In the midst of tragic news, Jesus asks out loud what seems to be whispered amongst his people: did they deserve to suffer? Obvious to answer, maybe. It is also part of our human nature to put distance between ourselves and those who endure tragedy. When we could be moving closer and reaching out, our gut reaction is to slide away and avoid, as if the suffering of others is contagious or worse, is somehow deserved. How, then, does Jesus respond to us? #lent #LightBreakingIn #sermon

What are your circles of influence? Who can you move, who moves you and shapes your decisions? If we can identify connections for individuals, we can do it for churches, too. And churches, bodies of Christ designed to reflect God's kingdom in specific spaces, can be highly risk averse. This fear of taking on new challenges and ideas comes from the partnerships and influences that circle around the congregation. Jesus in the gospel reading is being steered away from tremendous risk and invited to take a safer approach to ministry. Jesus takes a different path from the one offered. #sermon #Lent #LightBreakingIn #ruralministry

In our gospel, Luke offers a fun-to-say word that points to the essence of our humanity. Which means, it is the part of our lives that every single human shares, and we share it with God. Surrounded by the great powers and mystery of our Creator, we are glimpse of God and with that, a reminder that we are all created in God's image. Kinda fun to think that your guts are what connect you to your neighbors. #sermon #SeeingGodAnew 

 If we hang out in the same spot, around the same people, using a shared language, we form an identity. Then, when its time to meet new people in new spaces, we will inevitably measure these folk by what we know. In the world of faith and community life, this means we run the risk of deciding worth based on our expectations. The congregation Jesus teaches to wants to keep all the grace for themselves, no one else is as worthy. We want to keep-and define-grace for ourselves because are (more) worthy. No wonder people of color in white spaces struggle to find their voice, or a sense of self. #sermon #SeeingGodAnew #expectations #grace #liberation #healing #freedom #racism 

This week we go a little deep into church history to wrestle with our own collective history of white congregations keeping God form black and brown people of God. Through a gospel story in which only certain people witness Christ's revelation, we wonder the ways God becomes visible and we can't see it. Or, don't want to see God in faces and voices different from a white northen European appearance. How do we keep God invisible and at arm's length? #sermon #systemicracism #seekjustice #blackhistorymonth #lutheran #WeddingatCana #John2

This week in the ongoing story of young Jesus, we find him getting into trouble and getting his parents mad. Chaos ensues as Mary and Joseph frantically search for him around Jerusalem, only to find him in the Temple with the teachers. He seems completely unfazed that he's been missing for 3 days. Oh that rascal! Luke gives us little glimpses into the ordinariness of Jesus's life, maybe to help us imagine God present in the ordinariness of our own. #sermon #SeeingGodAnew #Luke2

The people were filled with expectation as they stood around a guy in the wilderness waiting for baptism. Lots of loaded thoughts there. Why would they leave their homes to jump into a river many miles away? What was John offering that captivated so many people? What are any of us expecting from God as we enter this new year? #sermon #baptism #kingdomofGod

"Room for You," the Christmas Eve sermon from Pr Josh Ehrler. For any of us who do not feel like we fit, or God is too far in the distance, there is room enough for you. Jesus is the living Word of justice and love. #bangthedoorlikeJoseph #ChristmasEve #GodWithYou #Emmanuel #sermon #lgbtq #blacklivesmatter #justice #love

"Everyday Kingdom Work" Our gospel text for this weekend is Mary's song. You know, that song. The one that has been transcribed, translated and put to countless tunes in order for Creation to sing with her joy. It is a song of transformation, hope, and a promise of God's kingdom breaking into the world to turn our lives upside down. How, then, do we live into these words that speak of loft and aspiration beyond our abilities? There might be a hint in the text, and in Mary's own response to her song. #Magnificat #sermon #ActivePrayer #Advent

Our preaching text takes us to a baby shower up in the hills of Judea, where Mary and Elizabether are celebrating. Mary, a young mother surrounded by challenges and a vague future, is greeted by Elizabeth, a "very old" mother (Luke's words) facing her own obstacles and wonder. For all that they have against them and waiting for them, in this moment, they are filled with holy joy. With all that you are dealing with and waiting to unfold, how might you be defiant in your joy? #babyshower #sermon #joy #advent #activeprayer