Tag: blessed

For All the Saints

November 2, 2025

Jerry Buegler.  Elmer Buegler.  Gertrude Buegler.  Grace Moody.  Elliott Moody.  Lyle Tjosaas.  Carol Tjosaas.  Phillip Moody.  Charles Moody.  Jim Campbell.  Kimberly Devine-Johnson.  Tom Hunstad.  Matthias Meester.  Robert Roubik.   These are my names.  The names of people, precious to me, who over the years I have lost.  These are my names. You have your names.  Your own list of people that you have known and loved, and who have died in faith.  When … More For All the Saints

Pick it Up

July 13, 2025

Welcome to “Campfire Stories,” our summer sermon series.  I want to think together about the power…and the importance…of stories for just a moment.  Stories are central to who we are.  Stories teach us important lessons…the stories we remember…the stories we tell…they say something about who we are as a people…they say something about our hearts.   I have always … More Pick it Up

When It Is Hard to Love

February 23, 2025

At the end of last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus seemed to be on the verge of starting a social revolution.  He had just said, “Blessed are you who are poor, hungry, sorrowful and despised,” and then “Woe to you who are rich, fat, happy, and famous.”  To the crowd who was listening, most of whom were poor…this … More When It Is Hard to Love

You Are a Blessing

December 1, 2024

Pastor Alan Sherouse writes a story about preparing for Christmas with his children.  He wanted his kids to understand the real meaning of Christmas.  So, one night, in the middle of December, he sat down at the kitchen table with his youngest child, and they began to assemble a cardboard cutout nativity scene:  a stable, a manger, Mary and Joseph, … More You Are a Blessing

Fill the Lamps

November 12, 2023

In our Old Testament reading for today, Joshua, the son of Nun, the successor of Moses, the weary warrior, stands before the people of Shechem with a Word from the Lord.  He clears his throat, cups his hands, and says in a voice loud enough for all to hear, “Thus says the Lord, the God of … More Fill the Lamps

Crossing Borders

January 29, 2023

Have you ever traveled somewhere new…somewhere different… maybe somewhere outside of your comfort zone?   In 2015, I traveled to Wittenburg, Germany with a group of Lutheran pastors to experience the sites of Martin Luther and the reformation.  Being there was amazing.  The history…the architecture…the culture…I loved it.   But at the same time, I felt, a lot, … More Crossing Borders