Reformation and All Saints Days

I know what the Lectionary says. The church year begins in Advent. The season of preparation is a great way to begin the new church year. But for the past few years, I've experienced the beginning of a new year on the night in between Reformation Day and All Saints Day. For me, these two … Continue reading Reformation and All Saints Days

Reflection: Youth in Mission–Serving Christ in the World 2003

Eight years ago, in between my junior and senior years in high school, I applied for a summer program at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. The name of it was Youth in Mission--Serving Christ in the World. At the time, I didn't really know what the program was. My pastor suggested that I … Continue reading Reflection: Youth in Mission–Serving Christ in the World 2003

Pub Theology: The Church

The Church. What do we mean by it? What does it mean to us? That was the topic of discussion that enthralled a group of Lutherans who gathered at the Tipsy Toad Tavern for Pub Theology on Thursday night. It's a good question, and one that we don't always have an answer for. A friend … Continue reading Pub Theology: The Church

Sermon–October 2, 2011–Pentecost 16A

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost A Preached at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muskegon, MI, while on Internship. Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-15 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46 One of my all-time favorite movies is the 1980 classic “The Blues Brothers”, starring Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. I was raised a Chicago boy, so the movie practically … Continue reading Sermon–October 2, 2011–Pentecost 16A

Sermon–September 18, 2011–Pentecost 14A

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost A Preached at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muskegon, MI, while on Internship. Jonah 3:10-4:11 Psalm 145:1-8 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16 If I were the one responsible for translating the Bible, I think the full title of Jonah’s story would be, “Jonah and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Catchy, … Continue reading Sermon–September 18, 2011–Pentecost 14A