Explore past sermons from Peace Lutheran Church. Read a summary, find the scripture references, and download the original sermon manuscript.
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No nodding off this Sabbath
If people came to worship that morning in Capernaum expecting the same old/same old well, they were up for a rude awakening! The power and clarity of Jesus’ proclamation astounded the congregation. This NEW WORD Jesus speaks has them all standing on tiptoe; latches in their minds long closed suddenly spring open; linkages previously ignored…
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Earthbound Jesus
Mark’s Good News story of Jesus is enmeshed with earthy things, and there are reminders of this throughout this morning’s text. From the get-go Mark puts us on notice that the One whose story he tells does not hover above the ground but has his feet planted on terra firma. Nor will the truth of…
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Vulnerable Child
The Creator of the Universe, emptied of any vestige of power, knit together in the secret of the womb; assuming every contingency that comes with synapse and sinew, comes into the world as we all do—through the pain of labor and the rush of water and blood. What does it mean—that God choose these circumstances…
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Lydia’s Secret
A 12 year old girl named Lydia witnesses a clandestine act of generosity to a newly resettled refugee family, and what she discovers as she unravels the mysterious giver behind it, reshapes her perceptions and her life.
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Finding Refuge in Him
With the darkest days of the year upon us, the darkness I find myself eager to be on the other side of isn’t so much the astronomical darkness that characterizes life in late December at this latitude, but the intractable problems, conflicts, crises, and battles that never seem to cease. The 5th anniversary of the…
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Which Good News will prevail?
Mark opens his gospel with a sentence that, at first glance, seems totally perfunctory and inconsequential: THE BEGINNING OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD. But this verse is actually loaded with clues telling us what Mark’s narrative of Jesus is about. The Priene Calendar Inscription dating from the year 9…
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Which Narrative Prevails?
As we begin this Advent journey there is no mention of Mary or Joseph; and no shepherds or Magi in sight. There are angels, but not in the roles we’re used to seeing them. Instead, we’re privy to apocalyptic images, and Jesus’ words: STAY ALERT, KEEP WATCH. REMEMBER THE FIG TREE. It all seems so…
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Seeing the Other, Seeing Jesus
A woman named Kay has been feeding the homeless for 23 years in response to Jesus’ command: “When you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me.” What does it mean to look at others through Jesus’ eyes? How has the understanding of this final parable from Jesus in Matthew’s gospel…
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Authentic Treasure
The featured painting at Christie’s auction house recently, had an opening bid of $100 million dollars. But by the time the gavel came down, that figure had risen to over 4½ times that amount, making the purchase, at $450.3 million dollars, the highest price ever paid at auction for a work of art. Who the…
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What are we formed for?
As we observe Veterans Sunday today, we’re also beginning a two-part focus on stewardship under the theme: RE-formation, and the question we’re inviting reflection on is: WHAT ARE WE FORMED FOR? Paul tells us our vocation in 2 Corinthians 4. My shorthand translation of verse 7: We carry the gospel treasure in the clay jars…