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Formation Under God’s Hand
When the Spirit-Driven Task Force at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church met on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, the members discussed Christian Education. This was a reflection shared during the devotions. In the second creation story in Genesis, we hear that “the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew…
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“Do Not Be Afraid”
Introduction The people of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., have organized a Spirit-Driven Task Force, bringing together almost forty members who have committed to a year of study, prayer, reflection, and deliberation to discern how God is calling the congregation to renewal for the sake of his mission. This is the twentieth…
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Listening to Our Master
“Listen, O my son, to the teachings of your master, and turn to them with the ear of your heart” (Prologue 1, Benedict’s Rule, Terrence G. Kardong, trans., The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., 1996). St. Benedict begins his rule in simplicity by calling us to listen. When we put down what burdens our hands, when…
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By Faith
This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 8, 2010. + + + Readings Genesis 15:1–6 Psalm 33:12–22 (antiphon v.22) Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16 Luke 12:32–40 + + + Prayer Gracious Father, by your Holy Spirit refresh our faith in your Son, Jesus Christ,…
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“How Much More?”
This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 25, 2010. + + + Readings Genesis 18:20–32 Psalm 138 (antiphon v.8) Colossians 2:6–19 Luke 11:1–13 + + + Prayer We ask you, heavenly Father, to give us your Holy Spirit, so we may pray…
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“What I Have is Yours”
This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 18, 2010. + + + Readings Genesis 18:1–10a Psalm 15 (antiphon v.1) Colossians 1:15–28 Luke 10:38–42 + + + Prayer Loving Father, lead us by your Holy Spirit to welcome your Son, our Lord Jesus…
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Question Box: Body Mods
Introduction Holy Cross Lutheran Church began offering individuals the chance to ask questions about the Church, faith, theology, and the Bible by putting their queries into a Question Box. A question and answer appears in each month’s newsletter. This is the June 2010 installment. Question What does the Bible say about practices that alter our…
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We Have Seen the Lord
This is the sermon I prepared for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., for the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 3, 2010. + + + Readings Genesis 1:1–2:2 Exodus 14:10–15:1a Ezekiel 37:1–14 Isaiah 4:2–6 Romans 6:3–11 John 20:1–18 + + + Prayer Stir up in us, O Father, the gift of your Holy Spirit, so that…
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Between Bride and Bridegroom
This is a homily I prepared for a wedding at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 13, 2010. + + + Readings Genesis 1:26–31 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 Matthew 19:3–6 + + + Message If the word “love” were a set of tires, the tread on them would be worn smooth. We have put so…
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Gathering a Scattered Flock
This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27–28, 2010, for the Second Sunday in Lent. + + + Readings Genesis 15:1–12, 17–18 Psalm 27 (antiphon v. 5) Philippians 3:17–4:1 Luke 13:31–35 + + + Prayer You call us to return to you, Lord God,…