bible

  • Terrible, wonderful days

    Last week, one of my seminary classmates lost his wife. The funeral was yesterday. It was awful and beautiful in the way that big life moments can be. We celebrated Easter just two days before her death. We sang and… Continue reading

    Terrible, wonderful days
  • February 9, 2025: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

    Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13], Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 Big Themes: Calling. Isaiah is called to speak God’s word. Paul is called, as one “untimely born,” and Jesus calls his first disciples. Isaiah 6 is the famous vision… Continue reading

    February 9, 2025: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
  • Ethics

    Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV) 2Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal… Continue reading

    Ethics
  • Mark 9:38-50

    Another Exorcist 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a deed… Continue reading

    Mark 9:38-50
  • What does a pastor do all day?

    I’ve started a new call! I’m now the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC. It’s been a good and peaceful transition for me. The daily routine of a parish pastor is different from that of an Assistant to… Continue reading

    What does a pastor do all day?
  • Who is this?: Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

    On June 23rd, I had the gift of preaching at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aiken. They have three services; here’s the link to the 11am. Thanks to the fine folks in Aiken for their hospitality! The gospel starts about… Continue reading

    Who is this?: Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
  • What is Preaching, Anyway?

    Posting my sermon manuscripts on this blog has made me more aware of something that has always been true: The words on the page of my manuscript are not always the words that come out of my mouth. As with… Continue reading

    What is Preaching, Anyway?
  • Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B

    Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin were lovely hosts this weekend, and their online worship is wonderful at making sure everyone has the words. Nicodemus Visits Jesus 3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came… Continue reading

    Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B
  • Law and Relationship in the Ten Commandments: Lent 3B

    Hope Lutheran Church in Vance also meets at the American Legion in Manning, SC. They only record the gospel and sermon, which you can see on their YouTube Channel or here! Exodus 20:1-17, NRSV 1God spoke all these words: 2I am… Continue reading

    Law and Relationship in the Ten Commandments: Lent 3B
  • Taking Up Our Crosses: Lent 2B

    February 25, 2024 was Women’s Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pomaria. They have kindly posted the video here: https://fb.watch/qFNnr4e22_ Mark 8:31-38 31[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by… Continue reading

    Taking Up Our Crosses: Lent 2B