Sermons with Reverend Killjoy

Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion, Lectionary Year B John 12:12-19 Mark 15 For this sermon I stuck to a script almost word-for-word, a style I rarely employ these days. I think it worked well enough. Welcome to Holy Week.

Today's lesson from Ephesians offers perhaps the Bible's clearest explanation of how Lutherans understand God's work in Jesus. In today's sermon we all talk about how we've seen God intervene in the places where people need God's grace the most.

Third Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year B Exodus 20: 1-17 The Ten Commandments are one of the most famous and important writings in all of Christian or Jewish scripture. In such a rich and history-shaping text, there is always something new to learn about God and our relationship with God.

Second Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year B Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 God's covenant with Abraham and Sarah is the beginning of a relationship that affects our lives, churches, and geopolitical situation to this day. What does this covenant teach us about following Jesus together?

First Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year B Genesis 9:8-17 God's promise to Noah and his family is the first of the covenants in which God attempts to build a healthy relationship between humans and God. What does it mean that God is the one who changes in this covenant?

Transfiguration of Our Lord, B Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 In a world ruled by fear, evil, and violence, where is our God? Where are God's people?

Transfiguration of Our Lord, Lectionary Year B Mark 9:2-9 Jesus' transfiguration on the mountaintop raises profound questions about who Jesus is. As we plunge from this pinnacle into the season of Lent, how do Jesus' humanity and divinity, his life and death shape our lives?

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B Mark 1:29-39 Resurrection is new life brought from death. In the kingdom of God, resurrection is a reality right now. Where have you seen or experienced resurrection?

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B Mark 1:21-28 In Mark's Gospel, Jesus' first public act is to teach in the synagogue and set a person free from an unclean spirit. Can we recognize and confront evil like Jesus did?

Third Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B Mark 1:14-20 Mark's is the right now Gospel, reminding us of the urgency of Jesus' life and ministry. How can that urgency shape the ways we follow Jesus?

Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B John 1:43-51 Despite what we may say or think about "other" places and the "other" people there, Jesus can reach anyone, anywhere, and transform their lives. Your life.

Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B Acts 19:1-7 In baptism we become members of the body of Christ, the church. In baptism we also receive the Holy Spirit. How can the church follow the Holy Spirit as we seek to live our our baptismal identity as the body of Christ?

Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7 Luke 2:1-20 At Christmas we hear about the Prince of Peace, and attribute that title to Jesus. What is peace? Where do we find it? How does peace fit into God's incarnation in Jesus?

Second Sunday of Advent, Lectionary Year B Mark 1:1-8 We celebrate a baptism as we read about John the Baptist. What can we learn from these first biblical stories about our own baptisms?

First Sunday of Advent, Lectionary Year B Isaiah 64:1-9 Mark 13:24-37 The readings for the first Sunday of Advent always seem to be about the end of the world, when in fact they are about a new beginning in the usual manner of how God moves the church and the world forward. As our congregation faces financial pressures for 2018, we watch for God to do a new thing in our congregation, and we ask wh...

Christ the King Sunday, Lectionary Year A Matthew 25:31-46 Our guest preacher today is Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational and Leadership Excellence in the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA.

24th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25: 14-30 Sometimes life feels like mess after mess, and we are left to trust that through Jesus, God gives grace in a graceless world.

23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Amos 5:18-24 "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." These powerful words from Amos cut through all the madness of our news cycles. If our worship and faith practices do not direct us toward the needs of our neighbors, then who are we really worshiping?

All Saints Sunday, Lectionary Year A Revelation 7:9-17 1 John 3:1-3 On All Saints we remember those who have gone before us, even as we look ahead to future generations of believers. Even so, now is the time for us to be the church.

Reformation Sunday John 8:31-36 500 years of reformation, 50 years of Lutheran Church of the Savior. Reformation and transformation: how is the Holy Spirit transforming the church?

20th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Matthew 22:15-22 Despite the idols we carry with us, the false gods in whom we put our trust, God is still God. Jesus is God in the world, for us.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus tells a challenging parable about a wedding banquet, about being ready to be transformed by God's grace.

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Matthew 21:33-46 Jesus' story of murderous tenants feels frighteningly resonant in light of the latest large-scale mass shooting and the other news of the week. How are we to follow Jesus in such a messed-up world? What can we hold on to?

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Matthew 21:23-32 Today, guest preacher C.J. Clark returns to offer a gospel word from Living Water Ministries, our outdoor ministry partner for summer camp and so much more.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells a very relatable parable of jealousy and generosity. Where do we find ourselves in this story?