Wednesday, January 22, 2020
A bigger God than we can fathom
Epiphany 2 (January 19)
Pastor Rob reflects on how Jesus’ Mission is huge: Take away the sins of the WORLD. In spite of how BIG God is and how BIG God’s mission is, God still cares and relates to us personally.
Pastor Rob reflects on how God’s grandness but also God’s intimacy with us blesses us with great patience. The sermon also discusses the work of the medical missionaries we support, the Swansons. For they are indeed a witness to patience and the relationship with God that gives us patience.
Based on John 1:29-42; Isaiah 49:1-6 and Psalm 40.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Baptism of Jesus 2020: All Righteousness
Baptism of Jesus (Jan 12, 2020)
“Why do you come to me?” This is what John asks Jesus, as Jesus meets him in the waters of Baptism. In our Baptism too, we might ask Jesus: Why do you come to me? The answer Jesus gives is, frankly, “churchy”: “To fulfill all righteousness.” Pastor Rob unpacks the huge significance of Jesus answer for our lives. Jesus comes to us in our Baptisms to claim Lordship every aspect of our lives; but Jesus also comes to us in our Baptisms to save us, not partially, but totally.
Based on Matthew 3:13-17.
“Why do you come to me?” This is what John asks Jesus, as Jesus meets him in the waters of Baptism. In our Baptism too, we might ask Jesus: Why do you come to me? The answer Jesus gives is, frankly, “churchy”: “To fulfill all righteousness.” Pastor Rob unpacks the huge significance of Jesus answer for our lives. Jesus comes to us in our Baptisms to claim Lordship every aspect of our lives; but Jesus also comes to us in our Baptisms to save us, not partially, but totally.
Based on Matthew 3:13-17.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
2020: A Year of Listening
Christmas 2 (January 5, 2020)
What is the difference in a good doctor and great doctor? The good doctor knows her or his stuff; but the great doctor is also a good listener! As we begin the new year, Pastor Rob invites us into a year of listening at St. Paul. Listening is the foundation of all our relationships, including our relationship with God. Pastor Rob reflects on the story of the Magi (or Wisemen) visiting Jesus through the lens of listening. This story reveals how important it is to listen to God’s word and also listen to people unlike ourselves.
The visit of the magi to Jesus as a baby: Matthew 2:1-13
What is the difference in a good doctor and great doctor? The good doctor knows her or his stuff; but the great doctor is also a good listener! As we begin the new year, Pastor Rob invites us into a year of listening at St. Paul. Listening is the foundation of all our relationships, including our relationship with God. Pastor Rob reflects on the story of the Magi (or Wisemen) visiting Jesus through the lens of listening. This story reveals how important it is to listen to God’s word and also listen to people unlike ourselves.
The visit of the magi to Jesus as a baby: Matthew 2:1-13
Christmas Eve: Time
Christmas Eve 2019
Time does strange things. Weeks can fly by; moments can seem to hold an eternity. Christmas too is a time when time does strange things, and our minds are filled with past, present and future. Pastor Rob reflects on Jesus Christ and the timelessness of his birth. Based on Luke 2:1-20.
Time does strange things. Weeks can fly by; moments can seem to hold an eternity. Christmas too is a time when time does strange things, and our minds are filled with past, present and future. Pastor Rob reflects on Jesus Christ and the timelessness of his birth. Based on Luke 2:1-20.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Singing a new song!
Advent 4
At Christmas we are told we have to “believe” in all sorts of things, including miracles and even biblical miracles. Pastor Rob reflects that the most challenging miracle of all to believe in: That God still loves the world and that God still loves you! Pastor Rob reflects on how God puts a new song of faith, hope and joy in our hearts through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Includes a reference to Home Alone 🙂
The Bible passage may be found here: Luke 1:56-79
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Joy in all Seasons!
Advent 3
This week we hear about the joyful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, both pregnant women. Pastor Rob reflects on the joy of Christmas. This joy changes as we age; but is not necessarily diminished. This joy is also threatened by many things going on in our lives. Pastor Rob proposed the Magnificat Test to determine how to discover the joy God intends for you in the birth of Jesus!
The Bible passage may be found here: Luke 1:39-55
The image is from: https://www.shcj.org/reflection-on-the-visitation-of-mary/
This week we hear about the joyful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, both pregnant women. Pastor Rob reflects on the joy of Christmas. This joy changes as we age; but is not necessarily diminished. This joy is also threatened by many things going on in our lives. Pastor Rob proposed the Magnificat Test to determine how to discover the joy God intends for you in the birth of Jesus!
The Bible passage may be found here: Luke 1:39-55
The image is from: https://www.shcj.org/reflection-on-the-visitation-of-mary/
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Like Dominos
December 8, 2019
Second Sunday of Advent
In Dominos, the cause and effect is clear; life is far less clear! We don’t always see the impact of our actions. In fact, it is impossible to see how the good (or bad) we do will impact future generations. Pastor Rob reflects on the interaction between Mary and the angel Gabriel in Luke 1 as well as the story of the real St. Nicolas. In each case, God issues a call to action. Through their faithful obedience they impact countless others. Our job is not to figure how we can make a difference, but to be faithful to God’s call on our lives.
Second Sunday of Advent
In Dominos, the cause and effect is clear; life is far less clear! We don’t always see the impact of our actions. In fact, it is impossible to see how the good (or bad) we do will impact future generations. Pastor Rob reflects on the interaction between Mary and the angel Gabriel in Luke 1 as well as the story of the real St. Nicolas. In each case, God issues a call to action. Through their faithful obedience they impact countless others. Our job is not to figure how we can make a difference, but to be faithful to God’s call on our lives.
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