John 1:1-5 (Fall Festival 2026) Our gospel for this week is known by most for being read each year at Christmas. Depending upon tradition, if you are Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, the first or second Sunday of the season. Unlike our synoptic nativities – Matthew and Luke – … More Creation – The Cradle of Christ
The Wedding Banquet Matthew 22:1-14 As many of you know, Hunter and I were away the last two weekends for our honeymoon in Ireland and Scotland. The trip was everything I dreamed of — more castles than Hunter ever wanted to visit, beautiful views, beans on toast, eating more good Irish soda bread than I … More What Are We Clothed With?
Matthew 21:33-46 Just shy of 100 years ago today – on October 4th,1927 – in the Black Hills of South Dakota, under the leadership of American historian Jonah LeRoy Robinson, sculpting began on the face of Mount Rushmore. Introduced first to the South Dakota Legislature, originally the sculpture was to include the Sioux Nation chief … More The Cornerstone – Not Monuments Carved in Stone, But Fruit to be Born
Philippians 2:1-13 Two weeks ago, we took pause from the things of everyday life to remember 9/11 – the day we collectively swore to never forget 25 years ago. Reflecting on those details of our personal experience – where we were, who we were with… the feelings of disbelief, denial, anxiety, fear, anger, and grief … More The Mind of Christ – Humble and Self-emptying
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
