Tuesday, December 9, 2014

December 2014 Newsletter Article - We Wait for Jesus. Jesus Waits for Us.

“In darkest night his coming shall be,
when all the world is despairing,
as morning light so quiet and free,
so warm and gentle and caring.
Then shall the mute break forth in song,
the lame shall leap in wonder,
the weak be raised above the strong,
and weapons be broken asunder.

-  Marty Haugen, “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn,” ELW 242

The news in recent weeks has been dominated by Ferguson, the death of Michael Brown and the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson. Between reports on protests in Ferguson have come reports of protests in other cities, and reports of other instances of police killing unarmed black males.

Officer Timothy Loehmann shot twelve-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland while the boy held an Airsoft replica of a powerful handgun. This week, a Staten Island grand jury chose not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo after he choked Eric Garner to death in July. Both incidents were captured on video. I have been afraid to watch either video.

It feels like a dark night indeed when citizens are taking to the streets across the country, when social media hashtags such as #blacklivesmatter fill our social media, and when citizens and police fear for their safety just walking down the street.

Advent is a season of waiting. How long, O Lord? How long will violence and racism tear our communities apart? How long will media ask us to choose sides between police officers and black citizens? How long will politics and selfishness squeeze empathy and humanity out of the center of our interactions?

God promises something else.

We wait to remember Jesus’ birth, the miracle that an ordinary baby born in the lowliest conditions can turn the world toward God’s reign of love and justice. We wait for Jesus’ return, when God will renew the face of the earth and wipe away every tear from our eyes.

The waiting we do during Advent is not about sitting on our hands. Listen to Isaiah’s words on the first Sunday of Advent, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence… so that the nations might tremble at your presence!” Our nation is already trembling, but for all the wrong reasons.

Or on the second Sunday of Advent, when we read in 2nd Peter that “we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home,” and “while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace.” To hide from the violence in our nation, preserving oneself at the expense of those who work for justice, is not peace. It is fear masquerading as peace.

On Advent’s third Sunday we hear again from Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.” Jesus himself quoted this lesson when he publicly announced the beginning of his ministry in Luke’s Gospel.

Finally on the fourth Sunday of Advent we hear Mary’s famous song, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.… He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”

We wait for Jesus, Immanuel, God-with-us, who will turn our world of violence and fear upside down. While we wait we read again and again of the radical power of God’s love in Jesus to transform this world, to challenge the powers of sin and isolation that defy God.

At last it occurs to me that while we wait for Jesus to return, Jesus himself is waiting for us. He is waiting for us to ask questions and stand up and to those who would resort to violence. He is waiting for us to do the hard work of reconciliation, to listen to those with whom we disagree, to stand with those who are powerless. He is waiting for us to seek the causes of systemic violence instead of merely reacting to the effects. Jesus is waiting for us to do God’s work with our hands, not just the important charity work we do this time of year, but the work of seeking justice and an end to the violence that falls disproportionately on the least of his brothers and sisters.

We wait for Jesus to break into our world, not just to rescue us but to empower us to actively seek his reign by working for justice.

Thanks,

Pastor Andrew

Sermon Audio 12/7/2014, Advent 2B

Beginnings - The beginning of Mark's Gospel leads us to the beginning of Second Isaiah's prophetic ministry, which leads us to the beginning of little Dallas' life in baptismal covenant with God. Beginnings are not always easy, but we can trust God to lead us where we need to go. 

Listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall." 


Monday, December 1, 2014

Links for the Turn of the Church Year

Over the recent Thanksgiving weekend, when I had plenty of time to myself due to my family being away, I did a fair bit of online reading. Here's some of what kept me interested this weekend, from the political and controversial to the heartbreaking and beyond. I am reminded that the ELCA has Social Statements on many of the pressing social and political issues of our time. I'll finish with some hopefulness.

Sermon Audio 11/30/2014, Advent 1B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Isaiah 64:1-9

God does awesome deeds we do not expect.

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Monday, November 24, 2014

Sermon Audio 11/23/2014, Christ the King A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Christ the King Sunday A

Matthew 25:31-46

Christ the King, or Reign of Christ, is the final Sunday of the church year. Our Gospel lesson is Jesus' iconic judgment of the nations from his heavenly throne, surrounded by the heavenly host. In this state I like to call him cosmic awesome Jesus, king of the universe, Lord of heaven and earth. So how is it that I recognized the significance of this story while relaxing after yoga?

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sermon Audio 11/19/2014, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost A



In Jesus' parable, the master gives unbelievable sums of money to his servants and asks them to take care of the master's property. What do we do with all that God has given us? 

Listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall." 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Newsletter Article November 2014, or, How I Spent My Summer Vacation(s)

Below is my Lutheran Church of the Savior newsletter article for November 2014.

For more information, check out Living Water Ministries or another ELCA camp in your area.



“Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be
grown in you and you in me?”

-  John L. Bell, “Will You Come and Follow Me,” ELW 798

Have I ever told you about my time working at camp? I feel like I mention it often enough, ticking it off the list of experiences that give me perspective in serving this congregation as pastor. Sometimes I use it as a qualification, as if working five summers at camp gives me credibility on matters of church, children, or whatever else is convenient at that time.

The truth is that the only qualification I received in working at camp is an experience of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit. I know the gospel message of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ changes lives, because at camp it happened to me. 

Monday, November 3, 2014

Sermon Audio 11/2/2014 All Saints A



Revelation has become my favorite book in the Bible. Hear why in this sermon for All Saints. 

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Sermon Audio 10/26/2014 Reformation Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Reformation Sunday

Matthew 22:34-46 (alternate Gospel lesson)

To reform is to change, and the church has a particular kind of change at the heart of our community: the change from death to life. Resurrection is the reformation we seek.

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Sermon 10/19/2014 19th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees' challenge to Jesus about whether or not to pay taxes to the emperor famously ends with Jesus' witty victory when he asks to see whose image is on the coin. Whose image do we bear, and whose image do others see in us?

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Monday, October 13, 2014

Funeral Sermon for Richard Dinda, 10/10/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Matthew 5:1-12

Romans 8: 26-28, 31-35, 37-39

Richard Paul Dinda

January 19, 1954 - October 5, 2014

Excerpted from his obituary: "Richard was a very active member of Lutheran Church of the Savior in Kalamazoo. At one time he operated the church sound system. Other church-related activities included playing guitar at folk services, organizing annual outings, and representing the congregation on the steering committee of the Greater Kalamazoo CROP walk organization."


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Sermon 10/5/2014, 17th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

17th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Philippians 3:4b-14

What does success look like? Paul wrote to the Philippians that he had been very successful before he met Jesus, and then the rules changed and he had to adapt to an entirely new definition of success. As followers of Jesus navigating our complex society today, how do we define success, as individuals and as a congregation? Who defines success for us?

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Sermon 9/28/2014, 16th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Philippians 2:1-13 

Today's beautiful lesson from Philippians reminds us that God is at work in us, and God is at work through us. 

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."

Monday, September 22, 2014

Sermon Audio 9/21/2014, 16th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

15th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus' parable of the generous landowner is a wonderfully unexpected look at God's grace. The laborers are right to point out that the landowner's generosity exceeds the bounds of fairness, which is why this is such a great story for us as we embark on our annual stewardship drive. Stewardship is the process of figuring out how to respond to God's generosity, figuring out what to do with all God has given us. I love stewardship because this process draws us deeper into our faith and shows us how to live out our new lives in Christ.

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Monday, September 15, 2014

Sermon Audio 9/14/2014, Holy Cross Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

1 Corinthians 1:18-24

The cross is the central symbol of Christianity. Even before Jesus, the cross was a powerful symbol, and its meaning has changed over time. My son recognized the cross before he was 18 months old, but he understood it to mean something very different than I do. What does the cross mean to us today as we try to follow Jesus together?

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. 

Monday, September 8, 2014

Sermon Audio 9/7/2014, 13th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Matthew 18:15-20

As we kicked off our program year with Sunday School, "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday and more, today's Gospel lesson challenged us to be honest about the challenges and conflict that come with being an active community with diverse goals. How does Jesus instruct us to manage conflict? How have we managed conflict in our congregation, and how can we do it better? For starters, I am proud to introduce my favorite communication and conflict management model, the Role Renegotiation Model (believe me, it's so much better than the name), and its practical partner, the Pinches and Praises box. Because Jesus is with us, we can be bold to trust one another with our honest concerns.

As always, listen here or listen/subscribe on iTunes by searching "Tengwall." 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Sermon Audio 8/31/2014, 12th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Romans 12:9-21

Today's lesson from Romans offers my favorite instruction in the Bible: love one another. This simple, profound, difficult instruction is only one of about 29 ways Paul instructs Christians to act toward others, each as obviously good and near-impossible as the next. How can we do the things God wants us to do? 

As always, listen here or listen/subscribe on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."

Monday, August 25, 2014

Sermon Audio 8/24/2014, 11th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo


"Who do you say that I am?" Who so we say Jesus is? Who do others say we are? Given the recent (and ongoing) unrest in Ferguson, MO, who do we say Michael Brown is? Jesus asks hard questions, and invites us to do the same.


Matthew 16:13-20


13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

As always, listen here or subscribe on iTunes by searching "Tengwall." 

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Sermon Audio 8/17/2014, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo


The history of Lutheran churches in this country is primarily a history of northern European ethnic groups maintaining their cultural identity amidst the American "melting pot" (more of a jambalaya, as the American parts remain distinct in the mix, but that's a story for another day). Seemingly in spite of, but more likely because of, this insider-focused history, as the Lutheran churches have grown up we have become more engaged in our society, more welcoming of outsiders, to the degree that Lutherans are doing vital work with unaccompanied migrant children on the southern border of the US. 

In today's lessons from Isaiah and Matthew's Gospel, we are reminded why we engage in this difficult, compassionate endeavor. We do this work because we know that God's promise is for everyone.


Helpful links for today's sermon:

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
One Michigan Lutheran church's local efforts

As always, you can listen here or subscribe by searching "Tengwall" on iTunes.

Sermon Audio 8/10/2014, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Today we talked about faith in its most basic form, as trust in God. Peter trusted God until his Wile E. Coyote moment out on the water. Then what?

As always, you can listen here or subscribe on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."

Monday, August 4, 2014

Sermon Audio 7/27/2014, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

On this Sunday we heard Jesus tell parables about the kingdom of heaven (aka kingdom of God / reign of Christ / kin-dom of God / empire of heaven), so in this interactive sermon we tried to imagine what this kingdom is "like."

As always, listen here or on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."

Monday, July 21, 2014

Sermon 7/20/2014 6th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo


What's the difference between the gospel and the Gospels? Comparing today's Gospel lesson from Matthew with our first reading from Wisdom of Solomon (not even in the Lutheran version of the Bible!) can help. Confusing? Probably. Worthwhile? I hope so.

As always, listen here or on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Sermon Audio 7/13/2014 5th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo MI

5th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Jesus tells the parable of the sower, with four kinds of ground into which the seed of God's Word might fall. If we are that ground, then I clearly see myself in one kind more than the others. Hint: it's not the good soil. Luckily for me, that's not the end of the story.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. 2Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!’

18 ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’

Monday, July 7, 2014

Sermon Audio 7/6/2014 4th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

4th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Jesus' words today bring to mind the old saying, "You're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't." Can I say that in a sermon? Based on the reactions I heard to this sermon, apparently I can, so long as that's not the content of my actual message. Law and gospel is the word today.


Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

16“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”


25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
 

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Sermon Audio 6/22/2014 2nd Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 10:24-39

We begin the "ordinary" time after Pentecost by diving into the deep end of some of Jesus' most challenging words: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." He also tells his disciples they are unworthy unless they love Jesus more than their own parents and children, and tells them they will probably be killed. The gospel, the good news of God's love for us in Jesus, is not for the faint of heart.


As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall"

Sermon Audio 6/15/2014 Holy Trinity

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Holy Trinity Sunday

2nd Corinthians 13:11-13


The doctrine of the Holy Trinity can make for a boring and obtuse sermon, as I have likely demonstrated in the past. Instead, today we focused on how the Trinity reminds us that we, created in God's image, are made for relationship. Thankfulness is a vital part of any relationship, particularly our relationship with God. So, at the recommendation of our esteemed Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper, on this day we introduced a new way of publicly thanking God and one another at LCS: the Blessings Basket.



As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall"


Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Sermon Audio 6/8/2014 Pentecost

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Pentecost

Acts 2:1-21

Sometimes I forget how great Pentecost is. Then the Holy Spirit shows up, and I remember. Pentecost was a new beginning for Jesus' followers, not the vacation they deserved but an opportunity to share the story of God's love for the world in Jesus.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Sermon Audio 5/25/2014 Easter 6A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

John 14:15-21

On his last night with his disciples, Jesus tells them about the Holy Spirit to help them be ready for what comes next.

I tried to publish this before I left on vacation, on Memorial Day (5/26/14), but ran into trouble with my podcasting website. I think we're back on track now. As a bonus, I did talk with a couple of people who actually listen to these sermons online (yay!), so I feel good about doing the work to record and publish these sermons. It's good to know that my mom is not the only person listening.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Sermon Audio 5/18/2014 Easter 5A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Fifth Sunday after Easter, Lectionary Year A

John 14:1-14

In this beginning to the famous final speech of Jesus in John's Gospel, I've often focused on the many dwelling places Jesus offers in his father's house. As Christians, we have often focused on the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to the father. Today we looked at some other emphases of Jesus' words. "Do not let your hearts be troubled" is a good start. Later, what does Jesus mean about doing works greater than his?


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Sermon Audio 5/11/2014 Easter 4A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

John 10:1-10

Jesus is the gate, connecting us to God and leading us to abundant life.This description sounds boring, but I don't think the sermon is actually boring. I guess you'll have to decide for yourself about the "boring-or-not" thing.

As always, listen here or on iTunes.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Sermon Audio 5/4/2014 Easter 3A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Third Sunday after Easter, Lectionary Year A

Luke 24:13-35

Jesus' appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is pretty much my favorite thing ever. This story is as influential in how I live my call to pastoral ministry as anything in the Bible, for starters. How do we experience the presence of Christ among us when we gather in his name? Who does Jesus come to, and when? These and other great questions in this sermon.

 As always, listen here or listen / subscribe on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Bonus post: Sr. Ginny Jones Audio 4/27/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Second Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

John 20:19-31

Today Lutheran Church of the Savior celebrated our annual Earth Sunday by hearing a message from our dear friend and neighbor Sr. Ginny Jones, CSJ. This year Sr. Ginny challenged us to live out our commitment to faithful stewardship of God's creation, beyond words or Earth Sundays to action on behalf of the world God loves.


Sermon Audio 4/20/2014 Easter Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Easter Sunday

Matthew 28:1-10

"Do not be afraid," the angels say to the Marys, and it's one of the more hilariously ridiculous lines in the Bible. Even so, that line, repeated by Jesus in this reading and in other places throughout Scripture, is a vital part of the gospel message. Do we hear it any differently than the Marys did?


Sermon Audio 4/19/2014 Vigil of Easter

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Vigil of Easter 2014

Romans 6:3-11

The Vigil is the richest, most Spirit-filled worship experience of our year, and this was no exception. I began our Vigil sermon with some of my favorite stories about Micah, my one-year-old, and the hilariously churchy habits he's already picked up from his parents. (Presumably he'll someday have hilariously healthy habits picked up from the therapist he requires after his upbringing, and maybe those stories will make my sermons as well) These stories led to talk of baptism and faith and belief and how we truly know that God's story in Jesus Christ is our story.

As always, listen here or on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."

Thursday, March 27, 2014

April 2014 Newsletter Article

For some reason my sermon audio did not record on Sunday, March 23rd, which is curious because I was watching the recording timer throughout the sermon. At any rate, it was an interesting interactive sermon, so at least the crowd at home will miss out on the minute of "talk amongst yourselves" during which I went to my office to get my bottle of water. Yes, I recorded that time during the sermon, and then joked about it afterwards. I guess you had to be there.

Anyway, below is my article in the April 2014 Lutheran Church of the Savior Newsletter, which got more than a little sermon-y, so I hope that will tide you over until the next time I'm able to record sermon audio. It will not be this upcoming Sunday March 30th, as guest preacher Asher O'Callaghan will be sharing God's Word with us on that morning. Look for more sermon audio in April, and compare it to the article below.


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Sermon Audio 3/16/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Second Sunday after Lent, Lectionary Year A

John 3:1-17

Continuing our Lenten theme on hunger with the most famous verse in the Bible, vegetarianism, and junk food: what was Nicodemus really hungry for?



John 3:1-17

3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching "Tengwall."


Monday, March 10, 2014

Sermon Audio 3/9/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

First Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus' temptation occurs only after he has fasted for 40 days and is famished. For over 1 billion people living today, hunger is not a spiritual practice but a daily reality. This Lent we will explore hunger, both physical and figurative, as we await Jesus passion and resurrection. What do we hunger for, and how can we satisfy our hunger? What does our neighbor hunger for, and how can we satisfy our neighbor's hunger?



Matthew 4:1-11

4Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

As always, listen to the sermon here or subscribe on iTunes.


Sermon Audio 3/5/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Jesus' warning “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them" seems to have guided the famed 20th century poet W.H. Auden, whose good deeds tended to go publicly unrecognized throughout his life. In our own congregation, Forty Deeds in Forty Days is an effort to live out Jesus' teaching this Lent.



Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

6“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

As always, listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.


Sermon Audio 3/2/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Transfiguration of Our Lord, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 17:1-9

"Get up, and do not be afraid." Jesus' words to Peter, James, and John on the mountain speak to us today as well, as the take-home message of what the gospel means in our lives.



Matthew 17:1-9

17Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Listen here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.


Sermon Audio 2/23/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 5:38-48

After not including a rite of Confession and Forgiveness in our worship during the season of Epiphany, today we used the sermon to institute a different form of confession, and allowed the Eucharist to be our forgiveness. Not sure how effective it was, but a third grader and I did have fun destroying people's sins in a paper shredder afterward.


Matthew 5:38-48

38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

As usual, you can listen to this sermon here or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, which you can find by searching "Tengwall."

Monday, February 10, 2014

Sermon Audio 2/9/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Isaiah 58:1-12

As Lutheran Church of the Savior prepared to hold our Annual Meeting after worship today, this sermon reflects on what faithfulness looks like. For those listening to Isaiah in today's lesson, their traditional practices of fasting had ceased to be a faithful life in response to God's law. What can we learn from the hard lesson Isaiah had for them?

Isaiah 58:1-12


58Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.

3“Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. 4Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 5Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. 11The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. 12Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Sermon Audio 2/2/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Presentation of Our Lord

Luke 2:22-40

Simeon's prophetic praise about the baby Jesus in the Temple has become one of the most enduring songs in our Christian gatherings. My wife and I sing it to our baby every night as part of our bedtime ritual. Why do we do that? What is it about this song, quoted below, that expresses the deep truth of the Gospel?

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”


Sermon Audio 1/26/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 4.12-23

On a Sunday when inclement weather and a brand-new, not-quite-working-at-full-capacity boiler led us to worship in the fellowship hall, so many people pitched in to make worship happen that it gave us a glimpse of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 4:12-23


12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Sermon Audio 1/19/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

John 1:29-42

In this season after Epiphany our lectionary stories reveal who Jesus is. Today we hear John the Baptist proclaim that Jesus is the Lamb of God. For those of us who've hung around church long enough, this title is familiar - we sing it almost every Sunday! - and we can fool ourselves into assuming we know what it says about Jesus. As usual, however, God has some surprises in store for us, even in this common name for Jesus.


John 1:29-42


29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” 35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”
37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Sermon Audio 1/12/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Baptism of Our Lord, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 3:13-17

Every year we celebrate Jesus' baptism by John at the Jordan River because we need to hear anew that God's words for Jesus are for us also: we are beloved children of God. To make this point, I used one of my one-year-old son's favorite books, Water, Come Down! by Walter Wangerin Jr. as the basis for the entire sermon, and afterwards everyone came to the font to remember God's promise to them baptism.

Though the book plus the ritual took longer than I had planned, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and the book is rocketing to the top of the congregation's best-seller list (or it would if such a list existed). In fact, I've decided that for the rest of this season after Epiphany we will begin worship with a Thanksgiving for Baptism based on the book's text. Micah even found a copy of the book in our church library! Really, he was toddling around while I was just sitting in a meeting in that room, and all of a sudden he plopped the book onto my lap and wanted to read. I had no idea we had a copy, but it's available if folks want a closer look. 


Sermon Audio 1/5/2014

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

2nd Sunday after Christmas, Lectionary Year A

John 1:1-18

On this Sunday of Twelfth Night, I had the privilege of sharing my sermon with Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper, the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA's Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational and Leadership Excellence, and also my amazing wife. We talked about Epiphany traditions. Some of these traditions may seem at first to be quaint or silly, but if you understand them, they can show forth the good news about God's love in Jesus Christ. Did you know the song The Twelve Days of Christmas was secretly an illegal Catholic catechetical text? Also, check out my impassioned plea for more worship outdoors around a fire at night.


Sermon Audio 12/24/2013

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve A

Luke 2:1-20

Every year we gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus, so you'd think we'd have it all figured out by now, but I have a few questions: What, specifically, is the "good news of great joy for all the people?" Why does the answer to that question matter so much to me, personally? Why have we been doing yoga on Wednesdays for the past few weeks and calling it worship? What does "faith in God" even mean? You know, it's Christmas eve, so I figured I should just keep it light and simple, a goal at which I seem to have pretty obviously failed. Oh well. It turns out the birth of Jesus brings me back to the very foundations of my faith.

I'm usually pretty skeptical of Christmas Eve sermons, but I admit I'm really quite proud of this one, and I hope you'll check it out.


Sermon Audio 12/22/2013

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew's version of the birth of Jesus is light on details. Jesus was a normal-enough baby, born to a normal-enough family, and somehow God uses these utterly common people - Mary and Joseph - to save the world.