This sermon is the second in the series "I am your shield" and is the originating passage for the theme. It is also the first recorded sermon in the series because of extenuating circumstances with the first sermon in the series. This sermon reminds the hearers of the backstory to the Abraham and Sarah story and then helps the congregation to see themselves in this story.Of interest may be the underlying congregation context of Pastor Laura getting ready to leave the congregation and their need to find a new pastor.

This is the fourth sermon in a short series on Luther's Small Catechsim – a sermon on Holy Communion. This sermon explores one of the ways of understanding the Last Supper.By the way: if you are looking for the fifth and final part of the Catechism on Holy Baptism, you will not find a sermon by me. I was on vacation for that last Sunday of the series and members of my congregation gave the sermon. I was told it was entertaining!

This is the third sermon in a short series on Martin Luther's Small Catechsim. The sermon today explores the Lord's prayer, and how it might be considered the alphabet of our faithful prayer.A note about the image: This is from Nicaragua and a gift from Dana K. who did mission work there. I am honored that she thought of me to bring me a gift!

Bible Text: Mark 9:14-27Series: Summer 2020 | This sermon is the second in a series on Luther's Small Catechism and is on/about the Creed. It lifts up the trinitarian nature of our God, and how God is with us in all things in this life. If you are wondering about the image that accompanies this sermon, it is a statue in Barmen, Germany that commemorates the Barmen Declaration of 1934. This was a small group of faithful people who declared their faith in opposition to the Nazis while most of the church in Germany did nothing. The statue, like the declaration itself, sits unassuming yet powerfully in the small German town.

Bible Text: Exodus 20:1-17Series: Summer 2020 | This is the first sermon in a series on the Small Catechism, the theological teaching that Martin Luther constructed to educate German peasants in the 1500s. The Catechism, even today, helps us to understand the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. This sermon approaches the Ten Commandments and their place in our lives today.

Bible Text: Acts 17:22-31 | This is the fourth and final sermon in the series on apologetic speeches in Acts. Paul is addressing the people of Athens, but it is clear that before he does this he has taken a stroll around the city and noticed all the shrines, altars and temples to the pantheon of Greek gods. Paul, ever the good rhetorician, uses this opportunity to proclaim who God is.

Bible Text: Acts 13:16-41Series: Summer 2020 | This is the third sermon in a series on apologetic speeches in the book of Acts. In the reading today, Paul is attempting to convince those who are wavering in faith of the messiahship of Jesus. As people of faith in the midst of a pandemic that continues to alter our lives, perhaps we need some reminding -- maybe even convincing -- that God is still at work in the world.

Bible Text: Acts 3:12-26Series: Summer 2020 | This sermon is the second in a series of four using apologetic speeches in the Book of Acts. In this one, Peter has just healed a man who was born lame and the crowds are amazed. Peter takes this opportunity to convince them of the goodness of God and that Jesus is Messiah.

Bible Text: Acts 2:14-41Series: Summer 2020 | This is the first sermon in a four part series on some of the speeches in the Book of Acts. It was preached outside (thus the birds in the background!) as we gathered for worship during the COVID-19 outbreak. The series looks at the field of Apologetics and how this might affect us as we attempt to be witnesses in the world.

Bible Text: Matthew 5:1-12Series: Summer 2020 | This sermon is on one of (what I think to be) the harder texts upon which to preach. But, thanks to some students of mine, I got a handle on it this time. So, thanks to Rob Eller, Evan McVann, and their colleagues for their insight into this text. And, while I am citing people, some of the modern beatitudes in this sermon are theirs!