Unlike most data about church attendance that relies on self-reported responses to survey questions, a new working paper by Devin G. Pope relies on cell phone data. And, amazingly, finds that "73% of people step into a religious place of worship at least once during the year on the primary day of worship (e.g. Sundays for most Christian churches)" Exploring the 73% It is astonishing that more than 7 in 10 Americans physically show up in houses of worship at least once a year. It is even Read More …
2025 is God’s Year to Act (#2192)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we continued our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Gods Year to Act” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 4:1-14-30 You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt When I think about modern day good news for the poor, especially on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, I think of the Poor People’s Campaign. Nearly everyone knows that Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights pioneer Read More …
Star Words: Clarity, Faith, Believe (#2191)
This Epiphany I introduced Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) to star words. In doing so I learned that this was the first time words were received in worship and that the entire concept was new to many people. Overview For those just learning about star words, I encourage you to google around and learn more. In brief this new Epiphany practice invites people to choose a star. Only after choosing do they turn it over to learn the word it contains. That word - a star word - is then intended as Read More …
Remember Your Baptism (#2190)
This morning we celebrated the Baptism of our Lord. at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). Sermon My message, “Living Wet” is based on Luke 3:1-22. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Getting back to Martin Luther . . . There are so many stories about him and baptism, including the one I shared during the children’s message. You have to wonder if there is something to the legend of him with a large sign in his room that read “when you wash Read More …
10 Best Books of the 2020s (#2189)
Each year I publish a Top 10 Books of the Year list highlighting the ten best books I read that were published that year. And, each year, I mention the two books on that list that had the greatest impact on me personally. The list below brings together the top two books from each of the last five years to create a list of the best books of the 2020s (listed in alphabetical order by author's last name): If you'd like to learn more about some older books with similar impact, check Read More …
Epiphany: Chalk, Stars, and Journeying Anew (#2188)
This morning we celebrated Epiphany. at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). Sermon My message, “Starry Wisdom," is based on Matthew 2:1-12. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Happy New Year! Since we last gathered for worship, we have welcomed a new year. 2025 is here! I’m wondering how you celebrated this year’s arrival. Perhaps we could divide the sanctuary into those who stayed up until midnight and those who did not. Or Read More …
Start with God (#2187)
Passage for Reflection: Proverbs 1:1-7 Happy New Year! I imagine that you’ve heard that greeting numerous times over the last few days. I, on the other hand, have been hearing it for months. The fiscal new year for the faith-based non-profit organization I serve started in November. Happy New Year! The church new year started with Advent. Happy New Year! And, yesterday the calendar year started. Happy New Year! Starting a new year opens people to prayerfully pondering new possibilities. Read More …
Faith & My Record Setting 2024 (#2186)
2024 has been a record setting year for me in multiple ways, including publishing ministry materials and growing ministry results. Faith I remember starting the year by selecting (or perhaps by having the word select me) "faith" as my star word to guide me throughout the year (see Faith: My Star Word for 2024). In 2024, faith Faith also led me to continue the ministries of blogging, preaching and feeding. Blogging I blogged every day for 1,000 consecutive days here at Read More …
Missing Jesus (#2185)
On this the final Sunday in 2024, I preached about the one biblical account of Jesus as a boy. Sermon This morning's message, "Missing Jesus" is based on Luke 2:-41-52. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Over the last 25 years I have led more than my fair share of youth group retreats, mission trips, and outings of all sorts that involve travel with tweens and young teens. And before I offer a confession, I want you to know that the Read More …
Merry Christmas! Merry Wordmas! (#2184)
Merry Christmas from Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas. Sermon My Christmas message, “Merry Wordmas” is based on John 1:1-14. Given the more informal nature of the Christmas Day service, the sermon was not recorded. You can, however, read the manuscript. Excerpt If you are like most people when you think of the Christmas story you remember it a lot like the children presented it in this morning’s video.[1] This version of the story is set in Read More …