Sermons from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC

Gospel - John 2:1-11

In these readings between Christmas and Lent, the scriptures give us clues, signs, as to who Jesus is and what he’s up to.

Gospel - Luke 3:15-22

Beloved, these waters call us to difficult things: to love God with everything we have, to care for others and the world God made, to work for peace and justice in all the earth - no simple task. And doing these things faithfully, authentically, from the deepest parts of who we are will lead us to do things that not everyone will understand. These waters call us to look beyond labels that society gives us - labels like poor, addicted, disabled, young, old, foolish - and see the story that matters, the story that begins with God’s love.

Beloved is who we are. Beloved is the story that matters.

Gospel - Luke 2:1-14

God woos the world into deep love and deep change through a lullaby. Not a war cry. Not a march. But a lullaby that speaks to the heart.

Gospel - John 1:1-5; 10-14

Does God know our pain? Like, really know? In Christ we see that God does.

Gospel - Luke 1:39-55

Mary's song gives us a taste of who God is even before Jesus arrives.

Gospel - Luke 3:7-18

John the Baptizer is a fiery prophet pointing toward Jesus…but the Jesus we get is not the Jesus even he expected.

Gospel - Luke 21;25-36

Advent invites us to practice waiting. Because new life, like biscuits, can’t be rushed.

Gospel - John 18:33-37

On this last Sunday of the church year, we fast forward to remember that God’s sacrificial love wins the day. God does not forget God’s promises. And we’re not to forget them or the ones God cares most for, either.

Gospel - Mark 13:1-8

The Bible is our “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” The expectation that God is bringing about a better world and new life for us all is central to our faith. But it can be so difficult in the meantime. It’s so hard to wait, especially in the moments we are hurting.

The stories can help. Not only these words from Jesus, but all of the stories of God’s people through the centuries. We see ourselves in these pages, and we feel less alone. We can see when we should worry and when we can take a deep breath and just relax already. These stories help us to trust ourselves and the God who created us to get us through the pain to the new life on the other side.

Gospel - Mark 12:38-44

The widow acts as an unlikely prophet, a focal point for Jesus' critique of systems that keep out those who are struggling to make it.