This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we kicked off the Easter Hope series, which will run until Penetecost. Sermon My message, "Easter Expectations" is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 24:1-12. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I wonder about your Easter expectations. Throughout the season of Lent as we drew closer to this day, what were you preparing for? Did you have specific expectations for spending time with family or Read More …
Advent Lutheran Church
Lenten Challenge: Beginning Today (#2213)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Lenten Challenges series. Sermon My message, “Beginning Today” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 19:1-10. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt April has arrived. And, it always begins with a light hearted holiday: April Fool’s Day. A day many of us appreciated more than usual this year. And, now we are getting ready for another holiday that comes later this Read More …
Lenten Challenge: Living Richly (#2211)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Lenten Challenges series. Sermon My message, “Livingly Richly” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 16:19-31. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Ushers, please close the doors to the sanctuary. In fact, go ahead and secure all of the exits. I need you to stand guard for a few minutes. Siblings in Christ, now that I have your full attention, I’d like to invite you to Read More …
Lenten Challenge: Loving Wastefully (#2209)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Lenten Challenges series. Sermon My message, “Love Wastefully” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 15:1-32. You can watch below (due to technical difficulties only the audio is available) or read the manuscript. Excerpt Three parables all teach us the same truth. Rather than centering lostness and foundness, they center love. Friends, I know many people who work demanding blue-collar Read More …
My One of a Kind Ash Wednesday Experience (#2207)
Four months ago, I shared my departure from a social media platform I once loved and participated in for 15 years: Goodbye Twitter, X, or Whatever You’ve Become. Shortly before leaving I joined Bluesky and, to date, have seen some hopeful signs that this platform might grow into something similar to what I experienced long ago on Twitter. In my first four months I've attracted nearly 1,000 followers and experienced some meaningful engagement. Interestingly, I joined Threads well before Read More …
Lenten Challenge: Loving God & Loving Neighbor (#2206)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we kicked off the Lenten Challenges series. Sermon My message, “Loving God and Loving Neighbor” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 10:25-42. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I remember a time when a lot of people were talking about a church sign. I’m not referencing the fact that Advent’s church sign went dark earlier this week and is now awaiting a repair. Although now, you’ll Read More …
Counting the Cost (#2205)
Today is Ash Wednesday. It is also the start of a new sermon series at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA: Lenten Challenges. Sermon My message, Counting the Cost“” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 9:51-62. At noon I preached it as part of an English language service at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). At 7:00pm, I preached it again as part of a bilingual service with the assistance of Connie Ortega. Since these services were not livestreamed or recorded, the only way to Read More …
Listen to Jesus (#2203)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we concluded our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Listen to Him” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 9:28-45. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt These disciples were not seeking out a mountaintop experience, but are transformed by it. They and we seek clarity and understanding. The Transfiguration provides all of this and more. In this moment we see much more Read More …
The Gift of Doubt (#2200)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we continued our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Welcoming Doubt" is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 7:18-23. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Just as good church members – of actual congregations as well as fictitious ones – know what to expect of a prospective pastor, John the Baptist knew what to expect of Jesus. Remember siblings in Christ, this is the same John Read More …
Speaking New Life (#2198)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we continued our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Speaking New Life” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 7:1-17. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Since I’ve officiated a number of funerals over the years, I know what to expect. Also, since I’ve also been in ministry a few decades, I know to expect the unexpected. Thinking back over the more unusual moments, I Read More …