Eat, Drink, Breathe
Lent 3C-25 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live” says the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 55:3). “Unless you repent you will perish,’ […]
Entries by Pastor Monte
The Wilderness Road
Lent 1C-19 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago The first Sunday in Lent feels a long way from the cherished stories of incarnation we read this Christmas. Mary spoke to Gabriel. An angel […]
On the Mountain and in the Valley
Transfiguration C25 March 2, 2025 Jesus got up early. He took with him Peter, James, and John. It was a day like any other. It was a day just like […]
Looking for Loopholes?
Epiphany 7C-24 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Several colleagues remarked to […]
Just Another Day in the Peaceable Kingdom
Epiphany 6C-25 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago February 16, 2025 If only Jesus had had more days like this. It was beautiful. Jesus stood among a multitude of diverse peoples from the […]
In the Twinkling of an Eye
Epiphany 5C-25 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Paul wrote, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Paul should know. The Spirit of Jesus […]
A More Excellent Way
Epiphany 4C-25 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago They were filled with rage and drove him out of town so that they might hurl him off the cliff (Luke 4:28-29. What made the […]
An Impossible Possibility
Epiphany 3C-25 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Today. It’s an extraordinary claim, isn’t it? But surely, Jesus doesn’t mean right now? […]
The Song of Water and Fire
Baptism of our Lord -C24 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago When Lindsey Crittenden was a little girl, she was practicing that magic trick that is the stuff of childhood — floating on your back […]
In Abba’s House
Christmas 1C-24 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago ‘Chosen ones, holy and beloved… clothe yourselves in love” (Colossians 3:12 & 14). A thousand years before the birth of Jesus Hanna brought Samuel to […]