The Life of Lazarus
Lent 5A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Lazarus was dead. There was no sugar coating it. The scene Jesus and the disciples encounter at the home of Mary, Martha and the dead […]
Entries by Pastor Monte
No Heroes but Us
Lent 3A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Jesus and the disciples pass through Samaria on their way from Jerusalem north to Galilee. They took the shortest route –yet no self-respecting Rabbi would […]
Spirit of Restlessness
Lent 2A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Sometimes change comes when we, like Nicodemus, start to ask questions. Sometimes change simply knocks us off our horse like Paul on the road to […]
When We are Tested
Lent 1A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago We began worship with a walking meditation to symbolize the start of our Lenten journey. Following his baptism the Spirit propelled Jesus into the wilderness—a […]
Time to Get Real
Transfiguration A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Jesus and the disciples have walked six days, nearly a week. They are moving south from Galilee, through soft, shallow hills that mark the beginning […]
Human is Human is Human is Human
Epiphany 5A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago In 1630, Puritan John Winthrop preached one of the most famous sermons in American history. His words included this oft-quoted line: “For we must consider […]
Love, Love, Love
Epiphany 4A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly.” Micah 6:8 has long been tattoo fodder for Christians. It shouldn’t be edgy. But it is. In fact, all […]
Now is the Time for Choosing
Epiphany 3A-26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago ‘When Jesus heard that John had been arrested… he began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:12 & 17). […]
For Such a Time as This
Baptism of our Lord-A26 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” I remember standing to face the flag in kindergarten, hand over […]
Our Hearts Grow
First Sunday of Christmas- A25 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago When the Grinch stole Christmas, they say his very small heart grew four times that day once he heard the joyful singing […]