Transfiguration A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago 500 years before Christ, Rabbis called Mount Tabor “the navel of the world.” The peak rises abruptly, yet gently, from the plain like the belly of a pregnant woman. It is modest, covered in pine, about 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It rises almost 2,000 feet above […]
Epiphany 6A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago I saw hearts everywhere this week. Hearts, flowers, cupcakes, and balloons in shiny red and white colors. The playgroup had a Valentine’s Day party. I stumbled on another at Wesley Place. The Tuesday night Compass kids sent Immanuel a Valentine’s card on Facebook. Kari’s cousin is in town. We had […]
5th Sunday After Epiphany Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world (Mtt. 5:13a & 14a). Jesus used two memorable metaphors of grace in his Sermon on the Mount. Yet, I don’t thing modern people really know what he meant. Sure, maybe you’ve experienced […]
Presentation of our Lord Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago By now I’m sure most of America is getting ready for the big day. Yes—you know what I mean. It’s Groundhog Day. How many saw the 1993 movie with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell? So, did I. According to German folklore transplanted to America in 1887 by Lutherans […]
Epiphany 3A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). Simon and Andrew, then James and John, heard and followed Jesus. Perhaps they meant to follow only for a moment, or just to satisfy their curiosity. Yet moments would become hours, then days, […]
Epiphany 2A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago I don’t remember when I first looked up and saw the hand on the roof, but I know I was here for years without noticing it. It took someone to point it out to me—and there it was! In the same place most churches have a cross or mount a […]
Christmas Eve-19 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all that fills it.” (Psalm 96:11) “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) The story of Jesus’ birth is about union with […]
Advent 4A-19 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago I hatched a plan to surprise my parents with a fresh cut Christmas tree. I think I imagined it to be a proud moment. I was all grown up. I was five years old. Had I been successful, I probably wouldn’t remember it so well. Shame leaves an indelible imprint […]
Advent 3A-19 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago December 15, 2019 John the Baptist paces back and forth in his narrow cell. Imprisoned by King Herod, he questions how he lived his life. Last Sunday John stood beside the Jordan preaching in the wilderness. He seemed so sure of himself. But now that he faces a stupid death, […]
Advent 2A-19 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1). With beautiful words the prophet Isaiah describes his vision of a future king, like David, who rules with “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of […]