never learned to dance … it’s not from a lack of attempts to teach me, mind you. My Grandpa tried to teach me once afterContinueContinue reading “Dancing”
Jabbok Dawn 