Video Sermons
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Worship for Sunday, May 21, 2023: Ascension of Our Lord
In today’s gospel the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus; we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.
Worship for Sunday, May 14, 2023: 6th Sunday of Easter
Jesus does not leave his followers orphaned. Through the Holy Spirit Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.
Worship for Sunday, May 7, 2023: 5th Sunday of Easter
As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. As First Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.
Worship for Sunday, April 30, 2023: 4th Sunday of Easter
Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us in the midst of the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.
Worship for Sunday, April 23, 2023: 3rd Sunday of Easter
Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them, and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.
Worship for Sunday, April 16, 2023: 2nd Sunday of Easter
In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.
Worship for Sunday, April 9: 2023: Easter Sunday
On this day the Lord has acted! On the first day of the week God began creation, transforming darkness into light. On this, the “eighth day” of the week, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. We celebrate this new creation in the waters of baptism and in the feast of victory. With great joy we celebrate this day of days, even as we begin the great fifty days of Easter. Filled with hope, we go forth to share the news that Christ is risen!
Worship for Sunday, April 2, 2023: Palm/Passion Sunday
Today’s liturgy begins with a palm procession, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Quickly the tone of the service changes as we meditate upon Jesus’ passion & death. Because the story is so central to our faith, we hear Matthew’s account of the passion today and John’s version on Good Friday. Though Jesus is obedient even unto death on the cross, he is exalted by God. We gather to remember his offering for the life of the world, and to be fed by his life-giving mercy. This holy week will culminate in the celebration of the Three Days of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
Worship for Sunday, March 26, 2023: 5th Sunday in Lent
In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadow of death, these stories proclaim God’s power of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be raised with him to new life.
Worship for Sunday, March 19, 2023: 4th Sunday in Lent
Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. I was blind, but now I see, declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved sons and daughters. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives.
Worship for Sunday, March 12, 2023: 3rd Sunday in Lent
In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal—offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Worship for Sunday, March 5, 2023: 2nd Sunday in Lent
In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are given a new birth as daughters and sons of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s love for all the world.
Worship for Sunday, February 26, 2023: 1st Sunday in Lent
Today’s gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church Lent was time of intense preparation for those to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. This catechetical focus on the meaning of faith is at the heart of our Lenten journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead.
Worship for Wednesday, February 22, 2023: Ash Wednesday
Our Lenten journey begins with ashes, remembering that we are mortal. Today's message is a reminder to focus on what is truly central in life: our relationship with God and with one another. The ashes and invitation to Lenten practices all bring this point home.
Worship for Sunday, February 19, 2023: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent—Christmas—Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent—Easter cycle that begins in several days on Ash Wednesday. On the mount of transfiguration Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem.
Worship for Sunday, February 12, 2023: 6th Sunday after Epiphany
Much of today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten Commandments. Jesus’ instructions to the crowd reveal a pattern of behavior that honors both God and the neighbor, resulting in life and health for the whole community. We too are invited to embrace these commandments, not out of fear of retribution, but because God has promised that to do so means life for us.
Worship for Sunday, February 5, 2023: 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Light shines in the darkness for the upright, the psalmist sings. In another passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others. Through baptism we are sent into the world to shine with the light of Christ.
Worship for Sunday, January 29, 2023: 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, mourners, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers. In baptism we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving.
Worship for Sunday, January 22, 2023: 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy.
Worship for Sunday, January 15, 2023: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the one anointed by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in the word and meal, and go to invite others to come and worship the Holy One.
Worship for Sunday, January 8, 2023: Baptism of Our Lord
In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.
Worship for Sunday, January 1, 2023: First Sunday of Christmas
As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel reading today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the "holy innocents" of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around word and meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and carry us as in days of old.
Worship for December 24 & 25, 2022: Christmas Worship
Worship for Sunday, December 18, 2022: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday in Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.
Worship for Sunday, December 11, 2022: Third Sunday of Advent
A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom. Jesus points to signs of God’s reign: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ’s advent among us.
Worship for Sunday, December 4, 2022: Second Sunday of Advent
At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases, we turn toward the light of Christ’s coming. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist too proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.
Worship for Sunday, November 27, 2022: First Sunday of Advent
The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s reading Jesus challenges us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.
Worship for November 24, 2022: Day of Thanksgiving
Every gathering for worship has elements of thanksgiving. When we are nourished with God’s bounty in holy communion, when we partake of Jesus’ word that gives life to the world, and even when two or three of us simply join our hearts in prayer to make our requests known to God, we do so “with thanksgiving.” Let us give thanks to God, who is good and whose mercy endures forever.
Worship for Sunday, November 20, 2022: Christ the King Sunday
Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of death Jesus opens the door to paradise.
Worship for Sunday, November 13, 2022: Time After Pentecost
The tone of today’s texts is ominous. The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
Worship for Sunday, November 6, 2022: All Saints Sunday
In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and to heed the admonitions of Jesus in today’s gospel. Sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we live with joy as God gives us breath, to the praise of God’s glory.
Worship for Sunday, October 30, 2022: Reformation Sunday
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.
Worship for Sunday, October 23, 2022: Time after Pentecost
Genuine repentance and pretentious piety stand in stark contrast in the gospel and all around us. All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness. Keep the faith. God’s people shall be accounted righteous for Jesus’ sake. Our God is merciful to sinners. For this we worship and glorify God forever.
Worship for Sunday, October 16, 2022: Time after Pentecost
Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.
Worship for Sunday, October 9, 2022: Time after Pentecost
It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. We have died with Christ and been raised with him. For all this we have returned to offer thanks. From this place we are sent on our way rejoicing to share the good news.
Worship for Sunday, October 2, 2022: Time after Pentecost
A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipated them. Receive them with thanksgiving.
Worship for Sunday, September 25, 2022: Time after Pentecost
Consideration of and care of those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of who we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom could not hold—who comes to us risen from the dead—who can free us from the death grip of greed.
Worship for Sunday, September 18, 2022: Time after Pentecost
As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we are bought with a price. “Christ Jesus, himself human…gave himself a ransom for all.” Apart from the generosity of God we have nothing—we are nothing. By God’s gracious favor we have everything we need.
Worship for Sunday, September 11, 2022: Time after Pentecost
The grumbling of the religious leaders in today’s gospel reading is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God seeks and saves the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As the writer of 1 Timothy reminds us, “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Thanks be to God.
Worship for Sunday, September 4, 2022: Time after Pentecost
Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship today, we reflect on how a life of discipleship encompasses all of our life. How is our faith active in the world? How is our faith active in love towards our neighbors? What does it mean to follow Christ with all of our life?
