Though I often finish the first draft of my sermons on Fridays, I usually work on the sermons through Saturday evening and even into Sunday morning. But this week I'm done earlier than usual. Tomorrow's sermon is available today, over at my sermons blog, The Lutheran Zephyr: Sermons (which, if you're interested, has its ownContinue reading “Tomorrow’s Sermon, Today”
Tag Archives: church
Advent: Blue or Purple?
Reposted from my congregation's December newsletter, The Steeple Light What is the “proper” color of Advent – blue or purple? Purple was the long-standing color used by Lutheran congregations, as well as other liturgical churches, through most of the 20th century. The purple of Advent and of Lent served two purposes – emphasizing the royaltyContinue reading “Advent: Blue or Purple?”
Making Meaning on a Sunday Morning
I skipped church on Sunday morning. It felt strange, for sure. I'm a pastor, after all. I usually work on Sundays, preaching a sermon, presiding at the altar, teaching a class, leading children in prayer. I'm someone who finds great meaning and power in the Word and Sacraments and the fellowship of the Christian community.Continue reading “Making Meaning on a Sunday Morning”
Ministering to < 27.5%
A few weeks ago Dr. Roger Nishioka, professor of practical theology at Columbia Theological Seminary, spoke at our synod assembly's fall session on the topic of young adults in the church. He had lots of wonderful, challenging, and insightful things to say, many of which were captured in a series of blogposts posted from theContinue reading “Ministering to < 27.5%”
Choosing Church … or Vacation, or Soccer, or Work, or Family Time, or …
One of the most subtle yet significant learnings I picked up at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network's Extravaganza was a simple little law filled with love: Don't complain about parents who take their kids to (insert activity) instead of church. They are doing so out of love. Indeed, the importance of this little law didn'tContinue reading “Choosing Church … or Vacation, or Soccer, or Work, or Family Time, or …”
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