Your Faith Journey - Finding God Through Words, Song and Praise

Special music, Call to Lent arranged by J. Jerome Williams performed by the Chancel Choir of Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

Special Music - 2-14-16 - My Jesus Walked by Lyn Holley Doucet & Arranged by Mary McDonald

I am sure all of you recognize these words as the refrain of that dearly loved hymn I Love To Tell The Story. This refrain kept going through my head as I studied our Bible readings for today, especially our reading from Deuteronomy. I kept thinking about the stories and narratives that are gifted to us in scripture. A narrative is a retelling of something that happened. A narrative is not the story itself but rather the telling of the story. Narratives are important because they shape history, they give identity and they shape us as people.

Special Music - 2-14-16 - My Jesus Walked by Lyn Holley Doucet & Arranged by Mary McDonald

I am sure all of you recognize these words as the refrain of that dearly loved hymn I Love To Tell The Story. This refrain kept going through my head as I studied our Bible readings for today, especially our reading from Deuteronomy. I kept thinking about the stories and narratives that are gifted to us in scripture. A narrative is a retelling of something that happened. A narrative is not the story itself but rather the telling of the story. Narratives are important because they shape history, they give identity and they shape us as people.

Special music from January 31, 2015 by the Chancel Choir of Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan

Today's sermon is based on the Gospel of Luke 4:21-30.

In this verse: 

People in Jesus’ hometown are initially pleased when he says that God will free the oppressed. Their pleasure turns to rage when he reminds them that God’s prophetic mission typically pushes beyond human boundaries so that mercy and healing are extended to those regarded as outsiders.

In this week’s gospel reading we get what former radio personality, Paul Harvey, would have called, “the rest of the story.” If you remember last week’s gospel reading, Jesus had gone to his hometown synagogue and read words from the great prophet Isaiah, saying: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to preach good news to the poor.” Then, he sat down. The people’s eyes fixed on him, and he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The first public word spoken by Jesus himself in Luke’s gospel is the word “today.” That word is a favorite of Luke’s. It appears twelve times in Luke’s gospel. “Today” conveys a real sense of immediacy. Furthermore, Jesus says the words of Isaiah are “fulfilled in your hearing.” Hearing Jesus’ words, connecting them with the fulfillment of scripture, seeing Jesus’ ministry of “release” on behalf of the poor—all of this Jesus claims is taking place right now, today, in and through him.

Special music from January 31, 2015 by the Chancel Choir of Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan

Today's sermon is based on the Gospel of Luke 4:21-30.

In this verse: 

People in Jesus’ hometown are initially pleased when he says that God will free the oppressed. Their pleasure turns to rage when he reminds them that God’s prophetic mission typically pushes beyond human boundaries so that mercy and healing are extended to those regarded as outsiders.

In this week’s gospel reading we get what former radio personality, Paul Harvey, would have called, “the rest of the story.” If you remember last week’s gospel reading, Jesus had gone to his hometown synagogue and read words from the great prophet Isaiah, saying: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to preach good news to the poor.” Then, he sat down. The people’s eyes fixed on him, and he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The first public word spoken by Jesus himself in Luke’s gospel is the word “today.” That word is a favorite of Luke’s. It appears twelve times in Luke’s gospel. “Today” conveys a real sense of immediacy. Furthermore, Jesus says the words of Isaiah are “fulfilled in your hearing.” Hearing Jesus’ words, connecting them with the fulfillment of scripture, seeing Jesus’ ministry of “release” on behalf of the poor—all of this Jesus claims is taking place right now, today, in and through him.