Episode 99: A Rocky Start

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Sermon on Isaiah 51:1-6

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. 3For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. 5I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. 6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.

Episode 77: A Psalm of Comfort in a Crisis

WELCOME TO LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION’S FIRST ZOOM WORSHIP SERVICE.   (This is an audio recording of a worship service held 03/22/2020 via Zoom. It was our first attempt at live remote worship in response to the for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. )

Thank you for joining us this 4TH SUNDAY IN LENT! The changes in the world in the past week are dizzying.  And now here we are… meeting via the web as we shelter in our homes. We are learning…  and expect to get better at this with practice. In the meantime, IT FEELS GOOD TO CONNECT… to be together in worship… to draw strength from God and one another, and to share our prayers.

I am here.  We are here.  God is here.  Amen.

PSALM 23  -- a Psalm of Trust.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (KJV)

Spoken in the midst of a dire crisis…

Metaphor … “the darkest valley”  (a place of danger and death) Or  “a table … in the presence of my enemies.” 

In the original Hebrew of Psalm 23, there are exactly twenty six words before, "Thou art with me." And another 26 words after… as if to say, God being with us is at the very center of our lives.

Jesus was called "Emmanuel," which means "God with us."     We are not alone down here. The whole Gospel is that God is with us. God doesn't shelter us from trouble.   God walks with us and carries us through the pain.

Sheep are vulnerable creatures. The are easy prey for lions and wolves and cliffs and crevices. They wander into danger. The shepherd provides for them… leads them…  and is prepared to defend them… and rescue them from danger.

“The Lord is my shepherd”… God will provide.

"I shall lack for nothing," or "I shall lack no good thing."

"What really matters that I do not have?" 

In the midst of the deepest darkest valley…  God’s light shines. There is new life emerging…

Even in the deep darkness amid the shadow of death… BLESSINGS ABOUND

WE ARE A RESURRECTION PEOPLE… WITH A RESURRECTION PROMISE AND A RESURRECTION HOPE

And when the end comes:  We shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Episode 70: Connected by Stardust

Second in a 3 part series for a Season of Crestion

Episode 21: Guided by the Spirit

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry...  So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Episode 7: Christ the King

Sermon Delivered 11-26-2017 for Christ the King Sunday. Based on Matthew 25:31-46