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Refuge for All
Introduction The Congregation Council at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., where I am serving as interim pastor, opens its monthly meetings with devotions. These are the thoughts for the January 2010 meeting. The Psalm is the one appointed for the upcoming Sunday, the Second Sunday of Epiphany. Reading 5Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends…
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Water, Spirit, and Fire
This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9–10, 2010, for the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. + + + Readings Isaiah 43:1–7 Psalm 29 (antiphon v. 3) Acts 8:14–17 Luke 3:15–17, 21–22 + + + Prayer Gracious God, open our eyes to…
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Flames of Fire
“The Lord’s voice flashes flames of fire.” (Psalm 29:7, LH)
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“Arise, shine…”
Introduction This is the sermon I had planned to preach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, as part of Vespers on the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord. The service was cancelled due to another snowstorm. + + + Readings Isaiah 60:1–6 Psalm 72 (antiphon v. 11) Ephesians…
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Adopted, Redeemed, and Sealed
Introduction This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 2–3, 2010, for the Second Sunday of Christmas. + + + Readings Jeremiah 31:7–14 or Sirach 24:1–12 Psalm 147:12–20 (antiphon v. 12) or Wisdom 10:51–21 (antiphon v. 20) Ephesians 1:3–14 John 1:[1–9] 10–18 + + +…
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One More Year
Introduction This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, for the New Year’s Eve Eucharist. + + + Readings Jeremiah 24:1–7 Psalm 102:24–28 1 Peter 1:22–25 Luke 13:6–9 + + + Prayer Father in heaven, grant us times of quiet thoughtfulness, that we may rest…
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A Word for These Last Days
Introduction This is the sermon I had planned to preach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, for Christmas Day. A blizzard forced cancellation of worship. So the congregation will celebrate its Christmas Day service on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009. + + + Readings Isaiah 52:7–10 Psalm 98 (antiphon v.…
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Pondering the Treasure
Introduction This is the sermon I had planned to preach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, for Christmas Eve. A blizzard forced cancellation of worship. So the congregation will celebrate its Christmas Eve service on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. + + + Readings Isaiah 9:2–7 Psalm 96 (antiphon v.…
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“According to the Promise”
Introduction This is the sermon I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19–20, 2009, the weekend of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. + + + Readings Micah 5:2–5a Psalm 80:1–7 (antiphon v.7) Hebrews 10:5–10 Luke 1:39–55 + + + Prayer As we hear and heed your Word, O…
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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…