Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I preached on Sunday, 6/16/24 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church . The scripture text is Mark 4:26-34 . Ray and I love mysteries-the kind with multiple layers of intrigue. My favorites are those stories that let me think I know the answer to who dun it. I really like the mysteries of the Canadian show, “Murdoch Mysteries.” As the story continues, you become more or less sure of the conclusion you have reached. The plot twists and turns until you reach the end of the story and…THAT’S the culprit? Didn't see that coming at all. Life in Christ has its share of mysteries. We think we know how God is leading us and then--BAM--God comes on the scene, and we are blown away by the way God has worked in the situation. We didn't see that coming.  Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. We may think of a parable as a story that illustrates a truth. It is different from a fable; a clever story meant to offer insight and instruction about life, like Aesop's Fables. Parable...

Greetings. This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy Lutheran Church and at St. Mark Lutheran Church , last Sunday, June 14. The scripture was Mark 4:26-34. Who doesn't like a good mystery--the kind with multiple layers of intrigue in the plot? My favorites are those stories that let me think I know the answer to the who dun it. I really like the mysteries of Mary Higgins Clark. As the story continues, you become more or less sure of the conclusion you have reached. The plot twists and turns until you reach the end of the story and...THAT ’ S the culprit? Certainly didn't see that coming. In many ways, life in Christ has its share of mysteries. We think we know how God is leading us or what is happening next in someone's life and then-- BAM --God comes on the scene and we are blown away by the way God has worked in the situation. We didn't see that coming. Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. Just what is a parable? We may think of a parable as a s...