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Christ the King: Last Sunday after Pentecost—November 25, 2018
Preacher: Intern Pastor Andy Flatt-Kuntze
Lessons: Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14 | Psalm 93 | Revelation 1:4b–8 | John 18:33–37
Summary: History is full of breaking points where the world changed. We are finally at the end of the season after Pentecost, and we stand in a moment of tension between what was and what is to come. All of Jesus’ life comes to a head in today’s Gospel as he stands before Pilate and says that his kingdom is not of this world. This is a direct challenge to the world as it has been. We stand in this sacred space between what has been and what will be. It is deliberate and transforming. Crossing the threshold is not the end, but it is a beginning. It is time for us to do so.
Sermon not recorded due to technical issues.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 33—November 18, 2018
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Daniel 12:1–3 | Psalm 16 | Hebrews 10:11–25 | Mark 13:1–8
Summary: In today’s Gospel, the disciples marvel at the immensity of the temple. Too often we build our lives on institutions that do not really matter. The temple fell, and so will the things we hold most dear. Jesus calls us to begin by learning to love, then to create places to love others and encounter Christ, and finally to teach love. This is not a panacea, but it can allow love to break down the walls that divide us and bring us together as the body of Christ.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 32—November 11, 2018
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 1 Kings 17:8–16 | Psalm 146 | Hebrews 9:24–28 | Mark 12:38–44
Summary: Today’s lessons talk of widows—the widow of Zaraphat, who feeds Elijah, and the widow Jesus watches giving her penny to the temple. Too often religious organizations devour what little the poor have. Jesus calls us to have compassion on the unseen of the world. We need to see each other in the way God sees us—in grace as beloved children. This is the only way to have true peace.
All Saints’ Sunday—November 4, 2018
Preacher: Intern Pastor Andy Flatt-Kuntze
Lessons: Isaiah 25:6–9 | Psalm 24 | Revelation 21:1–6 | John 11:32–44
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Mary is distraught and says that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died. We often feel the same way in our world where death seems so close and God so far away. Jesus weeps, and so do we as grief takes over our lives. God weeps with us as we confront tragedy. In the Gospel, the stone is rolled away and Jesus calls Lazarus back to life. And in our own time, God calls us and the victims of tragedy to life.
Listen to this sermon. (We apologize for the presence of occasional spots where the sound drops out.)
Reformation Sunday—October 28, 2018
Preacher: Intern Pastor Andy Flatt-Kuntze
Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Psalm 46 | Romans 3:19–28 | John 8: 31–36
Summary: Today is Reformation Sunday, and we celebrate our history. The Reformation was admirable, but sometimes we get it wrong. In light of yesterday’s killings at the Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh, we cannot ignore that fact that all three of today’s lessons have been used to promote anti-Semitism. And we must remember that Martin Luther, for all his powerful theology, was anti-Semitic. We must work for true reconciliation and remember the truth that God loves the entire work and all humanity.
Listen to this sermon. (We apologize for the presence of occasional spots where the sound drops out.)
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 29—October 21, 2018
Preacher: Intern Pastor Andy Flatt-Kuntze
Lessons: Isaiah 53:4–12 | Psalm 91:9–16 | Hebrews 5:1–10 | Mark 10:35–45
Summary: In today’s Gospel, James and John ask Jesus to let them sit on his right and left hand, and the other disciples get angry. In the past, while men were usually called to leadership roles in the church, it was often the women who took the role of serving. What if two women had come to Jesus and asked to sit on the right and left? I pray to God that Jesus would have allowed it. Every day I give thanks that women and others who know what it means to be servant of all are more and more being called to leadership in the church.
ermon not recorded due to technical issues.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 28—October 14, 2018
Preacher: Intern Pastor Andy Flatt-Kuntze
Lessons: Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 | Psalm 90:12–17 | Hebrews 4:12–16 | Mark 10:17–31
Summary: While back in Wisconsin last week, I watch “Undercover Boss.” In today’s Gospel, a rich man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life and leaves downcast when Jesus tells him to sell everything and give the money to the poor. This Gospel lesson does not say that billionaires cannot inherit eternal life. Unlike some on “Undercover Boss,” Jesus’ time living “undercover” as God in human form transforms God. We do not need to shrink ourselves down to fit through the eye of the needle. God stretches the needle so that we are drawn through it to weave a rich tapestry of diversity from all of humanity.
Listen to this sermon. (We apologize for the presence of occasional spots where the sound drops out.)
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 27—October 7, 2018
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 2:18–24 | Psalm 8 | Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:5–12 | Mark 10:2–16
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus is confronted with the difficult question of divorce. This text has been used as a weapon to keep women subject to men and to discriminate against LGBTQ folks, but the text does not support this interpretation. The prohibition against divorce protected women in that time and really shows that Jesus treating men and women the same. Then Jesus goes on to welcome children. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus turns tradition on its head to support the powerless and welcome them into the dominion of God. The news of the day demonstrates the brokenness of our world. God calls us to a world where women, men, and children are all valued equally. We are called to love God, our neighbor, and our world with the agape love God has for us.
Sermon not recorded due to technical issues.