

Called to Foolishness
A sermon on Matthew 4:12-23 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. [ Photo by Sven Pieren on Unsplash ] In our denomination (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), the process for becoming a pastor is called Candidacy. It involves a variety of requirements, including both formal schooling and practical training, psychological testing, a number of writing submissions, and three separate meetings in which the candidate sits in a room full of more experienced pastors and synod leade


Expecting a Healing Repentance
A sermon on Matthew 3:1-12 [for an audio recording of this sermon, click here. Photo by SOULSANA on Unsplash.] I had a conversation earlier this week with a member of our congregation in which we shared that we had similar feelings about one of the words from today’s gospel. This made me wonder if this is a more widely shared phenomenon in our particular community. If you’re willing, please raise your hand if you generally have a bit of flinch or cringe or otherwise negative


Repentance Has a Purpose
A sermon for Ash Wednesday on Isaiah 58:1-12 [photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash.com ] Those of you who are used to hearing me in the...


The Hope in Repentance
Sermon on Luke 3:1-6 [for an audio recording of this sermon, click here. Photo by Ron Smith on Unsplash.] One of the commentaries I read...


Where It All Begins
A sermon on Mark 1:4-14, Photo: "The Spirit Descending Like a Dove," fused glass art by Serena Rice, used by permission. Our altar...


Repentance and Holy Disruption
A sermon on Matthew 3:1-12 [for an audio recording of this sermon, click here. Photo by Brandon Hoogenboom on Unsplash.] I have never...


Baptism of Christ - What Do You Expect?
A sermon on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 and Isaiah 43:1-7 (for an audio recording of this sermon, click here.) In the past couple of weeks, how...


The Good News of Change and Trust
A Sermon on Mark 1:9-15 (for an audio recording of this sermon, click here. Photo by Jared Verdi on Unsplash.) Is anyone else exhausted...


Why Repentance is Good News
A sermon on Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21. [for an audio recording of this sermon, click here. Photo by Annika Gordon on...


Preparing the Way
A Sermon on Mark 1:1-8 [for an audio recording of this sermon, click here. Photo by by Gabriel Sanchez on Unsplash] Happy second Sunday...




