Latest Posts
-
Terrible, wonderful days
Last week, one of my seminary classmates lost his wife. The funeral was yesterday. It was awful and beautiful in the way that big life moments can be. We celebrated Easter just two days before her death. We sang and… Continue reading
-
February 9, 2025: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13], Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 Big Themes: Calling. Isaiah is called to speak God’s word. Paul is called, as one “untimely born,” and Jesus calls his first disciples. Isaiah 6 is the famous vision… Continue reading
-
Cristo Rey
No one should be afraid to come to worship. No child or teenager should be afraid of being bullied. No chronically ill person should worry that their congregation won’t help protect their immune system. No one should be afraid that… Continue reading
-
Ediface Complex
Mark 11-13, which the church is reading through in worship right now, is a critique of the scribes and of the Temple system. Jesus is, of course, a good Jew. He’s part of the system that he criticizes and loves… Continue reading
-
Ethics
Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV) 2Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal… Continue reading
-
Mark 9:38-50
Another Exorcist 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a deed… Continue reading
-
What does a pastor do all day?
I’ve started a new call! I’m now the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC. It’s been a good and peaceful transition for me. The daily routine of a parish pastor is different from that of an Assistant to… Continue reading
-
Who is this?: Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
On June 23rd, I had the gift of preaching at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aiken. They have three services; here’s the link to the 11am. Thanks to the fine folks in Aiken for their hospitality! The gospel starts about… Continue reading
-
What is Preaching, Anyway?
Posting my sermon manuscripts on this blog has made me more aware of something that has always been true: The words on the page of my manuscript are not always the words that come out of my mouth. As with… Continue reading
-
Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B
Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin were lovely hosts this weekend, and their online worship is wonderful at making sure everyone has the words. Nicodemus Visits Jesus 3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came… Continue reading
Words About The Word 