Tag: Ephesians

  • A Dependable Foundation

    Introduction St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church, Lincoln, Neb., celebrates the Holy Eucharist on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. The parish’s rector, Father Jerry Thompson, asked me to lead worship on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. The liturgy featured the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, transferred from October 28. Readings Deuteronomy 32:1–4 Psalm 119:89–96…

  • Formation Under God’s Hand

    When the Spirit-Driven Task Force at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church met on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, the members discussed Christian Education. This was a reflection shared during the devotions. In the second creation story in Genesis, we hear that “the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew…

  • Renewed Hearts

    Introduction The people of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., have organized a Spirit-Driven Task Force, bringing together almost forty members who have committed to a year of study, prayer, reflection, and deliberation to discern how God is calling the congregation to renewal for the sake of his mission. This is the nineteenth…

  • “Only Small Things with Great Love”

    This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for the Festival of All Saints’ Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. + + + Readings Daniel 7:1–3, 15–18 Psalm 149 Ephesians 1:11–23 Luke 6:20–31 + + + Prayer Loving Father in heaven, bless us with faith through your Holy Spirit, so that we…

  • Question Box: “He descended into hell.”

    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 October 2010 installment. Question When we confess our faith using the Apostles’ Creed, I’m not…

  • Living as Christians: Music

    This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Midweek services from Ash Wednesday through Maundy Thursday will explore the theme, “Living as Christians.” + + + Readings 2 Samuel 6:1–5 Psalm 98 Ephesians 5:18–20 Mark 14:22–26 + + + Prayer You call us to return…

  • Living as Christians: Prayer

    This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. Midweek services from Ash Wednesday through Maundy Thursday will explore the theme, “Living as Christians.” + + + Readings 1 Kings 8:22–30 Psalm 28 Ephesians 3:16–19 Matthew 6:5–8 + + + Prayer You call us to return…

  • Living as Christians: Church

    This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Midweek services from Ash Wednesday through Maundy Thursday will explore the theme, “Living as Christians.” + + + Readings Exodus 19:16–25 Psalm 100 Ephesians 2:19–22 Matthew 28:16–20 + + + Prayer You call us to return to…

  • “Arise, shine…”

    Introduction This is the sermon I had planned to preach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, as part of Vespers on the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord. The service was cancelled due to another snowstorm. + + + Readings Isaiah 60:1–6 Psalm 72 (antiphon v. 11) Ephesians…

  • Adopted, Redeemed, and Sealed

    Introduction This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 2–3, 2010, for the Second Sunday of Christmas. + + + Readings Jeremiah 31:7–14 or Sirach 24:1–12 Psalm 147:12–20 (antiphon v. 12) or Wisdom 10:51–21 (antiphon v. 20) Ephesians 1:3–14 John 1:[1–9] 10–18 + + +…