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Fruits of the Kingdom
Introduction Emmanuel Lutheran Church, east of Beatrice, Nebraska, invited me to preach and preside at worship on Oct. 2, 2011, the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings Isaiah 5:1–7 Psalm 80:7–15, antiphon vv.14–15 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33–46 Homily Let us pray …. May the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable…
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“Preferring Absolutely Nothing to Christ”
Introduction St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church celebrates the Eucharist on Tuesdays. Father Jerry Thompson invited me to lead worship on July 12, 2011. As is the parish’s practice, the service remembers a saint or other figure, transferring an observance if one does not fall on that particular date. Since July 11 is the…
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Calm Between the Times
Introduction The Landing at Williamsburg, a senior living facility of Immanuel Communities, holds worship on Sunday mornings. This is the homily from June 3, 2011, the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Readings Acts 1:6–14 Psalm 68:1–10, 32–35 1 Peter 4:12–14, 5:6–11 John 17:1–11 Homily This past Monday was a windy day. As I spent time working…
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Of Tears and Telling
Introduction St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church, Lincoln, Neb., celebrates the Holy Eucharist on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. The parish’s rector, Father Jerry Thompson, asked me to lead worship on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. This is Tuesday of Easter Week. Readings Acts 2:36–41 Psalm 118:19–24 John 20:11–18 Homily When we are weeping, our tears…
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The Will of the Father, the Way of the Cross
Introduction The Spirit Driven Task Force is a lay-led group of almost three dozen members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, formed to pray and study together and to examine the life of the congregation in the light of God’s guidance in Scripture and Tradition. The group held its first gathering on Sunday,…
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Majesty and Grace
Introduction St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church, Lincoln, Neb., celebrates the Holy Eucharist on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. The parish’s practice is to observe commemorations at this service. The parish’s rector, Father Jerry Thompson, asked me to lead worship on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. This date is also the day on which Jonathan Edwards,…
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Listen to the Angel of the Lord
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., celebrated the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19, 2010. This is my last Sunday serving as the congregation’s interim pastor. + + + Readings Isaiah 7:10–16 Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 Romans 1:1–7 Matthew 1:18–25 + + + Prayer Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell with us. Ask your Father to stir…
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We Wait with Patience
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 12, 2010. + + + Readings Isaiah 35:1–10 Luke 1:46b–55 (antiphon v. 47) James 5:7–10 Matthew 11:2–11 + + + Prayer Lord God, from your servant, Mary, we learn how to wait and to watch and listen with patience and faith for…
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Baptized with Spirit and Fire
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., celebrated the Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 5, 2010. + + + Readings Isaiah 11:1–10 Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 (antiphon v.7) Romans 15:4–13 Matthew 3:1–12 + + + Prayer Cleanse us with your fire, O Lord, and stir up your Holy Spirit in us, so that we may abandon the…
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The Day is Coming
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., marked the beginning of the Church year on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, 2010. + + + Readings Isaiah 2:1–5 Psalm 122 (antiphon v. 1) Romans 13:11–14 Matthew 24:36–44 + + + Prayer Prepare us, heavenly Father, for the day that is coming, so that we may…