Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Sermon Audio 8/28/2016, Acts Sermon Series Week 13


Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

Acts Sermon Series 2016, Week Thirteen


As we conclude our Summer Sermon Series on the book of Acts, we hear Paul proclaim the risen Christ to the people of Jerusalem. How does the Holy Spirit work through him? 


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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Actual Blog Post*: What Does It Mean to Be "Religious" in America?

With regard to religion, my cousin and dear friend is a devoutly skeptical and endlessly curious, a combination I hold in high esteem. He posted this article, entitled "Religious Diversity May Be Making America Less Religious," by Daniel Cox for fivethirtyeight.com.

I found this article extremely interesting. Upon reflection, the question that emerged for me was what it means to be "religious." This article points me toward a potential change in what it means to be religious. Is "religious" about belief, as Protestants tend to think? Is it about practice, as Catholic and (more clearly) Buddhist traditions suggest? I think in the US, "religious" has actually tended to mean something else.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Sermon Audio 8/21/2016, Acts Sermon Series Week Twelve


Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

Acts Sermon Series 2016, Week Twelve


Our Acts sermon series continues with Paul re-telling the story of his conversion. This story has much to teach us about the baptism we celebrated today, and both the story and the baptism have much to teach the rest of us about how we follow Jesus. 


Monday, August 15, 2016

Sermon Audio 8/14/2016, Acts Sermon Series Week Eleven

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

Acts Sermon Series 2016, Week Eleven

Luke 12:49-56, Acts 20:17-24

Our annual outdoor worship event brought fair weather and a Gospel lesson so challenging that I could not ignore it. Our Acts reading was similar, with Paul uncertain about his future in Jerusalem. Jesus says he came to bring fire and division to the earth. What does this mean?

To hear this podcast: listen here, use this link, or use iTunes or Google Play Music to subscribe or listen by searching "Tengwall."

Monday, August 8, 2016

Sermon Audio 8/7/2016, Acts Sermon Series Week Ten


Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

Acts Sermon Series 2016, Week Ten


How does the gospel transform us? As individuals? As the church? How does it transform the communities around us? Paul's experience in Ephesus can tell us a lot about what the gospel looks like in the world


To hear this podcast: listen here, use this link, or use iTunes or Google Play Music to subscribe or listen by searching "Tengwall."