Galesburg First Lutheran

In Jesus last hours with his disciples, he prays that they might be "One."   It seems to be God's vision from Genesis "that they might be one,"  to Revelation's vision of all creation, all tribes and nations around the throne,  that that there be a "oneness" about the whole creation.  Today, when we look around and see creation, and nations, and families torn apart, we might ask "where is our hope?"   The answer:  Hope still abounds.  It's a promise.

How did the growth of the early church seemingly spread like wild fire?  It wasn't necessarily by miraculous healings.  It certainly wasn't with flashy "mega-church" preaching, or "church growth" initiatives.  Sociologists, studying church history say it was much more basic than that.  It was as simple as Jesus said it would be.  People noticed Christians loving their neighbors...even the more unlikable ones, even the contagious ones.  Who would have thought that Jesus would have been right about that whole "love" thing?

Have you ever read a story so good that it drew you in and you became part of that story in your mind?  Well, we have a story so good, that we come back to church week after week to hear more.  The good news is that this story is in the non-fiction department, and our names really are written in it!

Easter Sunday, 2013 According to the Gospel of Luke, the empty tomb was not a symbol of faith.  Quite the contrary.  It was a sign of unbelief!  "To them it seemed an idle tale."  So, where do we find our faith on Easter?  The same place the women at the tomb and the rest of the disciples found faith...

Maundy Thursday, 2013.  This night in Holy Week is named for the Latin word, "maundatum" from which we get English words like "mandatory" and "mandate."  It comes from the teachings of Jesus at his Last Supper, particularly, his command to love.  He made it clear to the disciples that the world would know who they were following, if they would just exhibit love about all else. It is mandatory.

Part of a Lenten series presented by Church Women United, in Galesburg, this sermon was fifth in an ecumenical series on "Facing the Cross."  Location, First Christian Church, Galesburg

The scribes and Pharisees were "grumbling" about Jesus, saying "This fellow welcomes SINNERS and eats with them!"  Jesus responds by telling a story about an outrageously extravagant Father  who spares no expense in welcoming home a wayward child. We're all really grateful Jesus welcomes sinners.  We're so grateful, we throw a reunion party in His honor every Sunday. Based on Luke 15

Jesus answers questions about suffering?  Why do people suffer?  Where is God when people suffer?  And, if you feel like you are "up to your ears" in fertilizer, does it mean that God's working on you?

You are dust.  That's the bad news.  The good news, is that God took ordinary dust, molded it together into the shape of humans and breathed life into Adam and Eve.  The better news...  God took the lifeless dust of the crucified  Jesus and breathed "new creation" into  him so that eternity could be opened to all.

...Because that's how many blessings God's got planned for you.  God's promise to Abraham and Sarah are fulfilled in Jesus for all.  Lent 2, 2013