In 2017, my freshman year at Penn State, Lutherans around the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. I had joined the Lutheran Student Community, and over spring break, four students, our campus ministry advisor, and her daughter, Mara, signed up for a Reformation tour of Germany. We planned to meet students from Arizona … More When the Plant Withers
On October 2, 2006, I was staying for a few days with my mom’s cousins, a couple I affectionately called Aunt Sandy and Uncle Danny, who lived in Belleville, an Amish community near State College. I remember coming back to their house after school, after a trip to the farmers market, and seeing the evening … More A Community of Forgiveness
Matthew 18:15-20 This weekend’s gospel is a lesson in conflict management – specifically, within the body of believers. According to chapter 15 of our ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations – DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS AND ADJUDICATION – not simply A lesson in conflict management, but THE lesson. Based on Jesus’ words before us this morning, our … More A lesson in conflict management
Romans 12:9-21 This past Tuesday, during our staff meeting, Pastor Andrew looked at us and said that Mark Withrow had just texted him to let him know that Dolly Parton had died. It was one of those strange “where were you when you heard?” moments. Raised on country and folk music, I grew up with … More Dolly, Paul, and Our Part in Peace
Matthew 16:13-20 Early this past week, after some wonderful time away at the beach with Christina and the kids, I came into the office and checked my mailbox, to find two letters addressed simply to “the pastor” – one anonymous, one from an out of state individual I’ve never met. Without even opening them, … More Who do you say Jesus is? Remaining faithful in the face of temptation
Matthew 15:(10–20), 21–28 This summer, Toy Story 5 premiered, the fifth installment of a movie franchise that began more than thirty years ago, in 1995. The original Toy Story introduced us to a young boy named Andy and his favorite toy, Sheriff Woody. Woody is part of a whole collection of toys—Mr. Potato Head, Slinky … More There’s Room for Buzz Lightyear, Too
Matthew 14:22-33 In the early 1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, was brainstorming new ways to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and help further the organization’s mission. Dr. Klatt was already a volunteer and held a leadership position on the local board for several years. He needed an idea … More A Little Faith
A sermon by Adam Michael, on the Feeding of the 5000 and this summer’s middle/high workcamp week. Throughout the week at workcamp, we discussed how to approach our lives with open hands. A closed fist represents anger, control and a refusal to lend a hand, attitudes toward others that Jesus calls us to deny or … More Give Me Something Small
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 More than two thousand years ago, the Greek philosopher Plato wrote The Republic, a work exploring truth, justice, education, and what it means to live a good life. In one of its most famous passages, Plato describes a conversation between his teacher, Socrates, and a man named Glaucon. Socrates asks Glaucon to … More Do You Understand?
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Jewish legend tells of a young man who, while studying the Torah’s laws of forbidden mixtures, asked his teacher, “Master, why does the Holy One allow weeds to grow in His field?” And so, in rabbinic fashion, the teacher responded to his student’s question with a question of his own. “Tell me, … More Weeds among the wheat – Let them grow together
