Listen, Christian... We need to talk... And I need you to listen. I know your first reaction will be to want to jump in and say something. But please fight that urge. Just listen. By now you've seen the reports of the terrorist attack that happened in Charleston, South Carolina. And I know you've seen … Continue reading Christian, We Need To Talk…..
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on June 14, 2015 * Since sermons are primarily intended to be heard, you can listen along here. Text: Ruth 2:1-23 *************** Please pray with me: Be our hope, Holy One. And whether a comforting hug, a listening ear, or simply stillness, Let it be exactly what … Continue reading A Girl’s Best Friend
We all have thresholds. Physical… Emotional…Financial… In whatever arena, we all have a point at which things change irreversibly. That point, for me, was last night. See, last night I watched a cell phone video of a group of police officers round up teenagers like they were animals, and then I watched one of those … Continue reading #IAmMcKinney
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 28, 2015 * Text: John 1:1-14 *************** Please pray with me, as we ponder what it means that God’s Word became flesh: Incarnate God, In this time of rejoicing and hope and great joy, Help us to be joyful and to hold joy for others, Especially … Continue reading Holding On To Joy
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on January 11, 2015 * Text: Matthew 3:1-17 *************** Please pray with me: Please pray with me. Living God, We are often forgetful people. Remind us and keep us mindful of who we are and whose we are in the waters of our baptism. In your most … Continue reading All In The Family
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on February 1, 2015 * Text: Matthew 6:7-21 *************** Please pray with me: Holy God, Give us hearts to more fully love you, so that we may more fully worship you. Amen. *************** Last November, the Church of England adopted legislation to allow women to be bishops in … Continue reading It’s Not About You
* a reflection given at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on April 2, 2015 * Text: John 13:1-17, 31b-38 *************** As a kid, my favorite worship service of the whole year was Maundy Thursday. Frankly, in a lot of ways, it still is. See, I’ve always found the whole idea of Communion really, really compelling. In churchy language, we … Continue reading Matters of Posture — Maundy Thursday
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on April 26, 2015 * Text: John 10:11-18 *************** Please pray with me this morning: Loving God, You are our shepherd. Whether we feel separated from the flock, are led astray from the pasture, or we simply don’t like each other very much. Remind us that you love … Continue reading Sibling Rivalry—or, Exactly How Big Are We Talking?
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on May 24, 2015 * Text: Romans 8:18-38 *************** Pray with me this morning: Consume us, Holy Spirit. Lead us, and go with us confidently into the future that you are calling us, And be with us in the midst of our uncertainty. Amen. *************** I’m reading … Continue reading It All Seems A Little Far-Fetched, Don’t You Think?
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on May 17, 2015 * Since sermons are primarily intended to be heard, you can listen along here. Text: Romans 6:1-14 *************** Pray with me this morning: Cleanse us, and make us new, Holy One. Today, and every day. That your resurrection might be our hope, And hope … Continue reading Learning to Swim
the narrow way 