Claimed, gathered and sent

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...

This is the e-message that went out yesterday God's people at  St. Timothy Lutheran Church.  This is my first impression of the gospel reading for this coming Sunday. 26 He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26–29 Who doesn't like a good mystery, the kind with multiple layers of intrigue in the plot? My favorites are mystery stories that let me think I know the answer to the who dun it. Then as you progress through the story you become more or less sure of  your conclusion. You go through many twists and turns in the plot until you reach the end of the story and...that's the culprit? I certainly didn...

It's been a long time since I have posted anything. I've been traveling. First for vacation, my husband, Ray, and I went to Rhode Island. It was my joy to participate in a classmate's installation service as pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Woonsocket, RI. We were in RI about a week and a half and connected with many friends. Our pace was more leisurely than previous visits. Then I was home for one week followed by a week of continuing education at my alma mater in Gettysburg. Class time and conversations were stimulating. The fellowship with old friends and new was amazing. I am finally home for a bit. Below is the sermon I shared with the congregations of Bethel Lutheran Church in Portville, NY and Bethany Lutheran Church in Olean, NY. The scripture text is Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.           From our conversations together, I know a number of you have farming or at least gardening experience. The parable of the sower lik...