(Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany A, based on Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Micah 6:6-8) I’ll never forget the day about twenty years ago, when I was on my seminary internship, and my supervisor said to me, “For every pastor there comes a time when you have to decide, ‘What … More The Power of the Cross
(Sermon for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany A 2017; Matthew 4:12-23 and Isaiah 9:1-4) In every age, God’s people have lived through dark times, and in every age God has sent messengers to bear the light of God’s Word into their darkness. Today you and I are the ones called to carry the … More Learning to See with Eyes of Love
(Sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany A, January 15, 2017 + Commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Based on John 1:29-42 and Isaiah 49:1-7 ) Our sons, Peter and David, just moved into their dorm room yesterday afternoon. Of course, we’ll miss having them at home, but since they’re right here … More Called to Be Light in the Darkness
I earned a new nickname this week: “Comrade Pastor.” Wow!… My new moniker was part of a lengthy email we received in the church office this past week. I’m not sure how I feel about being dubbed “Comrade Pastor.” Part of me feels resigned to the fact that this is … More A Love Letter to My Haters
(Sermon for The Baptism of Our Lord A 2017, based on Matthew 3:13-17)
On Tuesday evening I was in the grocery store when my phone rang. I looked down at the screen to see who was calling and saw that it was Kim, Creator’s bookkeeper. I thought maybe she was calling to let me know when she would be in the office … More The One Thing That Can Never Be Taken From Us
(Sermon for Sunday, January 1, 2017, “The Name of Jesus,” based on Luke 2:15-21) It’s been kind of a rough week for our family. My 93-year-old mother went into the hospital Monday afternoon and ended up spending two days there. She was unable to eat or drink anything, because her esophagus had constricted and … More Unwrapping God’s Gift
Rose City Ramblin' 