Moses is one of the strongest leaders in the Bible, famous for rescuing God’s people from Egypt and leading them through the wilderness. We might easily think of his life as an ongoing success story. Yet Moses faced plenty of challenges that are familiar to church leaders today. Here are seven lessons from his life […]
Lectionary for Aug. 29, 2021 14th Sunday after Pentecost Songs 2:8-13, Psalm 45 James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23 This week the lectionary presents stories of exiting from human-made enclosures—a castle and a tradition—and moving toward freedom. I want to be clear on the front end, these human constructs aren’t bad in and of themselves. They are […]
“Thoughts and prayers.” We’ve all heard this phrase in the wake of recent national tragedies, particularly in regard to gun violence, in what has become the routine offering of condolences from public figures to victims and their families. Critics suggest that citing only “thoughts and prayers,” without committing to tangible plans, is an insufficient way […]
The rules of driving are easy. A red light means stop, and a green light means go. Even young children who can’t drive yet know what these lights mean. However, sometimes when we follow Jesus, we get both red and green lights at the same time. So what should we do—stop or go? For the […]
When we think of leaders in the early church, the first two people who come to mind are probably Peter and Paul. Peter was the “blockhead” turned into “the rock.” Paul was the persecutor turned evangelist who arguably wrote around half of the New Testament. But there are plenty of other early leaders who are […]
“Won’t you be my neighbor?” That was the song and invitation from Fred Rogers during each episode of his popular TV series, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001. The trailer alone for the new documentary on Rogers—appropriately titled Won’t You Be My Neighbor—is full of powerful Rogers quotes about his outlook on […]
Week 5: Our new life Prayer passage: “By the baptism of Jesus’ death and resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you.” Scripture reading: Romans 6:1-11. Hymn: “Sing with All the Saints in Glory” (ELW, 426). Song: “Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher. […]
Week 4: Jesus’ baptism Prayer passage: “At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.” Scripture reading: Mark 1:9-11. Hymn: “You Are Mine” (ELW, 581). Song: “Well Pleased” by FFH. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus’ baptism happens at verse 9 of Chapter 1. The first eight verses of […]
Week 3: The Red Sea Prayer passage: “Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.” Scripture reading: Exodus 14:1-31. Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (ELW, 733). Song: “Let the Waters Rise” by Mikeschair. When the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt, life was not good. This was not the kind […]
