Claimed, gathered and sent

Here are a few thoughts about this coming Sunday's gospel, which frankly, can be confusing. What thoughts do you have? This was shared with the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . Gospel: Luke 20:27-38 27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to [Jesus] 28 and asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.”   34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in...

This is the sermon I preached on All Saints' Sunday, 11/3/19 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church . The text was Ephesians 1:11-23 . On All Saints’ [Sun]day, it is not just the saints of the church that we remember in our prayers, but all the foolish ones and wise ones, the shy ones and overbearing ones, the broken ones and whole ones, the despots and tosspots and crackpots of our lives who, one way or another, have been our particular fathers and mothers and saints, and whom we loved without knowing we loved them and by whom we were helped to whatever little we may have, or ever hope to have, of some kind of seedy sainthood of our own [says Frederick Buechner in The Sacred Journey]. Today’s second reading is telling us that all we need to know to be a saint we find in Christ. The fabulous, flowing language sweeps us away as we hear about all the wonderful things Paul asks God to do for the saints of Ephesus. This letter was meant to be circulated to other churches as well ...

Let's talk. Here are some thoughts on this coming Sunday's second lesson. We're celebrating All Saints Sunday. This was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . What are your thoughts? Second Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.   15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God ...

This is the sermon I preached on Reformation Sunday, 10/27/19 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The text is John 8:31-36 .  As I was preparing for worship today, there was a song was going through my mind, one I don’t even like. It’s “Freedom” by Richie Havens. I guess it has stayed with me because of the repetition of the word “freedom.” Some of the other lyrics are haunting as well: “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child” and “ Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone.” But of course, what is remembered the most is the word “freedom” that echoes throughout. As Americans, freedom is a concept we’re very familiar with. We fought for freedom from the British to form our own nation. Throughout our history, we have fought on behalf of others for their freedom from oppression. We have parades on various patriotic holidays to help us celebrate our liberty from oppression.  We know a lot about freedom… or do we? Just what is the kind of free...

This is the reflection that was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . I would appreciate your thoughts and comments. Gospel: John 8:31-36 31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”   34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” Bondage is a problem all over our world: financial bondage, the bondage of refugees, bondage to sickness, bondage to grief and sadness and bondage to sin, death and the power of the devil as Martin Luther tells us in The Small Catechism. Sometimes we may feel like we ar...

This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy Lutheran Church l ast Sunday, 11/20/19. The text was 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.  Everything about our lives in Christ revolves around relationship: relationship with God, relationship with each other and relationship with our community. At the center of all of this we find scripture, holding it all together. We find two critical themes in 2 Timothy concerning scripture as 1. gift of God and 2. for the practical life of God’s people. As the gift of God, scripture was intended to be part of a lively dialogue, a life-giving and dynamic interpretation, with commentaries emerging to respond to changing times, rather than as an unchanging and infallible document. God-breathed scriptures are inspiring, not imprisoning. They guide our paths, but don’t determine exactly each and every step we take. Scripture energizes and motivates instead of imprisoning and suffocating us. The sacred writings of Timothy’s childhood were the Hebrew Scr...

Here are some thoughts on the second lesson for this coming Sunday. This was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . I'd like to know what you think. I need some feedback and want to hear what you are hearing from this passage.  2 Timothy 3:14-4:5  14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,  15  and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  16  All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  17  so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 4  In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:  2  proclaim the message; be persist...