Sermon
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Love your enemies: Embracing mercy as a way of life
The enduring human tendency to hurt one another shows up time and time again. People in the Bible were not exempt from it and neither are we. But there are alternatives. There is a path that leads to life. Joseph’s choice to forgive his brothers and Jesus’ teaching to love enemies emphasize love as a…
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When Hope Requires Action
Jesus calls us to be people of hope as we not only receive hope but also share it with others. Especially after recent cuts to social services affecting vulnerable populations, people of faith are called into action to help those in need and become sources of hope.
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Focused on Jesus: Spiritual Spotting in a Jarring World
Life is full of a complex mix of ordinary, routine life and jarring chaos. Mary and Joseph were no strangers to both of these. How do we maintain a spiritual focus amid chaos that keeps us grounded in faith and connected to God’s love?
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The Call of Faith in the Public Square
Faith plays a vital role in addressing societal and political tensions, especially in divisive times. Words can comfort or challenge us, reminding us that faith calls for engagement with the world, not retreat from it. Amid political turmoil, the church is urged to confront issues like poverty, oppression, and discrimination with the gospel’s message of…
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Building Muscle Memory of the Soul: Living in God’s Promises
Can we “practice” faith? Can we build spiritual muscles? Using the metaphor of a sports team, we can see parallels to our faith lives. In both, there is teamwork, there are muscles (spiritual), and practice (in our faith lives, we call them spiritual practices). Isaiah 43 emphasizes that God’s message of “do not fear” is…
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Eureka! Sunday: Being Open to Discovery
The themes of curiosity and discovery through the story of Archimedes and the Magi. We cannot force revelation and discovery. God seeks to be revealed to all people, regardless of their backgrounds. How can we put ourselves in position discover for ourselves the wide and unconditional love of Jesus?
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Encountering Love and Being Changed at Christmas
Christmas Eve reminds us that true joy comes from acknowledging life’s struggles rather than pretending they don’t exist. Through the humble birth of Jesus in a messy stable, we are reminded that God embraces us as we are. We share God’s love with others, fostering peace and joy amidst life’s challenges.
Epicurious Lutheran 