First Sunday of Christmas 31 December 2017 (Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40) “I Beg to Differ!” I am excited this morning because this is such an important text for Luke’s entire Gospel and the Books of Acts, and, quite honestly, I do not get to preach on this text very often. But having said … More “I Beg to Differ!”

Christmas Eve 24 December 2017 (Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20) “Poking Holes in the Dark!” The film, Christmas with the Kranks, has made a real comeback this holiday season. In many ways this story is a contemporary adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It is the story of Luther and Nora … More “Poking Holes in the Dark!”

Advent 2017 — Who will separate us from the love of Christ? A homily given by Dee Lockman to the St. James Congregation December 13, 2017 Romans 8 26        Likewise the spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very spirit intercedes with sighs … More Advent Midweek 2, 2017

Third Sunday of Advent 17 December 2017 (Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28) “Called to the Witness Stand!” I really like John the Baptist! Not so much the well-manicured, every-whisker-in-place guy we sometimes dress up for our Christmas pageants. Rather, I prefer the loud-voiced mammoth out in the wildness trying … More “Called to the Witness Stand!”

ADVENT 2017- OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW BEGINNING – MAKE STRAIGHT THE PATHS A Homily Given by Tom and Barbara Vossler to the St. James Congregation December 6th, 2017   (Tom) They were born and spent their early life in Tunigen, a small village in the duchy of Wurttemberg, a Lutheran stronghold in Catholic dominated Southern … More Advent Midweek 1, 2017

First Sunday of Advent 3 December 2017 (Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37) “Earthquake! Oz! Three-year-old Theology!” Just as we sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, my three-year-old grandson, sitting directly on my left, began singing Jingle Bells. “Grandpa, help me sing,” Jaxon says to me, “it’s Christmas!” I said, “But, Jaxon, today … More “Earthquake! Oz! Three-year-old Theology!”