St. Luke’s Supper – Saturday February 20
Lord of Life will be hosting suppers downtown at St. Luke’s on Saturday February 20th and on Saturday April 17th. St. Luke’s provides a Saturday evening meal each week for those in need. Anyone is welcome. If you would like to be a part of the team to provide dinner, please mark your calendar. There will be a signup sheet in the Narthex in February. If you have any questions about being a team member, please call Cathy Fuchs at 583-1295. (Just an FYI, this team is separate from the 7th and 8th grade Confirmands.)
Posted in News.
The book of faith committee will be offering a study on Proverbs, one of the wisdom books of the Bible. We will be starting during the adult Sunday school time on February 28th, March 7, 14, and possibly more. An online option will be offered as well.
For more information or questions email br.bill.elca@gmail.com
or call 599-2383.
Br. Bill Nybeck
Posted in News.
Text: Luke 4:21-30 January 31, 2010 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
A few of you are old enough to remember what was called a record player. There was a company called RCA and they used the image of a dog sitting attentively next to a record player with the caption “His master’s voice.” The idea was that the dog was tuning out everything else and giving all of his attention to that one thing, listening to the voice of his master.
Jesus begins his ministry and clearly ignores the voice of the people. Instead he focuses solely on God’s voice, “he passed though the midst of them and went on his way.” As you go on your way, what voice gets your attention?
Certainly the voice of Jesus got the people’s attention. He had read the words from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor….and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He rolls up the scroll and says, Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Epiphany, Luke 4:21-30, Sermons.
Text: John 2:1-11 Second Sunday after Epiphany January 17, 2010
Years ago Johnny Carson interviewed an 8 year old boy who was a hero for rescuing two friends in a coalmine. It was apparent the boy was a Christian so he asked if he went to Sunday School. “Well, what are you learning?” “Last week our lesson was about Jesus going to a wedding and turning water into wine.” You can imagine Carson’s face as the audience roared. “What did you learn from that story?” The boy hesitated, “If you’re going to have a wedding, make sure you invite Jesus.” What do you learn from this story?
The first thing we learn is that God shows up. This gospel of John has Jesus springing into action at, of all places, a wedding.
You can imagine the attention he got, a 30 year old bachelor. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” And we could add, “Something to go wrong.” I tell every couple that, just expect it. Who knows what else went wrong, beside the fact Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Epiphany, John 2:1-11, Sermons.
Text: Luke 3:15-17,21-22 Baptism of Our Lord January 10, 2010
A young handicapped man would regularly come into a downtown church. Finally one day the pastor asked him if he prayed. He said “Yes.” “How do you pray?” “I listen” “When you listen, what do you hear?” “You are my beloved.”
What do you hear this morning as we remember the Baptism of our Lord? I told the confirmation kids on Wednesday night this is one of my favorite Sundays as we remember this special event in the life of Christ. This event was followed by the temptation of Jesus, so in many respects the Baptism of Jesus prepares him for the wilderness.
We begin the Epiphany season, the manifestation, the making known, the appearing of God to this sin filled world of ours. The first Sunday after Epiphany is always the Baptism of our Lord, where the voice from heaven makes known that Jesus is God’s son. The last Sunday is always the Transfiguration of our Lord, again the voice from heaven makes it known that Jesus is God’s son. Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Baptism of Our Lord, Luke 3:15-17, Luke 3:21-22, Sermons.
Christmas Day
Text: John 1:1-14; Isaiah 9:3 December 25, 2009
You made it! Much of the bustle is done, the lullabies are gone, the candles extinguished, the daylight has replaced the darkness, we can make a joyful noise.
Many people consider this the most joyful time of the year. As one of the songs says, it’s the “happiest season of all.” This day and joy go together. Joy—something good has happened to you and you have an excited feeling. May a part of that feeling be that “the word became flesh and dwelt among you” bringing joy to your world.
The good that has happened to you is the result of Jesus’ arrival, the amazing yet simple entrance into Bethlehem and your world. The joy-days have come. Freedom from the sin that separates us from God. Reconciliation with God. Adoption into Gods family. Growing in your relationship with God. And all the blessings that flow from God. Is this what brings joy to your life? Many find life’s joys in temporary pleasures, things that come and go. Freedom, reconciliation, adoption, growth, blessings are certainly not temporary joys. Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Christmas, Isaiah 9:3, John 1:1-14, Sermons.
Christmas Eve
Text: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20 December 24, 2009
According to a recent Washington Post article, if your last name is “Christmas,” facebook will not accept you. Facebook tends to reject people with unusual names. This is what Becky Super said, Bess Pancake and my favorite, Tim Six. He says, “Try making a dinner reservation: I’d like a table for Six at five for three.” All three were rejected by Facebook, although they appealed and were successful.
You heard the prophet Isaiah, “A child has been born for us, a son given to us and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These are certainly unusual names. Would facebook reject them as well? This new born king in Bethlehem, are you friending him? Isn’t that what tonight is about, do you want to be friends with Jesus? Look at his profile. Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Christmas, Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20, Sermons.
Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2009
Some first graders decided to write their own version of the Christmas story. The traditional characters were there, but Mary was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, loud moans and groans came from behind some bales of hay. Mary must be in labor. Then a Dr. appeared in his white coat with a stethoscope, Joseph paced back and forth. After a few moments the Dr. reappeared with a big smile on his face, “Congratulations Joseph, it’s a God.”
Congratulations Elizabeth, no matter how old you are, you’re going to have a baby.” “Congratulations Mary, no matter how young you are, you’re going to have a baby, and it is a God.” Congratulations, what are you going to have?
Congratulations to these miracle mothers. Mary had heard from the angel that she was going to have a baby. It was no different then; a young girl should not be out alone, much less traveling across country and on top of it all she is in a hurry. This is 60-80 miles, it would take 3-5 days, a courageous trip. She must have really been Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Advent, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-55, Sermons.
Text: Luke 3:7-18(Lk3-709) Third Sunday in Advent December 13, 2009
In recent years we have picked out our Christmas tree, then when we go to pick it up Dan follows along and with one pull you hear the zing of the chain saw and in no time the tree is ready to be hauled up to the vehicle. A Presbyterian pastor began his sermon, “Repent while you still have time. God’s chain saw is already fired up and close to the tree, ready to clean out dead wood. You children of snakes, you viper’s brood. Turn around while there is still time.”
John the Baptist announces judgment with images of an ax and fire. John lived an interesting life out in the wilderness; someone described him as scruffy. I thought about not shaving for a few days so I could be scruffy. This scruffy character had a role to fulfill denouncing sin and commanding repentance. Leonard Bernstein said that the hardest instrument to play is Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Advent, Luke 3:7-18, Sermons.
Text: Luke 3:1-6 Second Sunday of Advent December 6, 2009
Some of you are old enough to remember what was called the Emergency Broadcast System designed to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. The announcement would end this way, “If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune to one of the broadcast stations in your area.” In 1971 the system was inadvertently activated. Do you remember how well it worked? The majority of the radio stations chose to ignore it, thinking it was a mistake. Some listened, some did not.
When you think of John the Baptist, I think of the Emergency Broadcast System. John was assigned by God the task of alerting the people that the Messiah was on his way. Some listened and some did not. If this system is not needed anymore, is John Continued…
Posted in Sermons.
Tagged with Advent, Luke 3:1-6, Sermons.