Pastor’s Blog
Sermons from Immanuel Lutheran Chicago
Sermons from Immanuel Lutheran Chicago
Immanuel is a member congregation of the Evengelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) “This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Address
1500 W Elmdale Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Phone/Fax
773-743-1820
773-743-1849
Email/Web
churchonelmdale@gmail.com
www.immanuellutheranchicago.org
Gospel Medicine
SermonChrist the King Sunday Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago In a far-away land that “is somehow not so far away,” one night a truth fell from the stars. And as it fell, it broke into two pieces—one piece blazed off through the sky and the other fell straight to the ground. One day a man stumbled upon […]
God’s Wisdom in Foolish Times
SermonProper 27A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Intern Justin Perkins, preacher “Keep awake,” Christ tells us in Matthew’s Gospel. “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” How did those words sit with you this morning? Almost to the very moment Jesus speaks this phrase, it seems, religious authorities, in concert with the […]
Just Breathe
SermonAll Saints-A20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Ok breathe. Take a breath. Blessed are you, Jesus said. Beloved, remember each day begins in love. Jesus sermon on the mount seems tailor made for me this week, in these restless and fitful days of pandemic, social upheaval, and the looming presidential election. Blessed are you. Just breathe. The […]
There is a Storm Today
SermonProper 25A-20-Reformation Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago It’s Reformation Sunday 2020. The church is decked out in red. A Mighty Fortress is our featured hymn. But there is no timpani drum, no brass band, no trumpet this year. The church is mostly empty this morning. Like you, I’m at home, as is the lector, and assisting minister. […]
Come You That Are Thirsty Now
SermonProper 23A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago “The Lord changed his mind” (Exodus 32:14). It might be the most surprising sentence in scripture. God changed his mind. God the all-knowing, the all-powerful, the eternal, flew off the handle. God decided to wipe out the children of Abraham and Sarah where they camped at the foot of Mt. […]
The View from Mt. Nebo
SermonProper 22A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago Mt. Sinai was wrapped in smoke. Thunder and lightning and a thick cloud covered the mountain. A blast of a trumpet so loud it made all the people tremble. (Exodus 19:16). The people were afraid and stood at a distance when God handed down the Ten Commandments to Moses. They […]
Say Yes. Live Yes
SermonProper 21A-20 Immanuel Lutheran, Chicago I said yes but I meant no. It was years ago at camp. Sky Ranch is a high-altitude Lutheran bible camp. In the mid-1970’s, the nearest pop machine was at the ranger station in Pingree Park, a mile and a half hike away. A kid named Evan asked me to […]