Former Senior Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland
“Before we go forth in mission, how is God bringing people to us?” This and other questions are addressed. Also, Herod, and modern day leaders are put to the test of a sovereign God! Isaiah 60:1, Matthew 2:1-12
The preposition “for” is the key to God’s identity at Christmas time. “For us” and “For you” become life giving connections to the Christmas story. For real! Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2: 1-20
Today the preacher is preaching to the choir: We rejoice because God rejoices in us. Zephaniah 3:14-20
Whereas Christ the King Sunday proclaims Jesus above all political ideology; Whereas the answer to the question “what is truth?” is found in Christ the King of the universe; and Whereas our hearts will remain restless until the day of Christ’s return; now, therefore, be it Resolved, on the 25th day of November 2018, we […]
Using Jesus’ teaching on the apocalypse and Hebrews’ “provoked to love” the preacher speaks to the Christian’s response to bad news and apocalyptic worry. Included are illustrations of 9/11 museum from a recent church tour. Mark 13:8, Hebrews 10:23-25 Image Credit: InSapphoWeTrust/Flickr
This Stewardship sermon considers the question: Who do we unbind and let go now that Jesus has raised the dead? Included in this sermon is a reference to the Tree of Life, Squirrel Hill tragedy and the birth of the preacher’s granddaughter, Carmen Blanchard John 11:32-44
Reformation Sunday, the day after the horrific tragedy at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, we are encouraged to be faithful. The preacher defines faith as “singing and praying our fearful hearts into a state of courage!” Psalm 46
The beginning of our stewardship campaign “Graceful Giving” includes a homily that begs the question “Why is God so Mindful of Human Kind?” Included is reference to the newly baptized steward, Grace Brackin. Psalm 8
Using the texts from James and Mark on ambition and greatness, the preacher uses Jesus’ words “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all,” to challenge the hearer to examine one’s own motives for greatness or not so greatness! Mark 9:30-37, James 3:16
We come from a long line of hungry people in our families and church. Jesus still feeds us in the sacrament every Lord’s day! John 6:24-35