Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Cincinnati

On this Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Alex reflects on what the Kingdom of Heaven is. It's not a fancy building, but an idea or better yet - a way of living. But how do we do it like we are commanded to in the Lord's Prayer? The Kingdom is all around us, we just need to look for it and amplify its signal; where do you glimpse the Kingdom of Heaven in your lives?

It's a dark gospel reading for this week, full of images of dark and gloom. Pastor Heidi reminds us that reading is not meant to fill us with an overwhelming sense of despair, but to let us know that even when our world ends - whether it is the death of a loved one, personal illness, or addiction - that Jesus is with us in those moments. That the best thing we can do in the face of the worst is to...

Pastor Alice explores the reasons why our worlds can seem upside down and how that brings us closer to God.

On this All Saints Weekend, Pastor Heidi reflects on the ups and downs of people's path through life and how Jesus tries to level the ground for all of us.

On this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Pat reflects on the passages of Scripture that formed Martin Luther's faith and how those passages set us free through God's grace.

What's in a name? Actually a lot! We all have a lot of labels given to us in our lives - some good, some bad, some that give us shame. But Pastor Heidi reminds us that through our baptism and faith there is a name more powerful than all - "Beloved Child of God".

In this week's readings, we hear a story of a person that is made whole again, not just physically, but also spiritually through his faith. Pastor Heidi reminds us that gratitude is similar to a muscle - in order to build it, you need to practice it.

Pastor Alice reminds us that confession is about being caught, but about being honest with ourselves. It's an opportunity to turn back to God and be held gently in our shortcomings.

This week's Gospel reading is all about death and what happens afterwards, but Pastor Heidi reminds the lesson is for the living - how do we live so that we have fewer regrets?

Pastor Alex reminds us that the Kingdom Jesus talks about isn't devoid of money, but it's a people first economy. We shouldn't let our relationships serve money, but rather remember that relationships are the most important things in our lives.

Pastor Heidi reminds us that there is nothing you have to do to earn you way into the Kingdom of God - that it is by the GRACE of God alone that grants us eternal life.

Pastor Heidi wonders what the grace of God looks like in our hands? What gives us breath? Listen to the sermon that reveals the mystery surrounded by God's Work - Our Hands!

Pastor Alice builds an alter and explores what it means to entertain angels in our lives. What does hospitality look like?

Pastor Heidi wonders who are the forgotten people that don't get noticed in our lives and how we are called to care for them.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Alex asks us who the "us" and "them" is in our lives? Where do you find divisiveness in your life? Is it because of a sports team, political views, or something else? Pastor Alex reminds us that Jesus' ministry is not about God changing "them" but about Him changing YOU.

With all of the violence and sadness going on, it can some times be hard to see God's Kingdom in our lives. Pastor Heidi reminds us that it does exist and that we can continue to bring the kingdom to others by caring for others and minding the gap!

In this week's message, Pastor Pat reflects on the rich farmer described in Luke 12:13-21. The rich farmer decided to keep his abundance to himself, but died before he was able to enjoy it. Pastor Pat reminds us that the farmer is not a fool because of his possessions, but because he failed to realize that true security is only found in God. That are possessions are a gift from God to be shared wi...

Pastor Heidi reflects on what prayer looks like in our lives. In the end, Pastor Heidi reminds us that God wants to be in relationship with us and that we can rest assured that God is listening.

Our Diaconal intern, Matthew, preaches on this week's Gospel reading. Having been a chef, Matthew related to Martha in this week's sermon - always being too busy to relate to the homeless men that he served in Chicago. He also challenges us to not be caught up in "doing", but rather be caught up in being with Jesus.

This week's sermon reading is the story of the Good Samaritan. Pastor Alex examines what it means to be the Samaritan, complete with a Mr Roger's Neighborhood reference. Some times it's not convenient to help the person on the side of the road, but Jesus doesn't call us to do what is convenient. Whatever meets you on your road, Jesus is by your side.

Have you ever been sent out on an adventure, but told to leave the packing list behind and only take a few things with you while hoping for the generosity of others to help you along the way? That's what Jesus commanded his disciples to do this week, as he sent them out into the surrounding area. Pastor Heidi reflects back on her pilgrimage in light of this reading and thinks of a sign she saw: If...

"Just one little minute!" Pastor Alex reminds us in this week's sermon that the gospel-train of Jesus is not stopping for anyone of us. That Jesus' ministry might be inconvenient for those of us with plans, but that sometimes we have to drop what we are doing to follow Him.

In this week's Gospel reading, Jesus heals a man who calls himself Legion. Pastor Heidi asks us how we identify ourselves - is it by our perceived shortcomings or by the ways we excel? She reminds us that no matter how bad we view ourselves, that is the place that Jesus will always meet us - that there is no place and no person that is Godforsaken.

On this Trinity Sunday, Pastor Alex examines how our identity is linked to God's identity. That the easiest way to think about the Holy Trinity what the means to God's identity is to remember that God is LOVE.

As we celebrate Pentecost today, Pastor Alice examines the idea that many times we may be using the same words, but we are not speaking the same language. What are the ways that God calls us to hear different languages in our own lives?