Curiosity. Faith. Questions.

Jesus' sermon continues with more hard truths for us- this time about how we live in relationship with the divine and one another.

Luke's beatitudes hit at our propensity for economic violence and calls us to economic justice as a means of realizing the realm of God in the here and now.

Reading quote (below) from Preaching the Gospels Without Blaming the Jews: A Lectionary Commentary (2004) by Ronald J. Allen & Clark M. Williamson; p. 184. The term “deep water” translates the Greek bathos , that is translated “deep” in Gen. 1:2. The deep was a fierce, untamed, dark, primal sea that existed before God began to speak into existence and bring into covenantal relationship the ele...

Lectionary for 23 Jan/ 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Luke 4:14-21, for following Sunday Luke 4:21-30. It's a passage that (I think) should be read and preached together. So I did.

Preached at ELCP ahead of their annual congregational meeting. Gospel of the day (Luke 4:14-21) read, and primary preaching text was 1 Corinthians 12. Recording paused during the dialogue portion and then picked up again for the final minute.

At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine as the people around him trust without comprehending what he has done.

Sunday was a service of lessons and carols for the naming of Jesus: Savior, Christ, and Lord. Gospel lessons are followed by a brief reflection. Readings: Psalm 8 Isaiah 12:2-6 *Matthew 1:18-21 Isaiah 61:1-3, 11 *John 1:19-23. 29-34 Isaiah 6:1-8 *Luke 1:26-35 *recorded and followed by a brief reflection

Brief reflection following seven lessons (NRSV) and carols (ELW- Evangelical Lutheran Worship). Genesis 1:1-5, 14-18 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear v.3-4 Micah 5:2-5a O Little Town of Bethlehem v.3-4 Luke 1:26-35, 38 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came v.1-2 Matthew 1:18-25 That Boy-Child of Mary v.1-2 Luke 2:8-20 Angels from the Realms of Glory v.1-2 Matthew 2:1-11 In the Bleak Midwinter v.2-3 John...

Think about the nativity scenes you've seen...

Even in-utero John proclaims Jesus as the Holy One, the Messiah. The Magnificat- Mary's (or Elizabeth's) song is a song of revolution. Hymn of the day, based off the Magnificat: ELW 723, Canticle of the Turning (one of my absolute favorites!). Church musician Robert Morehead (Emmanuel Lutheran Church) presents on and plays it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE8oe9qM5Cc And church musician Ti...

Advent 3, following Advent 2: John the Baptizer reminding us of covenant, practicing mercy and justice, generosity, and integrity. The quote from Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, professor at Iliff School of Theology: "When soldiers ask John the Baptist what they must do, John responds that they must not use coercion or extortion against anyone. But an empire can only be sustained by its army carrying o...

First Sunday in new call! Two-point; both recorded, second recorded and posted (first available upon request).

This Sunday is known in the calendar as Christ the King Sunday. It is the last Sunday of the Church year, and was my final Sunday in this congregation which has its closing service Jan 9. The tweet I quote: Nadia Bolz-Weber @Sarcasticluther Pope Pius XI established Christ the King Sunday in 1925 to counter what he regarded as the destructive forces of facism and the totalitarian claims of Nazi ide...

Mark's people are stressed, feeling the end of all they knew upon them. Jesus speaks to their hurt and trauma.

Assigned lectionary was John 11:32-44. I read 11:1-54 to let the text, the story speak for itself. Congregation has started process to close, has no traditions around All Saints.

References to Phyllis Tickle's 2008 book, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why . I highly recommend reading it. Context, referenced: congregation voted two weeks ago to pursue Holy Closure, and will finish worshipping together in early January. Change is hard.

It seems we aren't familiar with Bartimaeus because his story showing up in the lectionary usually conflicts with Reformation Sundays.

"Jesus loves you, but I'm his favorite." The baptized life is about service, care and concern for the oppressed and vulnerable, not occupying places of favor or honor. Small congregation voting on closure after several months of dedicated discussion, which followed years of "kicking the can down the road."

Congregation will meet next week after worship to vote on council recommendation to close. Hard conversations have been had and will be had. The young, rich man was given a hard choice. What happened to him?

Reminder: Jesus said divorce is bad, and NOTHING about gays or other LGBTQ+ people. We are made for relationship with the Divine and one another. This means healthy, nurturing, caring, loving relationships. Abusive relationships of any sort are antithetical to the Gospel and God's Creation, ongoing creative activity.

Lots of references to myriad things, including this sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v00iAqhUno&t=791s Congregation is grappling with upcoming vote to close.

Small congregation without live music. Worshipped outside to resume singing during worship. Music for worship played from YouTube* and we sang along. Hymn referenced at end of sermon ( All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen): https://youtu.be/U-S-Peltx-c . *Thank you Halifax Lutheran Church/Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and Tim McNabb. Your channel/recordings are what we use every week ( https://ww...

Got an excellent follow-up/clarifying question after worship about identifying Jesus with the cross at this point. Remember, the gospels were written ~40+ years following Jesus' resurrection and ascension and are NOT first person accounts. The writers wrote to different audiences and had different ways of emphasizing the life and ministry of Jesus. Also, Jesus wasn't crucified for going around tel...

Pretty sure I spent too much time on a geography lesson and not enough on Jesus.

Assigned lectionary is Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Read Mark 7:1-15, 17-23 (no v.16; some translations offer one. Mark is weird). Remember: Jesus was Jewish and we shouldn't use our scriptures to disparage Judaism/Jewish people. Warning: lots of rhetorical questions for your deeper consideration.