For this year's Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, I came to remember and reflect upon my baptism - but not just the historic details. I came to ask myself, "Why would the Son of God, born without sin, need to be baptized? Why should we be baptized?" 

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

#baptismofjesus #baptismofourlord #baptism #matthew3 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon

Looking into a new year can be like looking into a chasm of darkness. What does the furture hold? We can never fully know, but we know this. God holds us. God's love has us covered.

Previously published in Christ Lutheran's January 2023 Newsletter in Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version of this podcast  and more at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSVue) translation unless otherwise noted.

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

#newyear #christian #spirituality #faith #godislove #lutheran

This is my sermon from the Narrative Lectionary for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost (2022). My sermon reflects upon the ancient miracles related to the parting of the Red Sea. How did it happen? How does God work in similar ways today in our own lives when we are trapped by troubles?  Please read the Narrative Lectionary texts for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29; Matthew 2:13-15.

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 © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com

#redsea #redseaparting #exodus #matthew2 #exodus14 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon

This is my sermon from the Narrative lectionary for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost (2022). It is about Joseph and Potiphar's wife, but it is about us too. In this sermon, I touch upon our own involvement with false accusation and gossip - sometimes as perpetrators, sometimes as victims. Please read the Narrative Lectionary texts for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Genesis 39:1-23; Psalm 146; Matthew 5:11-12.

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

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

Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com

#Joseph #potiphar #genesis39 #matthew5 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon

Many children love the story of Noah's ark, but is it really a children's story? Take a deeper look with Pastor Lou as he explores how our interactions with "the floods" of our modern lives can be changed by reflecting upon the promise found in this ancient tale. Please read the Narrative Lectionary texts for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Genesis 6:5-22; 8:6-12; 9:8-17; Psalm 51:1-10; Matthew 8:24-27.

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

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

Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/

#noah #jesusandthetorm #jesuscalmsthesotrm #noahsark #genesis6 #matthew8 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran

Please read the lectionary Texts for Trinity Sunday (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

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

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

Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/

#trinitysunday #godthefather #godtheson #jesus #holyspirit #godhead #triunegod #trinity #holytrinity #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran

How can Jesus be revealed to some and not others? That question uttered by the Apostle Judas (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, thus sometimes called Jude) is a great one. Despite our anxiety or shortcomings, we need not doubt. We don't even need to understand. The Spirit is on the move; connecting us to the saints of old, even as it is leading us toward that final eternity with God in peace. The Spirit invites each of us to play a part in God's sacred story. 

Please read the lectionary Texts for the the Sixth Sunday in Easter (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10 and 21:22-22:5, and John 14:23-29.

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

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

Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/

#easter #easter6 #acts16 #john 14 #holyspirit #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran

In the earliest stories of the Church, we encounter people much like us. And even today, like them, we can meet the Risen Christ through our ordinary, daily lives. (Previously published in Christ Lutheran's May 2022 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com.) #easter #christian #spirituality #faith

Life is filled with strange occurences and joyful events deemed as miracles. Yet, what if the greatest miracles come from the legacy of love shared as part of Christ's Church. Exploring the story of Tabitha's resurrection in Acts 9, we discover that among the greatest of God's miracles is love shared.

Please read the lectionary Texts for the the Fourth Sunday in Easter prior to listening to my sermon: Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

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

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

Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio

#easter #easter4 #acts9 #john10 #death #resurrection #faith #spirituality #christian

It can be hard to talk about death. We might even try to deny it or fight it. Yet, it comes for us all. Yes, death is in the air, but Jesus is with us. We need not anxiously hold onto our life in a stranglehold. We can offer it in love to God and neighbor, for death will not have the final world. 

Lectionary Text for the the Fifth Sunday in Lent: John 12:1-8

Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio

Music: Rebecca Case

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

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

Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies.

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#lent #john12 #death #faith #spirituality #christian