* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on March 1, 2015 * Text: Matthew 20:1-16 *************** Let's pray: Make us humble, Holy One, That we might receive your mercy as a gift, Whether we are last, or first, or somewhere in between. Amen. *************** When I was in college, in my last semester, I … Continue reading Worst. Pyramid Scheme. Ever.
* a sermon given at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 24, 2015 * Text: Luke 1:1-20 *************** Merry Christmas, y’all! Please pray with me, as we ponder this mysterious gift we’ve been given: Holy God, you’ve given us a tremendous gift, you’ve given us yourself. As the Light shatters the darkness, break into our lives once again. Amen. … Continue reading Gift-Giving
* a homily given at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on February 18, 2015 * Text: Matthew 18:1-9 *************** A prayer: Mortality stares us in the face, O God. Hold us, and comfort us. Amen. *************** When I was a young boy, I was fascinated by things I didn’t understand. I’m not sure where this sensibility came from, but I … Continue reading Stardust
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on February 15, 2015 * Text: Matthew 16:24-17:8 *************** Please pray with me: Holy God, Transform us. Give us hearts that shine like the sun. Amen. *************** Quick poll, show of hands: Who can tell me what season we’re in? Winter, Time after Epiphany, Basketball season, Less than … Continue reading Wardrobe Malfunction
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on January 25, 2015 * Text: Matthew 5:13-14 *************** Let us pray: Living God, Sometimes vital signs are faint, And we can’t see seedlings beginning to sprout. Give us your creative vision for the world, That we may participate in its restoration. Amen. *************** I have a … Continue reading Signs of Life
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on January 18, 2015 * Text: Matthew 4:1-17 ------ Please pray with me: Holy God, Temptations of all kinds swirl around us. Give us discerning hearts and minds, that we might know what is needful for life, and on whom we rely. Amen. ********** This past Wednesday, 25 … Continue reading The End of Our Wits
*an Advent reflection given at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 10, 2014* Text: Mark 1:1-8 Prepare Wilderness. Untouched, undomesticated, unknown. Full of lush foliage, I imagine. Or lying barren and uninviting. Or sitting under ages of crumbling infrastructure, rubble, and dust. Certainly not the picture we have of our beautiful city. There aren’t many “untouched” parts … Continue reading Realign — or ‘The Call of a Scraggly, Strange-Dressing, Bug-Eating Prophet’
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 7, 2014 * Text: Isaiah 42:1-9 As we consider these words from Isaiah, and the world in which we live, please pray with me. God of all things; God of life; God of peace; God of justice; Come soon… Amen. I was a camp … Continue reading Lights Out
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on November 16, 2014 * Text: A Story from Isaiah (based on Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; and 2:1-4) The King of Assyria came to Judah and sent a messenger to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. The messenger called out to the people of Jerusalem, in their own language, … Continue reading Torn in Two
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on October 19, 2014 * Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-9 Well, I’m sorry to say you’ve been duped again. Last week, we had a seemingly innocent story about heritage, which Pastor Tim turned into a sermon about stewardship; and I have to apologize because this week we … Continue reading Here’s To You!
the narrow way 