Sermon Audio 12/24/2017 Christmas Eve

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:2-7

Luke 2:1-20

At Christmas we hear about the Prince of Peace, and attribute that title to Jesus. What is peace? Where do we find it? How does peace fit into God's incarnation in Jesus?

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Sermon Audio 12/10/2017, Second Sunday of Advent B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday of Advent, Lectionary Year B

Mark 1:1-8 

We celebrate a baptism as we read about John the Baptist. What can we learn from these first biblical stories about our own baptisms?

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If you want to support this podcast and the ministry of Lutheran Church of the Savior, you can do so here. Thanks. 

Sermon Audio 12/3/2017, First Sunday of Advent B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

First Sunday of Advent, Lectionary Year B

Isaiah 64:1-9

Mark 13:24-37

The readings for the first Sunday of Advent always seem to be about the end of the world, when in fact they are about a new beginning in the usual manner of how God moves the church and the world forward. As our congregation faces financial pressures for 2018, we watch for God to do a new thing in our congregation, and we ask whether we are ready to follow God's lead into new uncertainty. 

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Sermon Audio 11/26/2017 Guest Sermon: Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Christ the King Sunday, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 25:31-46 

Our guest preacher today is Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational and Leadership Excellence in the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA. 

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Sermon Audio 11/19/2017, 24th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 25:14-30 

Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Sometimes life feels like mess after mess, and we are left to trust that through Jesus, God gives grace in a graceless world. 

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Sermon Audio 11/12/2017, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Amos 5:18-24 

"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." These powerful words from Amos cut through all the madness of our news cycles. If our worship and faith practices do not direct us toward the needs of our neighbors, then who are we really worshiping?

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Sermon Audio 11/5/2017, All Saints Sunday A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

All Saints Sunday, Lectionary Year A

Revelation 7:9-17

1 John 3:1-3 

On All Saints we remember those who have gone before us, even as we look ahead to future generations of believers. Even so, now is the time for us to be the church.

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Sermon Audio 10/29/2017, Reformation Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Reformation Sunday

John 8:31-36 

500 years of reformation. 50 years of Lutheran Church of the Savior. How does the Holy Spirit continue to transform the church? 

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

If you want to support this podcast and the ministry of Lutheran Church of the Savior, please click the church link above and scroll down to donate. Thanks. 

Sermon Audio 10/22/2017 20th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 22:15-22 

Despite the false gods we carry around with us, the idols in whom we place our trust, God is still God. Jesus is God in the world for us. 

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Sermon Audio 10/15/2017, 19th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 22:1-14 

Jesus tells a challenging parable about a wedding banquet. How do we let Jesus' words challenge us to follow him more closely? 

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Sermon Audio 10/8/2017, 18th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 21:33-46 

Jesus' story of murderous tenants feels frighteningly resonant in light of the latest large-scale mass shooting and the other news of the week. How are we to follow Jesus in such a messed-up world? What can we hold on to? 

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Sermon Audio 10/1/2017, 17th Sunday after Pentecost

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 21:23-32 

Guest preacher C.J. Clark returned to offer a gospel word from Living Water Ministries, our outdoor ministry partner for summer camp and so much more. 

If you want to know why it took a week to publish this one, listen to next week's sermon. 

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Sermon Audio 9/24/2017, 16th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 20:1-16 

Jesus tells a relatable parable about jealousy and generosity. Where do we find ourselves in this story? 

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Sermon Audio 9/17/2017, 15th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 18:21-35 

We dig deeper into forgiveness, as Matthew's Gospel leads us beyond simple understandings into the real, complicated experience of forgiveness in our lives.

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This sermon featured three extended quotations, and here are the links to those words. 

Kenneth Wheeler

Pam Marolla

Jiim Bryan - in the comments on Karoline Lewis article. 

Sermon Audio 9/10/2017, 14th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 18:15-20 

Jesus' famous method for dealing with conflict ends with one of his most comforting promises. When we dig deeper, what is Jesus promising to us?

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Sermon Audio 9/3/2017, 13th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 16:21-28 

The cross is the symbol of Christianity. Sometimes I forget what that means, but today's Gospel story reminds us that following Jesus leads us where we do not want to go. 

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Sermon Audio 8/27/2017, 12th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 16:13-20 

In Jesus your sins are forgiven. In Jesus you are set free. 

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Sermon Audio 8/20/2017 11th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 15:10-28 

Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman is among the most striking occurrences in the Gospels. In light of recent public conflict regarding white supremacy, we can learn from the expansion of God's grace that comes from this confrontation.

Sermon Audio 8/13/2017, 10th Sunday after Pentecost A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

1 Kings 19:9-18 

After a two-month hiatus, LCS sermon audio is back! And what a time to return: a country rocked by white supremacist violence, a church wondering how to live out the gospel in the face of evil, and God's presence in a sound of sheer silence.

Sermon Audio 6/11/2017, Shared with Pastor Joshua Kibezi of African Christian Fellowship

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Holy Trinity Sunday, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 28:16-20 

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus tells his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. Today's sermon is shared with Pastor Joshua Kibezi of African Christian Fellowship, the new church meeting in our building on Sunday afternoons. Pastor Joshua tells of his life in Democratic Republic of Congo, his time starting a church in a refugee camp in Malawi, his introduction to the United States in Minnesota, and finally his new life and ministry here in Kalamazoo. 

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Sermon Audio 6/4/2017, Pentecost - Celebrating 50 Years of Lutheran Church of the Savior

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Pentecost Sunday, Lectionary Year A

Acts 2:1-21 

Today's guest preacher, Rev. Craig A. Satterlee, serves as Bishop of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA. He joined us to help celebrate our Pentecost, 50 years of Lutheran Church of the Savior's ministry. We spent two years preparing for the Holy Spirit to transform our congregation in our Pentecost, and this sermon speaks of some of the fruits the Spirit has already cultivated during this time. We are grateful to Bishop Satterlee for sharing this celebration with us today.  

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Sermon Audio 5/28/2017, Seventh Sunday of Easter A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

Acts 1:6-14 

Before Jesus ascended he left his disciples with a map to follow: Jerusalem, the surrounding region, and to the ends of the earth. He also promised them a guide: the Holy Spirit. As Lutheran Church of the Savior prepares for our big Pentecost celebration next weekend, how have Jesus' final words guided us?

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Sermon Audio 5/21/2017 Sixth Sunday of Easter A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

John 14:15-21 

On the night he washed his disciples' feet, Jesus comforted them with the promise that God would always be with them. In doing so he offered an unexpected model for their future ministry. 

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Sermon Audio 5/14/2017, Fifth Sunday of Easter A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

Acts 7:55-60 

The stoning of Stephen raises disturbing questions about the nature of religious violence, and unfortunately those questions are still relevant today.

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Sermon Audio 5/7/2017 Fourth Sunday of Easter A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year A

John 10:1-10 

Jesus came to bring abundant life to the man born blind and to all who others define by their history instead of their future. 

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Sermon Audio 3/16/2017 Easter Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Easter Sunday, Lectionary Year A

John 20:1-18 

The Holy Spirit is active in our church and in our world, and it's ok if we admit that we don't always recognize the Spirit's work. But when we do see the Spirit moving among us, we have a chance to be a part of God's work.

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Special Audio: Fiery Furnace Story from Daniel at Great Vigil of Easter

For the third year in a row, I got to read the Fiery Furnace story at the Vigil. It's so much fun! Everyone in the assembly gets a part (Satrap? Trigon player?), and together we perform the most fun reading of the year. I hope you enjoy this reading, and I hope it inspires you to attend the Vigil next year!

Daniel 3:1-29

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Sermon Audio 4/15/2017 Vigil of Easter

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Romans 6:3-11 

God brings life from death. The entire Vigil - fire, story, song, baptism, Eucharist - show that this is what God does and who God is. A short sermon to reiterate all we've experienced at the Great Vigil of Easter. 

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Sermon Audio 4/13/2017 Maundy Thursday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35 

Jesus' new commandment to love one another comes with an example that shows love to be much more than just a feeling or an idea. 

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Sermon Audio 4/9/2017 Palm / Passion Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion, Lectionary Year A

John 12:12-19

John 18:1-19:42

The juxtaposition of Palm Sunday's raucous proclamation of Jesus as king and the Passion's stark abandonment of Jesus to the authorities shows us much about who we are as people and as followers of Jesus. 

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Sermon Audio 4/2/2017, Fifth Sunday of Lent A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year A

John 11:1-45 

Resurrection and new life are God's work, even in the season of Lent. 

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Sermon Audio 3/26/2017 4th Sunday of Lent A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year A

John 9:1-41 

The story of Jesus healing the man born blind is long enough to cover just about everything we know about Jesus and how people responded to his ministry. "Who sinned?" is a question we still find ourselves asking today, and Jesus' answer makes all the difference.

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Sermon Audio for Funeral of Glenora Perez 3/25/2017

Over 200 people joined us to celebrate and remember the life of Glenora Perez on Saturday, and many more who wanted to be here were unable to attend. Below is a description of Glenora's life by her family, as well as a link to audio of my sermon at her funeral. 

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Sermon Audio 3/19/2017: Guest Preacher Rev. Mike Kemper for LCS History Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year A

Exodus 17:1-7 

Our guest preacher today is Rev. Mike Kemper, who served as the fourth called pastor of Lutheran Church of the Savior from 1994 to 2008. Our celebration of LCS history is the first part of our Pentecost Celebration of 50 years of ministry here, to be followed on April 30th by a celebration of the history of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (closed in 1995), and our final Pentecost Celebration on Sunday June 4th with Bishop Craig Satterlee preaching.

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Sermon Audio 3/12/2017, Third Sunday of Lent A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

Genesis 12:1-4a 

In today's first reading, God begins a  relationship with Abram and Sarai that will forever shape God's relationship with all of humanity. God's command to become an immigrant comes with some of the most important promises God has ever made.

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Sermon Audio 3/5/2017, First Sunday of Lent A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

First Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 4:1-11 

Lent begins with the temptation of Jesus. Which of the three temptations is most tempting to you? As we look ahead to the end of Lent, was Jesus tempted to avoid the cross?

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Sermon Audio 2/12/2017, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 5:21-37 

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is filled with challenging instructions for how we are to live together. What can we do with the law Jesus brings, and where is the good news here? 

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Sermon Audio 2/5/2017, 5th Sunday after Epiphany A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Isaiah 58:1-9a 

God challenges God's people to move beyond religious ritual into relationship with God and neighbor. How does this challenge fit into our lives of faith, and how do we respond? 

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Sermon Audio 1/29/2016, 4th Sunday after Epiphany A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Micah 6:1-8

Matthew 5:1-12 

Two of the most famous passages in the Bible tell us how we can worship God and follow Jesus. Justice, kindness, humility and blessing can shape our lives and our response to those around us.

This is one of those days when experiencing the entire liturgy really enhances the experience of the sermon. The prayers, music, and entire liturgy echoed and reinforced the message of the Beatitudes, Micah, and our reading from 1 Corinthians (1:18-31). Our hymn following the sermon was Let Streams of Living Justice (ELW 710), and I could not stop crying through the entire thing because the song so clearly explained the gospel message for today. Below is the text of that hymn, as an example of the rest of our liturgy today.

Sermon Audio 1/22/2017, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year A

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-23 

On the weekend of a presidential inauguration, political divisions and uncertainties shape our public discourse. Into this transitional time, the lectionary gives us Paul preaching unity in Christ to the Corinthian church, and Jesus begins his public ministry by calling all to repentance in preparation for the kingdom of heaven. So let's dive in and talk politics. 

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Sermon Audio 1/15/2017, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year A

Isaiah 49:1-7 

It is too light a thing, God says, that you should save yourselves. Instead, through you I will bring salvation to the ends of the earth. As we prepared for our annual congregational meeting following worship today, this powerful message to God's people in Isaiah has much to say about the year we experienced in 2016 and what 2017 will hold for Lutheran Church of the Savior. 

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Sermon Audio 1/8/2017, Baptism of Our Lord A

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Baptism of Our Lord A, Lectionary Year A

Matthew 3:13-17 

Do you remember your baptism? Many people don't. Jesus remembers his baptism, and Jesus remembers your baptism as well. 

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Sermons Audio: 12/24/2016 Christmas Eve and 1/1/17 Name of Jesus

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Eve, Lectionary Year A

Luke 2:1-21

Two sermons, a week apart, on mostly the same Gospel story and thus similar in theme: the birth of Jesus is the incarnation of God among us. What does this mean?

To hear this podcast: listen here, use this link (12/24/2016), this link (1/1/2017) or use iTunes or Google Play Music to subscribe or listen by searching "Tengwall."