In the Parish

Reading: Mark 12: 38-44, 1 Kings 17:8-16The story of the widow giving her last two coins to the treasury is not necessarily a model for us, but a reminder for Jesus of his own story. 

Reading: John 8:31-36Reformation Sunday is often a day of celebration for Lutherans. Such a day often leads us to forget the truth about our Christian life. 

Reading: Mark 10:35-45In the midst of ambitious disciples, Jesus lays out what ambition looks like in the Kingdom. 

Readings: Mark 10:17-31Here we have some of the longest accounts of Jesus' teaching in Mark's gospel. And it focuses on money, a favorite among Jesus and the prophets, and a topic we all would rather avoid. 

Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Mark 10:2-16God creates human community in Genesis and Jesus upholds a Kingdom-formed community based in mercy and grace as a witness to God's love in the world. 

Reading: Mark 9: 30-37Jesus follows God's lead of caring for the poor and outcast more that those who exist in positions of power. Not because they are loved more, but because God seeks to redeem all creation, not just the VIPs. Jesus invites us into that life. 

Reading: John 12:20-33

Reading: Exodus 20:1-17The culture of geeks is a particularly fertile area to reflect theologically on our human existence. Reflecting on our existence is at the core of understanding the decalogue. =============================================This sermon was preached at Zion Lutheran Church in Penn Hills, PA. Pastor Brian was invited to come do a campus ministry temple talk with students. A student did the temple talk and Pastor Brian preached. 

Reading: Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15In the sermon, I mention an image. This is it.

Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Reading: Matthew 14:13-33 Jesus feeds the multitude with a meal that is contrasted with another meal that takes place right before this one. 

Reading: Matthew 6:7-21Treasure in heaven... it's more than just money or salvation

Reading: Matthew 5:1-16The Beatitudes point to a future life that is made known in the real lives of people here and now.

Reading: Matthew 4:1-17Jesus' temptation and his withstanding it are functions of his humanity. God gives us ways to withstand temptation.

Reading: Matthew 3:1-17The identity of Jesus is revealed at his baptism. His identity then has implications for us upon our baptism.

Reading: Luke 2:1-20In the midst of darkness and uncertainty, God seeks to redeem the world through the ordinariness of human existence rather than through a major power play. 

Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10, 7:1-11Matthew 21: 12-13

From Nov. 2, 2014Reading: Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; then 2:1-4

Following the Narrative Lectionary, from October 19, 2014Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14