Sermon Audio 4/6/2016, Commemoration of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (transferred)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Kalamazoo MI

Commemoration of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (April 9, transferred)

Romans 6:3-11

Bonus sermon: Today I was blessed with the opportunity to preach and preside at midweek Eucharist at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Always a wonderful worship experience, whether I am leading or sitting in the back row. 

Not a lot of original thought from me in this sermon, instead favoring heavy quotations from the apostle Paul, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rev. Dr. Robert Saler, all of whom know better than me how to talk about following Jesus in this world. 

Sermon Audio 4/3/2016, Easter 2C

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Second Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year C

Revelation 1:4-8

God's love is more powerful than human kings or human cultures or even that most human thing of all, death. Revelation draws us to that love as God's future for us.

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

Sermon 3/26/2016 Vigil of Easter

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Resurrection of Our Lord: Vigil of Easter

Luke 24:1-12 

On this night of fire and water, Word and sacrament, sacred story and ridiculous tale, we heard the Good News of God's love for us in Jesus Christ. And we saw the Good News, and tasted it, and smelled it, and touched it. 

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

Sermon Audio 3/24/2016 Maundy Thursday

LutheranChurch of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Day of Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Foot-washing is divisive because it asks us to make ourselves vulnerable to one another. 

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

Sermon Audio 3/20/2016, Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday C

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday, Lectionary Year C

Psalm 31:9-16 [Link to Oremus]

A brief reflection on the crucifixion and death of our Lord through the lens of our Psalm for today: "For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around." Recent sermons have discussed our current election season and the mass shooting here in Kalamazoo, and those sources of fear again bubble up today. But at this beginning of Holy Week, even as we see Jesus die we know fear will not be the end of our story. 

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

Sermon Audio 3/13/2016

This week I "swapped pulpits" with Rev. Christin Fawcett of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Holland, MI. It was a fun experience, and I'm wondering why I haven't done this sort of thing more often over the years.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Holland MI

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Lectionary Year C

John 12:1-8 

This famous story sets up a stark contrast between Judas and Mary, with much more at stake than a question of how to spend money to follow Jesus. The nature of the Good News itself is in question here, and true to form, Jesus surprises everyone. 

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

Sermon Audio 3/6/2016, Fourth Sunday of Lent C

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo 

Day of Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 

Forgiveness. It's a central part of our faith. We talk about it all the time in church. Still, it can be incredibly difficult to actually forgive. And our society offers a tempting alternative to forgiveness. 

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