July 28, 2019
Season of Pentecost
"How do we pray?" the
disciples asked Jesus. Even the most faithful have questions about
prayer; we know we should do it, but we often feel like we do not have
the skill set...or the words! In this sermon, Pastor Rob reflects on
how we could benefit from focusing more on our body and less on our
words when we pray. In Scripture, people and even Jesus are often
praying with their full body.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Listening is an act of Love
July 21, 2019
Season of Pentecost
When Pastor Rob was in Tanzania, he realized how many hours it takes to prepare food for guests in a world without grocery stores, fridges and gas stoves. (These do exist in Africa, just not universally!) This helped him see that in this story of Mary and Martha, Martha would have been working for hours; Mary would have been listening for hours. Indeed, the meal prepared for the American guests (shown to the right) probably took 3-4 hours for a team of 5-6 women to make.
When was the last time you listened to someone for more than 15 minutes? Pastor Rob considers how listening is an act of love. Based on Luke 10:38-42
Season of Pentecost
When Pastor Rob was in Tanzania, he realized how many hours it takes to prepare food for guests in a world without grocery stores, fridges and gas stoves. (These do exist in Africa, just not universally!) This helped him see that in this story of Mary and Martha, Martha would have been working for hours; Mary would have been listening for hours. Indeed, the meal prepared for the American guests (shown to the right) probably took 3-4 hours for a team of 5-6 women to make.
When was the last time you listened to someone for more than 15 minutes? Pastor Rob considers how listening is an act of love. Based on Luke 10:38-42
Who is my neighbor?
July 14, 2019
Pentecost Season
Pastor Rob reflects on the question posed to Jesus: "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke's Gospel, Good Samaritan Parable, Chapter 10) based on his travels to Tanzania. This includes his time visiting our companion congregation, Kanga Lutheran.
Pentecost Season
Pastor Rob reflects on the question posed to Jesus: "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke's Gospel, Good Samaritan Parable, Chapter 10) based on his travels to Tanzania. This includes his time visiting our companion congregation, Kanga Lutheran.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Exorcising a Demon
June 23, 2019
2nd Sunday after Pentecost (aka Ordinary Time)
Saint Luke tells a powerful story of Jesus exorcising a demon. Because it initially seems so much unlike our world today, we might miss the main points of Luke: Evil is real and powerful; Jesus is divine and therefore more powerful than the forces of evil. Working with this story of healing, Pastor Rob focuses on how we can see Jesus overcoming evil forces in our lives. Based on Luke 8:26-39.
2nd Sunday after Pentecost (aka Ordinary Time)
Saint Luke tells a powerful story of Jesus exorcising a demon. Because it initially seems so much unlike our world today, we might miss the main points of Luke: Evil is real and powerful; Jesus is divine and therefore more powerful than the forces of evil. Working with this story of healing, Pastor Rob focuses on how we can see Jesus overcoming evil forces in our lives. Based on Luke 8:26-39.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Hope and Suffering
June 16, 2019
Holy Trinity Sunday
Saint Paul writes, "Suffering leads to endurance; endurance character; character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." Pastor Rob reflects on how it is that some people become more hopeful through suffering, while others become more bitter. Based on Romans 5:1-5.
Holy Trinity Sunday
Saint Paul writes, "Suffering leads to endurance; endurance character; character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." Pastor Rob reflects on how it is that some people become more hopeful through suffering, while others become more bitter. Based on Romans 5:1-5.
Witnessing, part II
June 9, 2019
Pentecost
Last week Pastor Rob preached about Jesus command to "You are my witnesses." In this sermon, one of the youth gives his witness. The youth is one of the six 8th graders being confirmed. Confirmation is a rite in which a person confirms their Baptism, saying yes to the gifts of God and living as a disciple of Jesus. Based on Acts 2:1-11.
Pentecost
Last week Pastor Rob preached about Jesus command to "You are my witnesses." In this sermon, one of the youth gives his witness. The youth is one of the six 8th graders being confirmed. Confirmation is a rite in which a person confirms their Baptism, saying yes to the gifts of God and living as a disciple of Jesus. Based on Acts 2:1-11.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
You will be my witnesses 2019
June 2, 2019
Ascension/7th Sunday of the Easter Season:
You will be my witnesses. These are Jesus last words to his disciples. They kind of terrify most of us, though, because we've seen so many bad examples of witnessing. Does Jesus really mean this? Pastor Rob offers some examples of what witnessing to Jesus might actually look like. Based on Acts 1:1-11.
Ascension/7th Sunday of the Easter Season:
You will be my witnesses. These are Jesus last words to his disciples. They kind of terrify most of us, though, because we've seen so many bad examples of witnessing. Does Jesus really mean this? Pastor Rob offers some examples of what witnessing to Jesus might actually look like. Based on Acts 1:1-11.
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