Sermon Audio 12/2/2018, First Sunday of Advent C

Hope Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Luke 21:25-36

A new church year, and it's time for me to resume posting audio of my sermons. I've been recording them, just not posting, so I may also add some from previous weeks, out of chronological order.

This week's sermon begins a new church year with an introduction to Advent and the idea that in the coming church year we will look ahead to what God is about to do.

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Sermon Audio 10/28/2018, Reformation Sunday

Hope Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

Reformation Sunday

John 8:31-36

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Hello! I haven't been posting my sermons - or anything else - since I came to Saint Paul. I will probably start to do so again soon. Right now I'm still trying to figure out how best to balance my time between pastoring Hope, starting a new congregation, and keeping my home and family life together. Pro tip: don't move across the country, start new jobs, buy a house and two cars, and start new schools and daycares all at the same time unless you really, really need to do so.

Anyway, on to this week's sermon. Other pastors - even Lutheran ones - undoubtedly preached better sermons against Christian anti-Semitism this weekend in response to the murders of eleven people at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Still, this is my sermon attempting to grapple with Lutheran history and biblical interpretation in light of the current moment. The congregation seemed to appreciate it (if not exactly "like" it), and a number inquired about the book I recommended, Mary Solberg's A Church Undone.

For what has God in Christ set us free? This is the question we followers of Jesus wrestle with on days like this, when we are keenly aware of our Lutheran heritage and the effects of bad theology and biblical interpretation upon innocent people in today's world.

 

Changes

News! After nearly nine years in Kalamazoo, I am now the pastor and mission developer with Hope Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

I have a lot of questions. What will a faithful, committed, aging, low-numbers congregation become as they continue to follow the Holy Spirit? How will our partnership with Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, a Hmong-American ELCA congregation that shares our space, shape our shared ministry by responding to the needs of the neighborhood? What might God do next in the northeast corner of Saint Paul? 

I will try again to post audio of my sermons online, and possibly to write more in this space again - but no promises. Between moving, buying a house, getting a kid into school, starting two new jobs, and enjoying Lake Phalen just a couple of blocks a way, its' been a busy month around here. Hopefully things will settle down enough that I can find some kind of balance between family, house, health, and the various aspects of church present in my call to Hope. 

Sermon Audio 7/8/2018, 7th Sunday after Pentecost B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

This is my last sermon as pastor of Lutheran Church of the Savior. I decided to avoid my feelings by talking about spreadsheets, before coming back around to talk about Jesus. 

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 7/1/2018, Day Camp Week!

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Day camp week! 

Luke 10:1-9

This week we hosted Day Camp with Living Water Ministries, so our Gospel lesson came from the camp program rather than from the lectionary. In today's sermon we get to hear from a set of kids who attended day camp this week. What did they enjoy? What did they learn? Is this what the reign of God looks like?

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, you can do so here, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 6/24/2018, 5th Sunday after Pentecost B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Mark 4:35-41 

This was a special day: Lutheran Church of the Savior and African Christian Fellowship worshiped together! As such, this sermon was translated to French in real time. It's about Jesus. 

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, you can do so here, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 6/17/2018, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Mark 4:26-34 

The reign of God - or kingdom of God - grows out of the ruins of our efforts to build a world of human justice. Will we allow the reign of God to grow in us, transforming our lives to radical care for one another?

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 6/10/2018, Pentecost 3B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Mark 3:20-35 

In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus' own family sides with the religious authorities in believing Jesus to be out of his mind. What does it mean to be a family? What holds a family together? This question is particularly relevant to our congregation right now, between this weekend's celebration at Kalamazoo Pride and this week's news that I will be leaving Lutheran Church of the Savior this summer. It's good for us that Jesus has something grace-filled to say about family.

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, you can do so here, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 6/3/2018 2nd Sunday after Pentecost B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Mark 2:23--3:6 

The religious authorities challenge Jesus for breaking the law on the Sabbath. What is the purpose of Sabbath? Who is it for?

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 5/20/2018, Pentecost B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Pentecost Sunday, Lectionary Year B

John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
Acts 2:1-21 

We trust in the Holy Spirit, just as the church did in its creation at Pentecost. How do we experience the Spirit? What will the Spirit do with us next?  

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 5/13/2018, Seventh Sunday of Easter B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year B

John 17:6-19 

On his last night with his disciples, after sharing a meal and washing their feet, Jesus prayed about what God had given them. What can Jesus' prayer teach us about what God has given us? 

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 5/6/2018 Sixth Sunday after Easter B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year B

Acts 10:44-48 

Today's Acts lesson tells how the Holy Spirit descended upon the gentiles of Cornelius' household during Peter's great sermon. God has shown Peter a new thing, and even gentiles receive God's Spirit and thus are full members of Christ's church. Who is to prevent people from knowing the love of God in Jesus? 

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon 4/29/2018, Fifth Sunday of Easter B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year B

1 John 4:7-21

Acts 8:26-40 

This passage in the first letter of John summarizes the teaching of John's Gospel in such powerful phrases as "Love one another" and "God is love." What does this love look like? Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch show us on the road.

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 4/22/2018, Easter 4B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year B 

Psalm 23 

This Psalm is enormously popular because it shares God's love for us in such clear, evocative images.

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 4/15/2018, Easter 3B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year B

Luke 24:36b-48 

The church is Christ's body in the world, and we are members of that body. Baptism and eucharist lead us into the work of being Christ's body.

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 4/1/2018, Easter Sunday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Easter Sunday

John 20:1-18 

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!What does this mean for us following Jesus today?

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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, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 3/29/2018, Maundy Thursday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-35 

We begin our celebration of the Three Days with a sermon from guest preacher 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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If you want to support this podcast and the ministry of Lutheran Church of the Savior, you can do so here, or text the amount you want to give to 269-331-2111 and follow the prompts on your phone. Thanks!

Sermon Audio 3/25/2018, Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion, Lectionary Year B

John 12:12-19

Mark 15 

Palm Sunday and Sunday of the Passion are a lot to process. On Saturday evening, after I'd gotten the baby to sleep, I sat down and saw that my social media feeds were filled with stories, images, and videos of that day's March for Our Lives. I knew I would need to scrap the sermon I had planned and write a new one to reflect the connection between Jesus' own procession into Jerusalem and the march of 800,000 people led by teens and children in Washington, DC. I opted for a fully scripted sermon, a practice I reserve for rare occasions.

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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 3/11/2018, 2nd Sunday of Lent B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year B

Ephesians 2:1-10 

Today's lesson from Ephesians offers perhaps the Bible's clearest explanation of how Lutherans understand God's work in Jesus. In today's sermon we all talk about how we've seen God intervene in the places where people need God's grace the most. This sermon features audience participation, so I hope that doesn't mess up the experience of listening online too badly.

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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 3/4/2018, Third Sunday of Lent B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year B

Exodus 20:1-17 

The Ten Commandments are one of the most famous and important writings in all of Christian or Jewish scripture. In such a rich and history-shaping text, there is always something new to learn about God and our relationship with God.

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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 2/25/2018, 2nd Sunday of Lent B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year B

Genesis 7:1-7, 15-16 

God's covenant with Abraham and Sarah is the beginning of a relationship that affects our lives, churches, and geopolitical situation to this day. What does this covenant teach us about following Jesus together?

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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 2/18/2018, Lent 1B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Genesis 9:8-17 

God's promise to Noah and his family is the first of the covenants in which God attempts to build a healthy relationship between humans and God. What does it mean that God is the one who changes in this covenant? 

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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 2/14/2018, Ash Wednesday

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 

In a world ruled by fear, evil, and violence, where is our God? Where are God's people? 

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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 2/11/2018, Transfiguration B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Transfiguration of Our Lord, Lectionary Year B 

Mark 9:2-9 

Jesus' transfiguration on the mountaintop raises profound questions about who Jesus is. As we plunge from this pinnacle into the season of Lent, how do Jesus' humanity and divinity, his life and death shape our lives?

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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 2/4/2018, 5th Sunday after Epiphany B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year B

Mark 1:29-39 

Resurrection is new life brought from death. In the kingdom of God, resurrection is a reality right now. Where have you seen or experienced resurrection? 

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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 1/28/2018, 4th Sunday after Epiphany B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B

Mark 1:21-28 

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus' first public act is to teach in the synagogue and set a person free from an unclean spirit. Can we recognize and confront evil like Jesus did? 

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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 1/21/2018, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Third Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B

Mark 1:14-20 

Mark's is the right now Gospel, reminding us of the urgency of Jesus' life and ministry. How can that urgency shape the ways we follow Jesus?

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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 1/14/2018, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B

John 1:43-51 

What is an epiphany? Is it for you? Despite what we may say or think about "other" places and the "other" people there, Jesus can reach anyone, anywhere, and transform their lives. Your life.

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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 1/7/2018, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany B

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year B

Acts 19:1-7 

In baptism we become members of the body of Christ, the church. In baptism we also receive the Holy Spirit. How can the church follow the Holy Spirit as we seek to live our our baptismal identity as the body of Christ?

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, you can do so here. Thanks.