The Rambling Rev

Sermon: Be Strong and Courageous, 6-15-25 by Pastor Scott Dalen

In this sermon, based on Acts 2:1-21, Pastor Scott explores the story of Pentecost as the Holy Spirit arrives and empowers the earliest Christian Church. He explores the original language connection between Spirit and Wind, as well as the disruptive way that both wind and the Spirit take action.

In this sermon, based on Acts 1:1-11, Pastor Scott explores the story of the Ascension of Jesus and how this story is a hinge between the story of the Gospel and the ongoing mission of the Church. This is the assigned text for Ascension Day, celebrated on June 1st, 2025.

In this sermon, based on John 14:23-29, Pastor Scott explores the promises made by Jesus in preparation for his departure, that the presence of God's Holy Spirit will never leave us alone. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday May 25th, the 6th Sunday of Easter.

In this sermon, based on Acts 11:1-18, Pastor Scott explores the event that opened the gospel up to the Gentiles and expanded the understanding of the earliest church as to who the gospel is for. This is the assigned text for Sunday May 18th, the 5th Sunday of Easter.

In this sermon, based on John 10:22-33, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' words that the sheep know his voice and that he knows them. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday May 11th, the 4th Sunday of Easter and Good Shepherd Sunday.

In this sermon, based on John 21:1-19, Pastor Scott explores the final resurrection appearance of Jesus in John's gospel, and the way that Peter is empowered into a new role in the midst of regular day to day life. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday May 4th, 2025, the 3rd Sunday of Easter.

In this sermon, based on John 20:19-31, Pastor Scott explores the story commonly known as Doubting Thomas. He then connects into the life of 8th grade confirmation students. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday April 27th, the 2nd Sunday of Easter.

In this Easter Sermon, based on Luke 24:1-12, Pastor Scott explores the hopeful promise of the empty tomb, by way of direwolf de-extinction and Jurassic Park. This is the assigned text for Sunday April 20th, Easter Sunday.

In this sermon for Palm Sunday, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem that kicks off the events of Holy Week. This sermon is based on Luke 19:28-44.

Sermon: Yes, Jesus Will Die 4-6-25 by Pastor Scott Dalen

In this sermon, based on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' parable commonly known as the prodigal son, with the reminder that we have a heavenly parent that will always search for us, and that whenever anyone is found we must celebrate.

In this sermon, based on Luke 13:1-9, Pastor Scott explores an encounter that Jesus has dispelling the myth that bad things only happen to bad people, before telling a strange little parable that seems to point in the same direction. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday March 23rd, the 3rd Sunday in Lent.

In this sermon, based on Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Pastor Scott explores the larger story of Abram (aka Abraham) and how God is faithful to the promise even through doubt and impatience and questions and concerns. This is the assigned text for Sunday March 16th, the 2nd Sunday of Lent.

In this sermon, based on Luke 4:1-13, Pastor Scott explores the story of Jesus' 40 days of temptation, reminding us of the presence of the Holy Spirit with him and with us. This is the assigned Gospel text for Sunday March 9th, the 1st Sunday of Lent.

In this sermon, based on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Pastor Scott explores the idea of piety, or faith practices, and the motivation behind why we do them. This is the assigned Gospel text for Ash Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.

In this sermon, based on Luke 9:28-36, Pastor Scott explores the transfiguration of Jesus, and God's instruction that we are to "listen to him." From there we zoom out to Jesus' many teachings about loving our neighbors, and the need to recognize the humanity of our fellow human beings.

In this sermon, based on Luke 6:17-20, 27-38, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' teaching from the sermon on the plain, in which he reminds us that we are called to show love even when its not easy or convenient. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday February 23rd, the 7th Sunday after Epiphany.

In this sermon, based on Luke 5:1-11, Pastor Scott explores the story of Jesus' calling the first disciples, and just what it might mean for us to be captured by the gospel. This is the assigned text for Sunday February 9th, the 5th Sunday after Epiphany.

In this sermon, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Pastor Scott explores the portion of scripture known as the love chapter. He unpacks the importance of love within our interactions and relationships, because without love anything we do is just a distraction. This is the assigned text for Sunday February 2nd, the 4th Sunday after Epiphany.

In this sermon, based on Luke 4:14-21, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' first public proclamation in which the year of the Lord's Favor comes into fruition. Pastor Scott explores the history behind this statement, and raises the question for us to consider, just who is the Gospel for? And what is its not always about me?

In this sermon, based on John 2:1-11, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday January 19th, the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany.

In this sermon, based on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Pastor Scott explores the Baptism of Jesus and the proclamation of God that this is my beloved Son. We share in the same baptism, and we share in the same identity. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday January 12th, Baptism of Our Lord Sunday.

In this sermon, based on Matthew 2, Pastor Scott explores the story of Epiphany, in which the Magi arrive to worship Jesus, and King Herod has a terrible reaction. This is the assigned gospel text for Epiphany, which is technically January 6th, but was focus of today's worship service.

In this sermon, Pastor Scott takes the approach of "stump the pastor." Following the reading of the 3 scripture lessons for the day, the congregation votes on which he'll use for the sermon, and he has 1 hymn to come up with the sermon. The lessons include 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Colossians 3:12-17; and Luke 2:41-52. While hints of all 3 are present, the main focal point is Colossians. These are the assigned texts for Sunday December 29th, the 1st Sunday of Christmas.

Sermon: Christmas Eve & Avacados by Pastor Scott Dalen

In this sermon, based on Luke 1:39-55, Pastor Scott explores the story of the visit between pregnant Elizabeth and Mary, as well as the song known as the Magnificat. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday December 22nd, the 4th Sunday of the Season of Advent.

In this sermon, based on Revelation 1:4-8, Pastor Scott offers a majorly abridged overview of the Bible narrative as the church year comes to a close on Christ the King Sunday. God reminds us of being the Alpha and Omega, so we recap the story.

In this sermon, based on Mark 13:1-8, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' prediction of the temple's destruction. Human nature of wanting to know when and how is on display in the reaction of the disciples. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday November 17th, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 12:38-44, Pastor Scott explores the story of Jesus pointing out the widow who gives her last two coins. He explores the idea that no matter our circumstances or status, we are seen by God and we are claimed as beloved children. This is the assigned Gospel text for Sunday November 10th, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on John 11:32-44, Pastor Scott explores the reality of life and death through the example of Jesus raising Lazarus back to life. We are reminded that we mourn together but also that God mourns with us. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday November 3rd, All Saints Sunday.

In this sermon, based on Mark 10:46-52, Pastor Scott explores the healing of Blind Bartimaeus by Jesus, and the important statement about the importance of faith. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday October 27th, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost and Reformation Sunday.

In this sermon, based on Mark 10:17-31, Pastor Scott explores the story of Jesus being asked how to inherit eternal life, and compares it with golf. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday October 13th, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Genesis 2:18-24, Pastor Scott explores the 2nd account of creation and how "the human" ultimately requires companionship. This is the assigned text for Sunday October 6th, the 20th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 9:38-50, Pastor Scott explores an odd teaching of Jesus in response to the disciples trying to justify themselves on account of their bias. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday September 29th, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 9:30-37, Pastor Scott explores Jesus' second passion prediction, which confused the disciples and led them into a completely different debate. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday September 22nd, the 18th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 8:27-38, Pastor Scott explores the statement made that Jesus is the Messiah, and the way he shuts that down before shifting into the reality of what being the Son of Man means. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday September 15th, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 7:24-37, Pastor Scott explores the ways that God's presence is among us, especially in the midst of hard/difficult circumstances. This is the assigned Gospel text for Sunday September 8th, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Job 32:1-10, Pastor Scott explores the idea of wisdom, and specifically how we share the wisdom of faith in the gospel. This is the text utilized for Sunday August 18th, the 13th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on 1 Kings 19:4-8, Pastor Scott explores the event when the prophet Elijah gets whiny and God orders a nap and food. This is the assigned text for Sunday August 11th, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 6:30-34 and 53-56, Pastor Scott explores the example of Jesus' compassion upon the crowds and the importance of the times when we follow his example to show compassion on one another. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday July 21st, the 9th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, Pastor Scott explores the story of the death of John the Baptist and the messy dynamics that led to his death. Likewise, he explores this in light of the attempted assassination on July 13th. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday July 14th, the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 6:1-13, Pastor Scott explores an odd story where Jesus is discounted within his hometown. This points towards a human tendency to remain stuck in the past, while God tends to invite us forward. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday July 7th, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 5:31-43, Pastor Scott explores the story of 2 miraculous healings as an example of Jesus' Care for the world, which we are called to emulate. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday June 30th, the 6th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 4:35-41, Pastor Scott explores the story of the disciples being overcome with fear as they are stuck in a boat in the middle of a storm at sea...all while Jesus is snoozing. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday June 23rd, the 5th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 4:26-34, Pastor Scott explores a couple of parables of Jesus describing the way that God grows the kingdom. This is the assigned gospel text for Sunday June 16th, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Genesis 3:8-15, but also expanded out to discuss Genesis 2-3 as a whole, Pastor Scott explores the story of God's interaction with humanity immediately after the Fall, and how it sheds light on human nature. This is the assigned text for Sunday June 9th, 2024, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Mark 2:23-3:6, Pastor Scott explores 2 events which happen on the Sabbath, in which Jesus challenges a rigid understanding of what is allowed. This is the assigned gospel for Sunday June 2nd, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost.

In this sermon, based on Romans 8:12-17 and John 3:1-17, Pastor Scott explores the idea of the Holy Trinity, one God in 3 persons, which is unbelievably confusing, and ultimately unknowable. What we do know is what God says about us. These are the assigned texts for Sunday May 26th, Holy Trinity Sunday.

In this sermon, based on Acts 2:1-21, Pastor Scott explores the story of Pentecost and the disruptive way that the Holy Spirit empowers the earliest church. This is the assigned text for Sunday May 19th, Pentecost Sunday.

In this sermon, based on Acts 1:1-11, Pastor Scott explores the story of the Ascension and the "what next" aspect for the disciples. This is based on Senior Recognition for our Graduates. Note that one of the Graduates is Pastor Scott's daughter, and he gets a touch emotional at the end of the sermon. This is the text for Sunday May 12th, Ascension Sunday and the 7th Sunday of Easter.