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Children of the Light
SCRIPTURES “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests …. At that time I [the Lord] will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in…
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Giving and Proclaiming
Introduction Emmanuel Lutheran Church, east of Beatrice, Nebraska, invited me to preach and preside at worship on Oct. 16, 2011, the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings Isaiah 45:1–7 Psalm 96:1–13, antiphon v. 7 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Matthew 22:15–22 Homily Let us pray …. May the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts…
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In the Meantime … The Old Saying
Introduction This article is the May 2010 installment of my monthly message in the parish newsletter for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb. The Old Saying Somewhere in the dusty recesses of our memories rests the time when we first learned the saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” This year our April has featured more…
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Not of Night
“We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5b–6a, NAB)
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Imitators
“For you, brothers, have become imitators of the churches of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 2:14a, NAB)
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Not in Word Alone
“For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the holy Spirit and with much conviction.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5a, NAB)
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Facing the Dawn
Introduction This is a funeral homily I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Readings Isaiah 12:1–6 Psalm 121 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Luke 2:15–20, 33–35 Message One of the loneliest feelings is to be sad, when all around you, others are happy. And this week, as you have faced…
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Stand Up
Introduction This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28-29, 2009, the weekend of the First Sunday of Advent. + + + Readings Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 + + + Prayer As we hear and heed your Word, O God,…
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Destined for Salvation
“For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, NRSV)
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Not in the Dark
“You are not in the dark, brothers, that the day should catch you off guard, like a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, LH)