A Christian meditation plus prayers for Election Day 2024 as well as for while we await Inauguration Day in the United States.

#MartinLuther #Lutheran #election2024 #prayer #faith #spirituality #loveoneanother #citizenship #Christianity #Christian

This is a Christmas sermon inspired by the popular pickle ornament.

This sermon on Luke 2:1-20 was preached at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023. Find the written text at 2-penny-blog.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) translation.

#sermon #nativity ##christmas #trust #faith #christian #spirituality #godwithus #lutheran #jesus

Through faith, we are invited to look at a larger vision for the world. Having a bad day, does not mean you have a bad life. You are part of God's eternal story, and God has the final word.

This sermon on Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 and Mark 12:1-3 was preached at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA on the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, November 19, 2023. Find the written version at 2-penny-blog.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

#sermon #isaiah #worry #faith #christian #spirituality #godwithus #lutheran #jesus

A short reflection on what I learned about love from the Native Communities in South Dakota and the buffalo.

Adapted from an article published in Christ Lutheran's October 2023 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at ⁠2pennyblog.wordpress.com⁠. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) translation. Content produced for this blog does not necessarily represent the viewpoints of any other person, organization or entity other than the host.

My congregation has been working its way through the Narrative Lectionary, and this past Sunday, the focus was on the story of Ruth and Naomi juxtaposed with Jesus’ discussion in Mark 3 about who is our brother and sister. Informed by the horrific Hamas attacks in Israel and growing war clouds (as well as discord in families at times), I asked myself the question, “How are we supposed to love people from other ‘tribes’ when they don't love us?” I think Ruth and Naomi’s story speaks to this

This sermon on  Ruth 1:1-17 and Mark 3:33-35 was preached at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 15, 2023. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

#sermon #bookofruth #tribalism #loveyourenemy #christian #spirituality #faith #lutheran #jesus

Where do we look when everything seems dark? This episode is an Easter reflection offered to my congregation in 2023.

(Previously published in Christ Lutheran's April 2023 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com.

#prayer #christian #spirituality #faith #lutheran #jesus #lightoftheworld

What did St. Patrick know that we should too? Jesus is always around us, in us, and for us. (Previously published in Christ Lutheran's March 2023 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com.) 

#stpatrick #stpatricksday #breastplate #prayer #christian #spirituality #faith #lutheran

Among the most complicated of topics that Jesus addresses remains the gift of forgiveness. And indeed, forgiveness is a gift at its heart. 

Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio

To see a list of my sermon's references and footnotes, please find the sermon text at  https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/.

You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at:

https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/

Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred. We are @clcfred on Instragram.

Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Sermon Copyright © 2023 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com

#forgiveness #lent #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon #matthew

What significance does Jesus' transfiguration have for us today? It helps us see ourselves and our situation in a new way. 

Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio

You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at:

https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/

Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred. We are @clcfred on Instragram.

Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Sermon Copyright © 2023 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com

#transfiguration #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon #matthew

A short but personal reflection about Pastor Lou's journey home during a Lent thirty years ago.

Previously published in the February 2023 Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version of this post and other writings at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. 

#lent #christian #spirituality #faith #repent #redemption #hope

© 2023 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.