Podcasts about elca

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Sun, June 8 2025• John 14:8-17 25-27 (The Promise of the Holy Spirit)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

Today's reading from Acts is odd. We heard that the disciples were gathered, and flames began dancing on their heads. Then, they begin speaking in non-native languages so that they could communicate with every devout Jewish person who was “living” in Jerusalem. And, I want direct our attention to the Greek word translated here as “living.” It has a specific meaning. It means “to have settled or been planted in a new place.” That is, these Jewish people were not born in Jerusalem, they didn't speak the native language, and they probably looked, acted, and engaged in different ways... The post Pentecost Sunday appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

Today, we had a special musical performance from Calvin Kadrofske on Marimba, as he played the song Restless written by Rich O'Meara at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

Names can be used to lift us up or to drag us down. In our Focus Text for this week Jesus says that, as the Good Shepherd, he calls his sheep by name and they know his voice. In Baptism we are given the name Child of God, it is a name that cannot be taken away, replaced, or forgotten. Knowing the care we put into naming our children how much more care must God take in naming you a Child of God and calling your name as we learn to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd!

• Pastor Karyn's message for: Sun, June 1 2025• Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 (The Alpha & the Omega)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

At some point, I lost heaven. I can't remember exactly when that was. Suddenly I reached into the void. The sky was gone. I continued to search for a while, a little deeper, between the folds - or on the other side? No. My sky, the little piece of the puzzle, sky blue with cloud white - had disappeared... The post Seventh Sunday of Easter appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

John 17:20-26; Pride Sunday; 7 Easter; June 1, 2025 Additional texts: Acts 16:16-34; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Rich Weingartner   Grace to you and peace from God our parent, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.   I'm scared.  We live in a scary time. When I went up to the UP to visit my parents and family for Easter, I brought my passport with me.  No real reason, just some fear that I might be in a situation where I'll have to try to prove that I'm a US citizen. I hear of friends traveling to foreign countries, some of them who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.  I fear that they won't be able to come back into our country. I'm afraid to leave the United States for concern that I'll be stopped at the border and end up being detained and not let back into our country.  It is an unsettling time for LGBTQIA+ or Queer people these days.  We hear constant attacks on people as things are said or laws are introduced or passed that try to declare our Queer siblings as “other” or to make it sound like there is something wrong with them.   I also know others are scared.  The queer community aren't the only ones being attacked and put down.  I know my Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community have been attacked for centuries in various ways. Our siblings of hispanic heritage are facing struggles and threats as well. Asian and Pacific Islanders as well. Immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, including the young men in our parish house. There are a lot of people who are apprehensive and concerned now - and for many this is just a continuation of decades or centuries of being treated like “others” and that they don't really belong and aren't valid as a human being.   However, God, through Jesus and the bible, tells us a different story.  A story that declares that we are all children of God and we can be proud of who God made us to be. A story of love that knows no bounds and never ends. Which brings us to our readings for today that show that God is always with us, even in times of trouble.   We start with the reading from Acts where we find Paul and Silas thrown in jail. While they may have been feeling scared and worried - they didn't show it by just sitting around and moping and blaming God for their troubles.  Instead, we find them praying and singing hymns and connecting with the other prisoners. In the midst of it all, they kept faithful to God. Then the earthquake happens. Since, at the time, if a guard lost prisoners, it was custom that he would pay for the loss with his life, the guard had assumed that everyone would have fled and thus was about to kill himself.  However, Paul and Silas kept faith and stayed where they were and saved the guard's life - not only physically but also spiritually through their witness to the power of God.  This serves not only as a reminder that God will never leave us, but also that we can serve as witnesses to the power and love of God just through who we are and doing what is right - doesn't take anything special - just through our actions and love they can know God's love.  Just like yesterday and the pride festival.  We may think we were just there at a booth, talking to people, and handing out items - but we were witnesses to the love of Christ through our actions of acceptance, welcome, and love, to the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies.   Then we move to the concluding verses of Revelation.  From verse 13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13) While this passage refers to the extremes of the beginning and the end; and the first and the last - we need to remember that God isn't just there at the extreme ends, but everywhere in between.  Just like all of creation, God isn't just at one point or another - God is everywhere in between.  Not just light and dark, but in all the shades in between - not just day and night but at sunrise and sunset, the dawn and twilight.  In all creatures that live in the waters, on the land, and in the sky - and all of those that live in multiple places. And thus God has created all of us - in our many different varied ways - there is no binary in creation - everything spans a wide range to create the beautiful diversity of God's creation - something to be proud of and celebrate.  God is ever present across all time, all places, and all creation - the entire Cosmos from the very beginning of creation until the very end.   And not only do we have this promise of God being ever present with us always, we are invited. As it says in Revelation 22:17 - all are invited to come to the Lord and His promises.  Everyone who is thirsty and wishes to take the water of life as a GIFT is invited to come. This is a great reminder that God wants us to be in God's presence and love - we are invited to receive the gift.  We do not earn it, we do not have to work for it - it is a gift, a most wondrous gift from God for all.   Then we turn to today's Gospel from John.  When I was preparing and first read the Gospel for today - the very first thing I noticed was how this passage starts. It wasn't the words that I noticed - it was that it started with a quotation mark. Now, you'll notice that in the reading we used in our service, a helpful prompt is added at the beginning in brackets to guide the reader, but in the Bible that prompt isn't there. Since I didn't have that prompt and the passage starts with a quotation mark, I knew we were joining in, right in the middle of something, so I backed up to get the context.  And then I also remembered this is the time of the church year I tend to  get confused.   Just a few weeks ago we experienced the passion story and then the joyful Easter Resurrection.  In fact, we are still in the season of Easter.  However, for our Gospel readings for a few weeks, we have jumped back in time to hear stories from Jesus and his disciples during Jesus' last evening with them at the last supper. So that is where we are with today's Gospel.  Jesus is giving his farewell speech and then praying for his disciples.  That is where today's Gospel is from - part of the prayer Jesus shared with his disciples that evening.   While Jesus is praying with and for his disciples, we find that the prayer isn't just for his disciples, as this part of the prayer starts with “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word”.   The “behalf of these” is referring to the disciples and “behalf of those” is referring to us, today, and past and future.  All of us who believe. You and me and all of God's beloved. Take a moment and let that sink in - Jesus around 2000 years ago was praying for you and me, everyone alive today, and in the past and in the future. I don't know about you, but I find it pretty awesome and also comforting to know that Jesus was praying for all of us - so long ago.  In times when we are often scared and facing uncertainty it certainly is a good reminder to know that Jesus and God are on our side and that we are not alone.   So, yes, it is awesome that Jesus is praying for us - but what did he pray for? He prays that we all may be one. Not only that we are one together with each other, but that also we are one together with Christ. We live in a world that wants to label us and put us in many different categories to separate us. However, that is completely opposite of what God wants, which is for all of us to be one in Christ.  We have been given God's glory so that we can all be together as one.   While we need to celebrate and take pride in being called together as one in Christ Jesus - we are also given some work to do in this prayer - a reason for us all being called together as one.  We are called to act together so that the world, through us, might believe that Jesus was sent from God. Not only to believe that Jesus is God's son, but that God loved the entire cosmos so much that God sent Jesus for us, so that we may experience the grace, love, and forgiveness of God - given to us as a gift.  It is this unconditional grace, love, and forgiveness that we are called to share with the world - just like we did yesterday at the pride festival.   So, during Pride month, and always, today's readings remind us we are never alone - no matter what we are going through or who we are.  We are not alone for two reasons.  First, we, through the examples of so many stories in the Bible, are not alone because we live in community with each other. God clearly sets an example that we are meant to be in community with each other (and with the entire creation) to support and build up each other - to be one together with each other.  Not to divide and label, but to support and uplift each other.   Second, we are not alone because we have been promised and reminded time and time again that God is always with us.  God is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.  And more importantly God is also everything in between.  God never ends - and is always with us - and loves all of us exactly for who we are - children of God created in God's image. Or in the words of a hymn.   Have good cheer, little flock; have good cheer, little flock, for the Father will keep you in his love forever; have good cheer, little flock!   May we all learn from the example and prayer of Jesus and work to be united as one with each other and with God and Jesus Christ.  Not just to be with each other but also to share God's love with all of creation.  From the waters and sky to the grass, trees, and plants, to all the animals that live in the water, on land, or in the sky. And to all of God's beloved children - every one of the LGBTQIA+ community, all our BIPOC siblings, people with every different ability, immigrants seeking safety and shelter, those who are hungry, everyone, especially those that society often shuns, calls an “other” or “less than”, and pushes to the margins. Through our words and actions, we can help bring this unity to creation, so we all can be one in Christ.   We do this through the help of God who is always coming to us, every day, not just at the end of times. As it says in Revelation 22:20-21 “‘Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.”  and let the entire church say “AMEN!”.

Today we had a special musical performance from members of the Faith Bell Choir, Brenda Kopf,  Elaine Harrison, Ann Mayer, and Addie Thompson as they played How Firm A Foundation at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

Righteousness is often viewed as a religious buzzword that has lost its meaning in overuse. This week's Focus Text mentions the Crown of Righteousness, so what does that mean?! Pastor Chad invites us to consider it a relational word. When we take time to listen to our neighbor's story, to walk with them, to love them as God loves us, we have found the kind of righteousness God seeks in us. When we build a relationship that is not transactional, expecting something from our neighbor, we will find we can Flourish!

Can your church pay the bills and follow God's call with integrity? In this episode, Loren talks with stewardship educator and sustainability strategist Grace Duddy Pomroy about how churches can embrace bold, faithful financial models without compromising their mission. Grace offers insights drawn from her national research and latest book on reimagining how churches fund ministry—from sliding-scale rentals to community-rooted partnerships. Topics Explored: Why your mission must come before your money The spiritual practices that sustain long-term financial change How to rethink rent, real costs, and what generosity really looks like Why churches need to grieve the past to make room for the future A six-part “rocket ship” model for launching sustainable ideas The myth of quick fixes—and the value of faithful experimentation   Grace Duddy Pomroy is the Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary. She's a lay, millennial stewardship leader, speaker, and financial educator based in Allyn, WA. She is the co-author of the stewardship book, Embracing Stewardship: How to Put Stewardship at the Heart of Your Congregation's Life, as well as author of the free 2013 ELCA stewardship resource, “Stewards of God's Love.” Her latest book, Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry, was just released September 2024. Grace is also a consultant with Relèven, a charitable organization that lovingly preserves, restores, and repurposes under-utilized churches into community hubs and affordable housing.   Mentioned Resources:

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Sun, May 25 2025• Revelation 21:10, 21:22–22:5 (The River of Life)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

Year C – Fourth Sunday in Easter – May 25, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd                 John 14:23-29   Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen savior, Jesus Christ, who gives us his peace. Amen. *** If you haven't already heard… we elected a new bishop this past week at our synod assembly. Bishop-elect Julie Schneider-Thomas comes from the outskirts of the Grand Rapids area, where she served two congregations that are in a formal paired relationship. In church lingo… we call that a 2-point, and she has been with them for nearly 30 years. As excited as the assembly was that the Holy Spirit was calling us into something new… there were those for whom Pr Julie's election was a cause for grieving… a cause for troubled hearts. Among them, of course, are our outgoing bishop, Criag Satterlee, and those who serve on his staff, Pr Chrisy Bright and Pr Kjersten Sullivan… also Bp. Satterlee's wife and daughter. The Holy Spirit is now calling all of them forward into something new, but to what… they don't yet know. It's understandably disorienting. And at the end of Bishop-elect Julie's acceptance speech, she left the podium… but then came running back to say one last thing… She said she saw the wide eyes of her people… people from not only one congregation, but from two… who just realized they have lost their pastor… their leader and shepherd… of 30 years. She saw their wide, troubled eyes… and her heart just broke. I felt that ache with her. In just a few short months, I have fallen deeply in love with this congregation… and with joy in my heart, I'm excited to share my life with you for years to come… to deepen our relationship over the gift of time. And so, I can only imagine what they all must have felt in that moment… The thrill of hope for where a new leader might guide our synod… a leader they know and love… up against the terrible ache of loss, knowing that their stability… and the patterns of life in those congregations are suddenly upended. The truth is… life could change for any of us in a moment's notice… disorienting us… and challenging what we thought we knew. Leaving our hearts… troubled, and afraid. And into this disorientation, Jesus arrives with a word of peace. Do not let your hearts be troubled, he says… and do not be afraid. He tells them that yes, he is leaving them… but he is not leaving them alone. So be at peace… Jesus is going back to the Father, but we have the Holy Spirit… our advocate… our God with us. The Holy Spirit is with us always, to guide us… and to remind us of what Jesus taught us… to pour God's love into us so we can share that love with the world. The Holy Spirit is with us… to ease our troubled hearts… and to give us… peace. Jesus tells his disciples this before his death and resurrection… This particular passage takes place after their last supper… after Judas has betrayed Jesus and gone out into the night… and after Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him… He's telling them this now… so that when the moment comes, they will remember his words. He's trying to prepare them as best he can for what is to come… Imploring them to remember… remember that when you feel troubled… when you are afraid… I am still with you. Our advocate… God's Holy Spirit… is still with us… always with us. These words are for us, as well… remember what Jesus promised us… we will never be abandoned. *** Our election for bishop went all the way to the fifth and final ballot… the field narrowing with each round. And before each round of voting… after passing out the ballots, we prayed together as an assembly. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to be present in our choice, and we breathed in that breath of God around us… The intention of this prayer was not to call the Holy Spirit to us… we were not imploring the Holy Spirit to come and be by our side. This prayer was for us… it was for our understanding… it was so that WE would become aware of the presence of God… that was already there. This prayer… was to help us remember Jesus' promise. This prayer was intended to help us open our hearts to God in the Spirit… our Advocate… who is with us always. …our Christ, by our side… giving us peace… not as the world gives, but as Jesus gives… the peace that comes from remembering Jesus's promise that we would never be abandoned by God. It was only after giving thanks for the Spirit of God with us, that we cast each vote. And so, while the results mean there are changes ahead… we know that Christ is with us through them all. *** There was another story I wanted to share with you today… another example of how present the Spirit of God is with us in our troubling, disorienting moments. …those moments when we might be tempted to feel that God has abandoned us. This happened just a couple of days ago… and I want to start by saying that no one was hurt… But my friend and colleague, Pastor Kara of Trinity Lutheran in Hillsdale, lost her home, her camper, and her husband's truck in a fire on Thursday. Like I said, everyone is ok… unharmed… physically, at least, including their dog… no one was home at the time. But their property is a total loss. And just as Rich recently experienced after the storms, they have been showered with offers to help in whatever way they might need. And to everyone, she has the same response… She is beyond thankful that no one was hurt, and they have insurance. She is shocked, for sure… no one expects this… but she is absolutely grounded by Christ's peace and presence. So, her request to everyone who offers is that they refocus their intentions toward the youth and young adults of our synod. You see… at the assembly, after we elected the new bishop, we also had to pass the new budget. The synod council put forward a budget that cut the amounts allocated for nearly all of our ministries, including support for the synod Youth & Young Adult Table, our Campus Ministries, and Living Water Ministries. Pastor Kara had moved for an addendum to the budget to reinstate the financial support for our youth and young adult ministry programs. She argued that we cannot claim the importance of youth and young adults in our church while also cutting our support for them. After much debate, the addendum passed… which reinstated the $14,000 cut from the lines supporting youth and young adult ministries… It was… a leap of faith… Because it came without any recent historical pattern of mission support from congregations to justify that extra spending. She was pretty much on edge after pushing the synod into possible debt. Still, Pastor Kara knew the Holy Spirit was with us in that room, guiding our decisions and moving our hearts toward God's will. She trusted that when we follow God's call, God will provide. She could not have known, however, that in less than a week, her faith in God's provision would be put to the test. But I hear her… I hear the ache in her voice. She pushed for the assembly to do the right thing, even before knowing how we would accomplish it. She knew that her heart was troubled, but that the Spirit of Christ was with us… So, when facing a life-altering event… the kind of event that might leave one feeling abandoned… her faith and her resolve became stronger. They are unharmed, and they will recover… and so she is redirecting all the attention back toward the movement of the Holy Spirit at the assembly. And she is at peace. We'll be talking more about this call to support youth and young adult ministries in the months to come… but as we have these conversations, I want you to remember… Remember Jesus' words to us… his promise… Jesus said to his disciples… as he says to us… Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Christ is with us always, through good times and challenging times… in happy times and in sorrow. The promise of Jesus is that God's Spirit is with us always, surrounding us with peace, and equipping us for the work ahead. So we will not let our hearts be troubled… and we will not be afraid. Amen.

Today's gospel is part of a longer conversation between Jesus and his disciples known as Jesus' “farewell discourse.” This final conversation began when Jesus washed his disciples' feet, and it continued with last Sunday's reading sharing Jesus' new commandment to love one another. Today, Judas (and not the Judas most people know but the other one) asked Jesus for clarification... The post Sixth Sunday of Easter appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

• Pastor Karyn's message for Wed., May 21 2025• Acts 15:1-18 (The council at Jerusalem)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 3• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us for worship! 1stlu.org/worship

Is your Jesus making your sons more radical—or more compassionate? In this scorching conversation, Frank Schaeffer sits down with Rev. Angela Denker to unpack her explosive new book Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood. From Lutheran pulpits to CNN, Denker has tracked how faith, fear, and masculinity are being fused in dangerous ways. This episode exposes how American Christianity is grooming boys for culture war—and what real spiritual courage looks like instead._____LINKShttps://angeladenker.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/denkerangela/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmKIdMPvTt9uf3tlGBLFnxQhttps://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/it-has-to-be-read-red-state-christians-by-rev-angela-denker_____I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said. Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth. Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. Support the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of Fall In Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy. Learn more at https://www.lovechildrenplanet.comFollow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube. https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.tiktok.com/@frank_schaefferhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTube In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer Podcast

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Sun, May 18 2025• Revelation 21:1-6 (The new heaven & the new earth)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

This is a special musical performance of True Light by the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir with a solo  by Chris Lewis at Faith Lutheran Church of Okemos, Michigan.

Year C – Fourth Sunday in Easter – May 18, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd                 John 13:31-35; Acts 11:1-18   Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen savior, Jesus Christ, who commands us to love more widely than we can imagine. Amen. *** What an incredible day of celebration! So beautiful and fun! And yet… some of us are still reeling from that storm that crossed our state on Thursday night and into Friday. There's been damage here in our community, but also extensively across the state. Recovery and repair efforts are underway… and in Christ's love, we hold those most affected in the embrace and prayers of our community… helping where we can through our prayers… and our actions. We do this… because it's who we are as disciples of Jesus… we love our neighbors as Christ loves us… and sometimes that love looks like cutting up fallen trees and cleaning up broken glass. Life is better for everyone when we let our love for others guide us… And that, too, is worth celebrating. So, this is, indeed, a Celebration Sunday! And the Holy Spirit has gifted us with some beautiful scripture to accompany our celebration. We hear in our Gospel today, our Lord Jesus, commanding us to love each other as Christ loves us. If you were here on Maundy Thursday, you would have heard this text then as well. It's very important, and so we hear it again. Jesus said to us… Love one another as I have loved you. Let your love for others be a defining characteristic of who you are… be known for it… and let your radically abundant love identify you as one of my disciples. And know that the love you have does not originate with you… it comes from Christ and flows through you… This is how we love. *** And from Acts, we have an important vision… Peter is deep in prayer while he's waiting for lunch… he's hungry… And he sees a large sheet being lowered in front of him, and on it, he sees all manner of animals that, as a Jewish man, he would have been prohibited from eating because it would have rendered him unclean. Along with the vision comes a voice from God telling him to kill and eat… Peter would have been horrified… maybe even repulsed… because he had been taught all his life that these animals were not for eating… they were common… profane. But the voice insisted… and said that what God has made clean, he must not call profane. God is doing a new thing here. And then, the Holy Spirit tells him to go to the home of a Roman centurion – a commander in the Roman army who was also a follower of Jesus – but… this man was a Gentile. The Jewish people kept themselves apart and would have avoided mixing with the Gentiles…   And even those who followed Jesus… well, they thought they had something of a special club, exclusive to those who also follow Jewish law. …they certainly would not have accepted an invitation to a meal in the home of a Roman for many reasons, but foremost, there would have been no way to confirm that it was in accordance with their dietary rules. So… trusting in the Holy Spirit… Peter goes to Cornelius' home, where he learns that he, too, was visited by God and told to invite Peter to come to his home… to hear what Peter could teach him. Peter begins to speak… to share the good news… and he witnesses the Holy Spirit fall upon this Gentile and his household And in that moment, Peter understood that God shows no partiality, and that the gift of this life with Christ… the saving love and grace that is Christ's alone to give… is meant for all people. It certainly seems… that God is doing a new thing. But our passage is actually from Peter's retelling of these incredible events… he is recounting the story for the others because they are upset with him for going. They are criticizing him for going to Cornelius' home and eating with him… he is being called forward to explain why he would do such an unlawful thing. And we can hardly blame them… their rules and way of life, given to them by God, have governed their lives for thousands of years. They are known to others by these rules. And yet… it was clear that God is doing a new thing. God is not saying that the former rules were bad, or wrong… Only that it is time for something new… It's time to eliminate the exclusivity of their religious club and accept people whom they would not have previously accepted. It's time to break down the barriers and welcome all… to allow all their different cultures and backgrounds to become part of the beautiful tapestry of life that belongs to Jesus Christ… To celebrate… that there is no one beyond God's love, and therefore no one should be excluded from our love. *** Do we think this was easy for them to do? Absolutely not!! These folks were human… and they were pretty set in their ways… and just like us today, they had prejudices and aversions… There's a reason we are still talking about Jesus's command to love others as Christ loves them… We still struggle… we still put up barriers around ourselves to keep out those who are different… those who will disrupt our ways. We push back against God's call to open our hearts, our minds, and our communities to those who are different… different habits, different foods, different ages… different ways of worship… anything… Difference is disruptive, and we like things to be the same… set… calm. But God is always making things new… all around us, God is always renewing us … always calling upon us to love more… and to welcome those who are not already in the room… to not just widen our boundaries around who we love but to eliminate the boundaries altogether. …because we are called to love as Christ loves us, and we will never meet another person whom God does not love. We come together as a community of faith, because we seek to know Jesus… to follow Jesus and to conform ourselves to the ways of Jesus… And so we must love like Jesus. We must love others and welcome others in such a radical way that we become known for our love… Love in such a way that we can overcome the discomfort of difference… Love in such an open way that we leave room in our hearts to be surprised by the gift that the Holy Spirit has for us in our newfound relationships. Loving this way will change you… it will renew you… every day *** Peter did not insist that Cornelius and his household convert to Judaism before agreeing to meet with him… before agreeing to include them in the Way of Christ. No… Peter saw that God was including Cornelius and his household exactly as they were… and so very wisely, Peter observed… who am I, that I could hinder God? Who are we… that we could hinder God? When we exclude other people because they aren't like us… we cause harm… We hurt those we have excluded… but we also harm our own hearts by rejecting the gift of relationship that is offered through Christ's command to be loving and inclusive. And so, we love in such a way that leaves room for others to become the fullest, most beautiful version of themselves… And in so doing, we are also made new… drawn closer to the heart of Christ… closer to the love that Christ has for all the world. And we give our thanks and praise… for in our becoming new… in our blooming… our God is glorified. This is truly something we can celebrate today! *** In a short while, Abby, Isaak, Kara, and Maddie will publicly affirm their baptismal promises. They are proclaiming that they choose to continue in their journey with Christ… the journey that began with their baptism. But… then what… what does that really mean? Well, it means… that you will be known for your love… for the way you include those who are excluded… …for the way you lift others up so they can see themselves, and love themselves, as Christ sees and loves them… It means that you will let the love of Christ shine through you… that you'll be Christ's light in the darkness, and no darkness will overcome it. It means that by this love, you and all around you will know that you belong to Jesus, and that every day, Jesus is doing a new thing… through you. Do I think this will always be easy? Nope… it won't… But that's why we come back together again and again, to receive Christ's forgiveness and grace, and be renewed by Christ's love through all these folks around you. …We come together to remember how much we are loved… to see ourselves as God sees us, and allow God's vision to work in us… so we, too, can become the fullest, most beautiful version of ourselves. Because the truth is… God is always doing a new thing… making all things new, including you. That's definitely something to celebrate today! Amen.

• Pastor Stanton's message for Wed., May 14 2025• Acts 8:26-39 (Philip & the Ethiopian eunuch)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 3• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us for worship! 1stlu.org/worship

In this heartfelt episode of Tendrils of Grief, we welcome Jillene Gallatin, whose journey through grief began at the tender age of 14 when she lost her mother to suicide. At a time when grief resources were scarce—especially for teenagers—Jillene was left to navigate unimaginable loss on her own. That life-altering experience became the catalyst for her lifelong dedication to grief advocacy and mental wellness. Now an ordained pastor in the ELCA since 2001, Jillene brings deep spiritual insight and compassion to her work as a certified 300-hour yoga teacher specializing in Grief Yoga and as a Grief, Loss, and End of Life Coach. She's on a mission to build supportive communities that honor emotional healing and break the silence around grief and mental health. Join us as Jillene shares her story, her tools for healing, and her unwavering commitment to helping others move forward in grief with grace, support, and connection. Episode Highlights Teen grief support Mother loss to suicide Grief yoga for healing Grief and mental wellness End of life coach ELCA ordained pastor Suicide survivor stories Healing from parental suicide Faith-based grief healing Yoga for emotional release Grief support for teens Holistic grief recovery Navigating childhood trauma Grief coaching and yoga therapy Emotional healing through movement Holistic Approaches to Grief Recovery Faith and Spirituality in Mental Wellness Yoga as a Tool for Processing Grief Teenage Grief and Emotional Development Healing Generational Trauma Suicide Prevention Through Storytelling Navigating Parental Loss in Adolescence Creating Safe Spaces for Grief Conversations End-of-Life Coaching as Emotional Support Trauma-Informed Faith-Based Counseling Connect with Jillene Gallatin website  www.groundedloveforgrief.comonleyinc/ Did you enjoy today's episode?   Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email  susan@tendrilsofgrief.com   Don't forget to visit Tendrils Of Grief  website and join for upcoming Webinars, Podcasts Updates and Group Coaching.   Get involve and share your thoughts and experiences in our online community   Tendrils of Grief-Survivor of Loss   To subscribe and review use one links of the links below  Amazon Apple Spotify Audacy Deezer Podcast Addict Pandora Rephonic Tune In  Connect with me Instagram: @Sue_ways Facebook:@ susan.ways Email @susan@tendrilsofgrief.com  Let me hear your thoughts!

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Sun, May 11 2025• Revelation 7:9-17 (God will wipe away every tear)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

The most famous shepherd in Chicago, or the States or the world is LEO. However even Leaders like Presidents are shepherds. At any rate, in the spirit of antiquity and in the spirit of the Bible, they can be described as a shepherd. Because in ancient times, leaders of states were compared to shepherds, people in higher positions who had to lead others... The post Fourth Sunday of Easter appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

This is a special musical performance of All My Days by the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir with a duet by Ryan and Addie Thompson of Faith Lutheran Church of Okemos, Michigan.

• Pastor Karyn's message for Wed., May 7 2025• Acts 6:1-11, 7:2a, 51-54, 57-60 (The story of Stephen)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 3• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us for worship! 1stlu.org/worship

• Pastor Karyn's message for: Sun, May 4 2025• Revelation 5:11-14 (Worthy is the Lamb)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

This is a special musical performance of River in Judea by the Faith Bells of Faith Lutheran Church of Okemos, Michigan.

Today at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan Nancy by Emmanuel Sejourne was performed by Calvin Kadrofske

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Rev. Jason S. Glombicki May 4, 2025 Change is at the center of today's gospel reading, and … change is challenging. Change is hard because it almost always involves loss, uncertainty, and disruption – even when it's for the better. But not all change is the same. In fact, scholars note that there are two different types of change – technical change and adaptive change. Technical changes are easy solutions that often have apparent solutions. While […] The post Third Sunday of Easter appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

Year C – Third Sunday in Easter – May 4, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd                 John 21:1-19; Acts 9:1-20 Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen savior, Jesus Christ, who knows we are not perfect, and yet still calls us daily to follow. Amen. *** I love a good redemption story. A classic tale of an evil villain… or even… a more relatable character who has unfortunately made terrible choices… They recognize the error of their ways, and their life is transformed. My top guy is probably Ebenezer Scrooge… and yes, I'm talking about A Christmas Carol …during the Easter season… A few years ago, a movie called Spirited came out… a story with Ebenezer Scrooge working away in the afterlife to bring such a transformation to others who have gone astray. He was paying it forward, if you will Delightfully funny movie… and it raised a good question… when someone has seen the error of their ways, and changed their behavior… do they change permanently? … does that transformed life… stick around? Everything is set right… the book ends or the credits roll… but would Ebenezer still have his generous Christmas spirit when Easter came around? …what happens six months later when life throws some challenges… what happens when that moment of realization and commitment to change is a faded memory… and we fall back into old habits? These stories of redemption tend to hook our imagination… because they are so relatable… so human. All of us have made mistakes… every single one of us has done things we later wish we had done differently… …the things we could have said in a kinder way… the times we wish we had stopped to help instead of tucking our head and walking by. We need to believe that there is hope for us… if Ebenezer can turn his life around… so can we. If Jesus still calls Peter to follow him… still calls Peter into discipleship after how badly he messed up… then perhaps Jesus is still calling us. Peter followed Jesus for three years… he pledged his life to Jesus… He tried to give his life defending Jesus in the garden when he drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's slave. And yet… only a short while later… around that charcoal fire outside the courtyard of the high priest… when it seemed they had lost… Peter denied ever having known Jesus… Three times he said… I do not know the man. And then the cock crowed… and Peter realized what just happened… and that Jesus knew he would fail him… I can only imagine how deeply that must have gutted Peter. And I bet seeing Jesus appear to them in the locked room only made it worse… it would have only highlighted Peter's lack of faith… He was wrong… they had not lost… and so his shame at his three-fold denial… would have been bone-deep. Can anyone really blame him for going fishing? But then… just as Jesus found him three years ago… Jesus finds him again. Seated at a charcoal fire… Jesus is there, cooking them breakfast. This scene… I love it. This is the Jesus I know… not a distant, unattached God in the sky watching over us… but… my Lord and my God, meeting me in the ordinary days of my life. Jesus… meeting me in the moments when I feel like the world has turned upside down. Jesus… saying to me… come and sit… let's share a meal. Things have gone a bit sideways for you… I know… but come… and let me remind you of my love. And how do they know that it's Jesus? …because of the abundance! …the great haul of fish… the grace upon grace. Around that charcoal fire on the beach, Jesus offers Peter another chance… Peter, do you love me… Yes, Lord… Then feed my lambs. Peter, do you love me… Yes, Lord… Then tend my sheep. Peter, do you love me… Yes, Lord, I love you… you know everything, and you know that I love you… Then feed my sheep… and follow me. The crucified and risen Jesus Christ tells Peter… and tells us… I've already taken into account your shortcomings… and still, I am calling you… come, and follow me. Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly… so don't think for a minute that Jesus can't work with what you've got. Just consider what Jesus has already done… In the great reversal of death's power, Jesus has transformed the dreadful cross and tomb into a sign of forgiveness and love… a sign of redemption… Jesus transforms Peter, a three-fold deserter… into a shepherd of Christ's people. And shortly after, Jesus transforms Saul, a murderous persecutor… into a champion for the Way of Christ. Jesus knows our failings… and still loves us… forgives us… and calls us to follow… to put that love into action, and to feed and tend his sheep… the people of the world whom God so loves. Jesus calls us into a transformed and joyous life… life with our Lord and our God by our side And yet… even after encountering Jesus in our lives… we sometimes drift away… we might pull away from Jesus and drift back into our old ways. …or perhaps… we may even admit that we are a little afraid of what the power of a new life with the risen Christ might mean… and so we deny we ever knew him. It's that question that the movie Spirited asked… what happens down the road… is the transformation lasting and permanent? Is Ebenezer still as generous at Easter as he was on Christmas Day? If it were only up to us and our own willpower, then I'd say no… we cannot secure our own redemption… the kind that leads to true transformation. But fortunately… our redemption is not from within us… it comes from the crucified and risen Jesus. Jesus, who knows our faults and our failings, and calls us anyway to follow him daily… Jesus calls us to receive grace upon grace…. and allow the redemptive power of a living Christ transform our lives with love… to transform us anew, each and every day. Our redemption is permanent… a once-and-done experience… we are forgiven and redeemed by the grace of the risen Jesus Christ… But our life with Jesus… our encounters with Christ… that is not one-and-done. Our experience of meeting Jesus in our ordinary… our good days and our bad… of sharing a meal… that is an ongoing experience. An ongoing relationship, rooted in love and grace… a relationship that deepens and matures over time… It's a relationship that calls to you every single day, even after we may have drifted away… even after we have made mistakes. So come and have some breakfast with Jesus… and receive Christ's transformational love for you… It is… the best redemption story there is. Amen.

Join us to celebrate Easter!

• Pastor Karyn's message for: Sun, Apr. 27 2025• Revelation 1:4-8 (I am the Alpha and Omega)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Vicar Kornelius Koppel April 27, 2025 Thomas walked slowly through the streets. His eyes were fixed on the ground and his thoughts kept circling back to the events of the last few days. Thomas was sad. But he was also anxious and disappointed. This was not how he had imagined it would be. It had all started so well. They had found him, the Messiah, Jesus, the Savior. But now he was dead. Thomas was sad. […] The post Second Sunday of Easter appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

The Texas Legislature is now entering the final third when bills make it to the floor for a vote or begin to die. Last week, Bee Moorhead joined the program to talk about the House passing the Voucher bill, and it seemed like immediately after, we began to see a TON of bad bills start to move... and a few good ones.    One of the issue areas that was particularly in focus this week has been the return of anti-trans legislation, so we are going to welcome to the program for the first time, Texas Impact's Policy Consultant, Rev. Keats Miles Wallace, an ELCA pastor and staff member for Texas Impact's LGBT Rights Issue Champion team to talk to us about both the policy issues in that space, but also about the importance of people of faith engaging on these bills.    Join an Issue Team on the Legislative Action Center page on our website.

• Pastor Stanton's message for Wed., Apr. 23 2025• Luke 24:1-12 (The Resurrection of Jesus)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 3• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us for worship! 1stlu.org/worship

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Easter Sun, Apr. 20 2025• Luke 24:1-12 (The Resurrection of Jesus)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Vicar Kornelius Koppel April 19, 2025 Listen to Vicar Kornelius’ sermon here! The post The Easter Vigil appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Rev. Jason S. Glombicki April 20, 2025 On a recent family trip, I visited a swamp with my partner and my cousin. At this sanctuary, we got a booklet about all the different types of plants and animals that we might see. After flipping through it, I really wanted to see the grey polypody fern. So, we set out on the 2.5-mile boardwalk above the swamp (thank God) and went to find alligators, turtles, air plants, […] The post Easter Sunday appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Rev. Jason S. Glombicki April 18, 2025 We gather tonight in a baren place. The lights are low, the altar is stripped, and the baptismal font is no longer visible. As Pastor Tim Brown puts it, tonight, we sit in a darkened tomb. We heard the story of that fateful night, a story that we know all too well; and not only because we've heard it every year, but also because we've lived it. This is […] The post Good Friday appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Vicar Kornelius Koppel April 17, 2025 I’m not worth it, I messed up my life. I had enough chances. A patient said this to me last year at Mount Sinai Hospital. I was doing my Clinical Pastoral Education, and doing my Chaplaincy rounds on behavioral and Detox Unit. He was alone in his Room and in the darkness. He was not really wanting to talk to me, or to anyone, but i sat on a little […] The post Maundy Thursday appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

• Pastor Kathryn Thompson's message for: Tuesday, Apr. 15 2025• John 12:20-36 (God's Uniting Love)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Sun, Apr. 13 2025• Luke 19:28-40 (Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

• Bishop Malpica's message for: Mon, Apr. 14 2025• John 12:1-11 (Mary Anoints Jesus)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

In this second installment of our conversation with Pastor Erik Janke of May River Lutheran Church, we go deeper into the sacramental life of the Lutheran Church—exploring what Lutherans believe about communion, baptism, and the authority of Scripture.Pastor Jeff and Pastor Erik unpack some of the differences between the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and other branches of Lutheranism, including the ELCA and Missouri Synod, and why staying grounded in God's Word is at the heart of it all.

Pastor Rojas leads the final study on Seminex. If you were edified by this recording, please share it with others, leave a review and a comment on ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or any podcasting platform to help others find the faithful preaching of Holy Scripture. ___________________Subscribe & Share:​ Apple Podcasts: Christ For You​ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0q7o8mzLFcEBBVnrYBKYWx?si=UjpbczgJTtWPMG-_MgTSnQ​ Website: https://www.zionwg.org/podcastStay Connected:​ Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org​ Website: ZionWG.org

Wicker Park Lutheran Church The Passion Reading April 13, 2025 Listen along to the Passion Reading here! The post Palm/Passion Sunday appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

• Pastor Stanton's message for Wed., Apr. 9 2025• Psalm 51• Narrative Lectionary: Year 3• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us for worship! 1stlu.org/worship

• Pastor Karyn's message for: Sun, Apr. 6 2025• John 12:1-8 (Mary anoints Jesus)• Revised Common Lectionary: Year C• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

How do WE show your love to Jesus? How do YOU thank him for redeeming you? If everyone were to answer one after the other, there would certainly be a colorful bouquet of ways in which you can show your love for Jesus: by singing hymns, through charity, through monetary donations, prayers, worshipping. And if we study and research the Gospels for further possibilities, this bouquet would become even larger and more colorful... The post Fifth Sunday in Lent appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

• Pastor Karyn's message for Wed., Apr. 2 2025• Psalm 51 (a broken and contrite heart)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 3• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us for worship! 1stlu.org/worship