Lectionary Texts

Additional references used in sermon

Mark Yankoski’s website – Under the Overpass

This sermon is from the 10:30 AM service. I made major changes to the sermon between services so I encourage those who attended the 8 AM service to listen to this one. Given that I made changes and didn’t have much time to practice the sermon you will notice that it is a little rough around the edges..Mea culpa.

Lectionary Texts
Psalm 62
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

Additional texts and references used in sermon
Psalm 146
Mark 10:28-31
1 Corinthians 1:11-13

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Podcast:

Sermon Text

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,  (40)  and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  (41)  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,  (42)  and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  (43)  And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  (44)  For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  (45)  And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."  (46)  And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,  (47)  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  (48)  for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  (49)  for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  (50)  And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  (51)  He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;  (52)  he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;  (53)  he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.  (54)  He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,  (55)  as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."  (56)  And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Podcast:

Jesus was heading to his death as he gave these words to his friends – the disciples. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would be your parting words to your closest friends or your children?

What is your reaction to Jesus’ assertion that he is the One true vine, the true Israel and by implication – the fulfillment of God’s plans to bless all nations of the world?

One of Jesus’ favorite words was menō, often translated “remain in,” “stay in,” “rest in”, or “abide.” It describes a profound, intimate, and enduring relationship (John 8:31, John 14:10-11). The mutual indwelling between God and the believer is, an enduring, permanent, and eternal relationship (1 John 2:14-17). In what ways do you find yourself abiding in that which is ephemeral, inauthentic, dying, unfruitful, decaying, imperfect, or fading? How might your false attachments interfere with your experience of the fullness of joy? Of the images that Jesus uses in this text which ones give you the great sense of security and hope?

What are ways God is at work pruning you? In what ways has God been at work in you to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-26)?

Love:

Joy:

Peace:

Patience:

Kindness:

Goodness:

Faithfulness:

Gentleness:

self-control:

One of the reasons we can share in Christ’s joy is because we are cleansed by his word (John 15:3). Which words of Christ do you find particularly “cleansing”?

We can share Christ’s joy because by God’s give us BOTH humility about ourselves (John 15:5) and confidence in God (John 15:7). In what ways do you experience this humility and confidence? Are there times when you tend to experience one at the expense of the other? What is different about those times of imbalance?

We can share Christ’s joy because the Father Connects us with Love. What would it mean for you to love others as Jesus loved His disciples and as He has loved you (John13:34; John 15:12-13)? What are some specific acts of love that God might be calling you to do this week?

You can find discussion questions for this sermon HERE.

Here is the first of what I hope will be many sermon reflections in Mp3 format. God willing this podcast will help you to apply your life to the scriptures  in the days after the sermon. I am offering up additional prayers that you will read the text several times during the week  and talk (and pray!) with others about it as well.

I am still learning how to make these recordings and I find the process quite awkward and frustrating. I  invite you to offer up severe critiques of these podcasts as well as suggestions for how I can improve them. Click HERE to send me comments and ideas.

The Biblical text: Luke 15
Music: The kingdom of God – Music from Taize

You can listen to the reflections on this weeks text in MP3 format using the player below:

Several members of Peace joined over 50 walkers from eight different churches in the 2008 CROP Walk. This year the Knapton’s and Vojta’s raised $400 to fight hunger across the globe, and across town at Love in and St. Vinnie’s. We want to thank everyone at Peace who donated money for the effort!

We are especially grateful for the hard work of this year’s coordinators, Dennis Crombie, from the social ministry committee at Cross Lutheran Church, and Cairy Schreiber BSW, a social worker from Love, Inc.

The Burlington area has had a significant increase in the number of people using the food pantries this year and I hope you will consider how you can be part of supporting these vital ministries. Click on the link below and listen to an interview with Cairy as she tells us about this year’s CROP Walk and how the money will be used to fight hunger locally.

Today I interviewed Mary Zorn from the ELCA Urban Outreach Center in Kenosha. Mary tells us a little bit about herself, how the people at the Outreach Center find Christ in the people they serve, and about some of the many ways they reach out to those in need (Click HERE for list of programs). God willing we will get to hear from  the staff of the Outreach Center in the future, especially as they address the issues facing the poor in increasingly uncertain times. Read Matthew 25:31-46.

Over the years we have been blessed to partner with the people at Transitional Living Center (TLC) in following Christ’s command to serve those who cannot repay us (Luke 14:12-15; Matthew 25:31-46)

Today I interviewed Nancy Hodge, the executive director of the Transitional Living Center in Burlington. Nancy also ministers as a deacon in the Episcopal Church (ECUSA) on the staff at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Burlington.

In this interview we find out about Nancy and her background in Waukesha politics, her call to serve as a deacon in the Episcopal Church, the mission of TLC, the guests they serve, and how local churches can assist in this ministry.

For more information about TLC and its ministry to the homeless please call the TLC office at 262.767.1478