Our gospel reading is full of words that mean more than how they read. Then there's the words of people that don't mean anything to us because they speak of a different era. Because we want to be engaged by Christ and moved in love, we spend some time thinking of the words while we think of the people whom we attempt to cast off and ignore, like ancient words. #sermon #sermonsoutofruralministry #Lutheran

Our gospel this week is an invitation to follow Christ in love with the temptation to bring about destruction on our enemies. We might be feeling the James and John vibe of calling fire upon those who use their power against God's people. Jesus, instead, takes us to the cross because it is only through the cross that we witness love. It is a powerful love, a transforming love, a love of mercy, compassion, and justice. Through the cross we glimpse a collapse of violence and a promise from God every life (LGBTQ, black, brown, indigenous, women) is counted and loved fully. #Pride #Lutheran #Godislove #LGBTQIA

Our gospel tells of a man who is corrupted by a legion of demons. Jesus shows up, does his thing, the legion is gone. Then the townsfolk show up and they don't respond as we might expect. We're reminded in this text that the demons did not just affect the individual, they shaped the entire community. Systemic racism is a legion of demons, flowing in, with, and all around God's people who find our ways to justify the unjust treatment of black, brown, and indigenous people. The legion of racism will even destroy life before it is ultimately silenced. We commemorate the Emanuel Nine this weekend, recognize Juneteenth, and ponder again Christ's love breaking us open even as we reject his love for us. #forgiveness #EmanuelNine #systemicracism

How might we see the realm of God responding to the prayers of this world? The violence of hate that arrived in Buffalo, NY, has reigned and exists in every shadowy corner of Creation, including our hometown. How is God compelling us to see the suffering of others while awakening us to our call into God's kingdom? God is for the persecuted, the oppressed, the ones who are told on a daily basis that their lives do not matter. Our place in this promise is already set through the cross and our baptism. How will we respond to the violence through God's light? #dailyrevelations #Godsjustice #newearth #gatesopen #racialjustice #saytheirnames #Buffalo

What in the world would you change if you had absolute control? We could focus on racial injustice, economic barriers to life, gender equality, peace in places of violence, or the topic close to our individual hearts. There's a hitch to the question, and it points to the conviction we face when we hear God promise to make all things new. Do we really want God to interfere with what we already know, even when it costs lives? Our series through Revelation continues as God declares what we cannot imagine (and may not want). #DailyRevelations #sermon #Easter #newheaven #newearth #baptism

Our sermon series, Daily Revelations, begins with a first look at the book of Revelation. We know the letter wasn't written for us, it was put down nearly 2000 years ago. It makes sense if not all of the symbols and images mean much to us even as we know that Revelation is not a look at the end of the world. It is not a prediction of coming doom and gloom. So, then, why bother reading it if it is old, doesn't make sense, and doesn't reveal much about our daily lives? #sermon #dailyrevelations #ruralministry #lutheran

Easter continues as we read the second half of last week's gospel. This week Jesus goes looking for the disciples and finds (most of) them. Thomas misses out and the text compels us to ask, "Who is missing?" Thomas becomes our reminder that people close to our congregation still feel disconnected from Christ and we the church may be keeping folks away. #sermon #Easter #DailyRevelations #sermonsoutofruralministry

This is the day the Lord has made! Can you feel it? Do you feel it? Our gospel centers on a moment between Mary and Jesus that speaks to our hope that God knows our name. With all of the hype of the day and every expectation we put on it, we might be left wondering if we can have the same beloved experience as Mary. Maybe, then, Mary is not the character for us to focus on this day. #sermon #DailyRevelations #Easter #ruralministry #sermonsoutofruralministry #Lutheran

"Words Fall Short" Our gospel reading begins where Christ often finds us, trying to figure him out. We come up with all sorts of words and ideas, many coming from scripture. We try to define Christ's being and wind up creating a version of God that fits our profile. As Jesus stands before Pilate and Herod silent, Jesus hears all of our words. Then, he takes them to the cross. #sermon #Lent #PalmSunday #sermonsoutofruralministry

"Smells Like Love," the sermon for this weekend on the contagious nature of grace. In our gospel, the joy of Mary fills the entire space, getting into clothes, walls, and skin. One of the disciples tries to tamp down this love with economic calculations and discomfort with extragant generosity, yet Jesus quiets all words. Mary, and Martha filling the space with her own aromatics, reflect God's abundance in the presence of death. How are we marked by the stench of fear and perfume of love? #sermon #LightBreakingin #Lent