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“Stewards of God’s Mysteries”
This is the third in a series of reflections offered as part of my service with the Stewardship Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., where Anne and I are members. When you hear the word “mystery,” what faces pop up in your mind’s eye? Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, the cast of…
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We Are God’s Servants
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., celebrated its Mission Festival and its Thankoffering for the Women of the ELCA on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13–14, 2010, the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost. I prepared this homily for the Saturday evening service. The readings are selected from the options for the Thankoffering liturgy. + + + Readings…
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Christ Crucified—Both Foolishness and Wisdom
This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for Holy Cross Day Vespers, September 14, 2010. + + + Readings Isaiah 45:21–25 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 John 12:20–33 + + + Prayer Gracious Father, bless us with your Spirit, so that we may keep our gaze fixed upon your Son’s victory…
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Question Box: Speaking in Tongues
Introduction Holy Cross Lutheran Church offers individuals the chance to ask questions about the Church, faith, theology, and the Bible by putting their queries into a Question Box. A question and answer appears in each month’s newsletter. This is the August 2010 installment. Question What is speaking in tongues? Do people still do it nowadays?…
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Question Box: Body Mods
Introduction Holy Cross Lutheran Church began offering individuals the chance to ask questions about the Church, faith, theology, and the Bible by putting their queries into a Question Box. A question and answer appears in each month’s newsletter. This is the June 2010 installment. Question What does the Bible say about practices that alter our…
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A Fresh Batch
“Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough inasmuch as you are unleavened.” (1 Corinthians 5:7, NAB)
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Perplexed. Terrified. Skeptical. Amazed.
This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for Easter, Sunday, April 4, 2010. + + + Readings Acts 10:34–43 Psalm 118:1–2, 18–24 1 Corinthians 15:19–26 Luke 24:1–12 + + + Prayer Stir up in us, O Father, the gift of your Holy Spirit, so that we may see your…
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Living as Christians: The Lord’s Supper
This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010. It served as the seventh in the midweek sermon series, “Living as Christians,” which began on Ash Wednesday. + + + Readings Exodus 12:1–14 Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 John 13:1–17, 31b–35 + + +…
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Between Bride and Bridegroom
This is a homily I prepared for a wedding at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 13, 2010. + + + Readings Genesis 1:26–31 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 Matthew 19:3–6 + + + Message If the word “love” were a set of tires, the tread on them would be worn smooth. We have put so…
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Drinking from the Rock
This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, March 6–7, 2010, for the Third Sunday in Lent. + + + Readings Isaiah 55:1–9 Psalm 63:1–8 1 Corinthians 10:1–13 Luke 13:1–9 + + + Prayer You call us to return to you, Lord God, and to leave…