Do pastors pray? Yes. And Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner helps us to explore prayer and how it can weave into our lives. There are echos of other conversations with other staff members in this conversation between Pastor Jason and Deaconess Claire Schoepp, Children and Family Minister. You may find yourself surprised to find out some connections around mending God's world and prayer. Augustana, for whom shall we pray?

Sermon Title: Our Life in God. Preacher: Deacon Stephanie Anderson. Preaching Text: Luke 11:1-10. In today's passage, we hear a prayer that is familiar to our ears; the prayer that Jesus taught us and that we recite together at the communion table: The Lord's Prayer. Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray and he does so with a prayer for all of the cosmos to be transformed to and for God's kingdom come. This means that the treasures of heaven that Jesus speaks of are not exclusive to the afterlife; not just for when we die. They are not limited to a distant future, but rather call us to care about the present reality of God's kingdom breaking into our world.

Stacy Eichman-Cardwell, Director of Adult Education at Augustana and Deaconess Claire Schoepp, Children and Family Minister at Augustana Lutheran Church have a conversation about forgiveness. What it is and what it isn't is something worth exploring especially with Stacy.

Sermon Title: Going the Extra Mile for Forgiveness. Preacher: Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner. Preaching Text: Matthes 18:10-22. Forgiveness is both on of the most powerful elements of human relationship, and one of the most difficult to practice.

We are a part of mending God's world when we help those who are hurting or sick. Joann Arneberg, Faith Community Nurse at Augustana Lutheran Church has a lot of experience thinking about and working with people in need of healing. In this conversation with Deaconess Claire Schoepp, Children and Family Minister, Joann helps us expand our understanding of healing to include conversations around mental health.

Sermon Title: Healing Through Service. Preacher: Deacon Stephanie Anderson. Preaching Text: Luke 10:25-37. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan in response to a lawyer's question about inheriting eternal life and defining "neighbor." Through this parable, Jesus teaches that love and mercy towards others, regardless of their background, define what it means to be a true neighbor.

Have you ever had someone pick up the tab or drop by a meal just when you've needed it? Have you ever been a part of making sure that people have enough to eat who are struggling to make ends meet? Augustana's own Cathy Hendrickson, Director of Congregation and Community Life, and Deaconess Claire Schoepp, Children and Family Minister, have a conversation about the spiritual practice of feeding people. Feeding people is an act of faith. Cathy has some beautiful and powerful stories to tell that illustrate this.

Sermon Title: Relying on God. Preacher: Deacon Stephanie Anderson. Preaching Text: Exodus 16:4-12. God promises to rain down bread from heaven, instructing the Israelites to gather only what they need. As they wander in the wilderness, this gift from God falls each day, serving as a daily testament to God's faithfulness and care. God not only satisfies their physical hunger, but also reassures them of God's constant, caring presence.