Parsing out the Incarnation

 

A lot going on in this sermon.  

Righteous can mean mercy > strict adherence to the law. 

What "fully human, fully divine" means. 

And more!

CLICK HERE

IMAGE CREDIT

Saint Joseph from OSLC’s Nativity, 2022.  Photo by Lance Henderson.

What sort of justice does the Messiah bring?

 Many believed the prophets foretold a violent punishment of the unrighteous with the coming of the messiah. Perhaps even John the Baptist.  But Jesus informs him that the Advent of the Messiah will look very different.

ADVENT 3 Sermon

IMAGE CREDIT: USMC firing Tow Missle, 2005.  Image is public domain and found at Wikimedia Commons.

Repentance? Got it! How?

After several weeks of tech issues (and one Sunday off on vacation), I am finally back to the online sermon game.    Oddly, I had a funeral yesterday and thought I exhausted my homiletical muscles for the weekend.   I had little to none driving to church this morning. I informed the Holy Spirit that I was going to need help this morning in the pulpit.   BOOM! Delivered! Thanks be to God. Try to pick up how many events in the sermon are events that had happened this morning. 

Listen on Soundcloud

 

IMAGE CREDIT: Majestic Milky Way, posted by Chalizham.  Image used with permision under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 and found at Wikimedia Commons.

Different Authorities in the Church is Problematic

 

The danger of preaching on Reformation Day is giving a sermon about ol' Marty rather than Jesus.    He gets a nod, but hopefully I stayed on track.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/221030-reformation-day

IMAGE CREDIT

Martin Luther, 1529, by Lucas Cranach the Elder.   Image is public domain and found at Wikimedia Commons.

The Jews aren't the Problem

 

Antisemitism can be a easy trap to fall into.   Beware.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/221023-20th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

The Pharisee and the Publican. 1873 by unknown. Image is public domain and found at Wikimedia Commons.

Someone wants you to fight with Him

 

God wants you to contend with him.   Don't go back to being a trickster.   Get back to God and mix it up!

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/221016-19th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel, 1855, by Gustave Doré. Image is public domain and found at Wikimedia Commons.

Mustard seed = because they need help

 

I walked into the pulpit feeling pretty unprepared.   Ultimately, I think it became a decent sermon.   Thanks, Holy Spirit!

 

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/221002-17th-sun-after-pentecost

When a Parable Is Not So Obvious

 

Things are not always so straight forward.  This parable has little to do do with poor people and rich people.   

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220918-15th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Parable of Lazarus and the Rick Man,  c. 1880, by Lawrence W. Ladd.  The image is public domain and was found at commons.wikimedia.org.

The Wet Life

 

We had a baptism today so it greatly informs how we listened to the Jesus' Parable of the Dishonest Manager.

IMAGE CREDIT

Baptism from Sundaysandseasons.com.  Used with permission under o Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # SAS017847.

A New and Curious True Story

 

Would you let a garage door lead you into sin?   Oddly enough, I did and it was shockingly easy.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220911-14th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

The Garage Door, 2022, original digital photograph taken by Lance Henderson.

Age = Wisdom = Humility? Sometimes not.

 The sermon on Jesus' teaching that humility and wisdom are linked.   The lithograph was chosen because the children's sermon was going to be this famous story of Solomon's wisdom.   Sadly it didn't happen

 https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220828-12th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Judgement of Solomon, c. 1857, lithograph by unknown.  The image is public domain and was found at commons.wikimedia.org.

Tough Times Bring Out Our Worst

 

After the Babylonian captivity, things in the renewed Judah were pretty awful--just like in other periods of history.

My sermon on Isaiah 58:9b-14.

 

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220821-11th-sun-after-pentecost

Image of almost worthless cash in the Weimer Republic.   Image is believe to be not copyrighted. 

The Utility of Faith

 

Picking up off last week's sermon which defined faith according to Hebrews, this sermon talks about the utility of faith. The passage is the one that mentions the "great cloud of witnesses."  Samson (listed in the passage) wasn't a good man in many respects, but he was faithful.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220814-10th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Samson Fights a Lion, c. 1520 by Cranach the Elder.  The image is public domain and was found at commons.wikimedia.org.

Follow the Recipe

 

One never knows what will inspire the preacher.   The writer of Hebrews talks about faith and Bill Burr talks about baking on YouTube's Hot Ones.   There are some comparisons. 

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220807-9th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Bill Burr on Hot Ones.  Image uploaded to Facebook by All Things Comedy on November 18, 2018.

Pfffft!

 

One of those days when I really was not sure what I was going to preach about.   I call those days "flying by the seat of the Holy Spirit".   When the sermon works, I cannot take any credit, so I just give a prayer of thanks.

You can hear the sermon here.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220731-8th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Cain slaying Abel, c. 1609  by Peter Paul Rubens. The image is public domain and was found at commons.wikimedia.org.

The Cain & Abel story was not one of the readings.   If you want to familiarize yourself in it, it's in Genesis 4. 

There ARE Better Ways to Pray!

 

We do we struggle with our prayers?   Our Lord told us how to pray.   Because the Lord's Prayer we use in worship is a combination of the version found in Luke and Matthew with a doxology added on early in the Christian Tradition, this sermon morphed into a sermon on that rather than the text only from Luke.   

That's okay with me.    

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220724-7th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

The Lord’s Prayer, c. 1890 by James Tissot, The Brooklyn Museum has the original in its collection and declares the image to be public domain. The image was found at commons.wikimedia.org.

"Don't be a Martha" Is NOT the Lesson Here

 

Poor Martha, she takes a lot of grief from the readers of the story. 

Here is my take on this Luke 10 story.

 https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220717-6th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

Christ in the home of Mary and Martha, 1600, by El Greco. Image is public domain and found at commons.wikimedia.org.

A Familiar Midrash. "Mid-what?!?"

We missed last week because my recorder ran out of juice.   Here's the most recent:

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220710-5th-sun-after-pentecost

IMAGE CREDIT

The Good Samaritan, undated, from Harold Copping in MeisterDrucke. Image is public domain and found at commons.wikimedia.org.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

 

This was a fun one!  My sermon on Luke 9:51- 62 (recorded) with references to Galatians 5:1, 13-25 and 1 Kings 19: 15-16, 19-21 (not recorded).

I got to make truck sounds from the pulpit! 

IMAGE CREDIT

Ploughing in Taminadu, 2012, by Thamizhpparithi Maari. Used with permission of Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0. Image found at commons.wikimedia.org.

The Dreaded "E" Word (Not Exorcism)

 

Here is a link to my June 19 sermon audio.

 

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220619-2nd-sun-after-pentecost-1

IMAGE CREDIT

Exorcism of the Gerasene, 2016 by Sant'Apollinare Nuov-Ravenna.  Used with permission of Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0.  Image found at commons.wikimedia.org.

The Trinity is not like Water, Ice and Steam

 

If last week's Pentecost was for History Buffs, then, rejoice Theology Wonks, it's Holy Trinity Sunday and you are in for a treat!

Google the Athanasian Creed to read this important but poorly understood creed of the church.

For my sermon on the day and the NT reading of Romans 5:1-5.  Use the link below.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220612-holy-trinity

IMAGE CREDIT

Triquetra,an ancient symbol of the Trinity.  The image is listed as public domain and found at commons.wikimedia.org.

Pentecost--How the Holy Spirit Reacts to the Good News of Jesus

 

My sermon for Pentecost.   History buffs may like this one.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220605-pentecost

 

IMAGE CREDIT

Descent of the Holy Spirit by Mechelen St - Jan Lucas Franchoys, Permission to use by Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0.  Image found at commons.wikimedia.org.

Jesus Gives Our Unity

 Obviously, I haven't been posting here as of late.    We stopped video of our services, long story but I say, "THANKS BE TO GOD!"

We have continued to upload audio.   I don't know why I wasn't promoting it here.  But here is this week's sermon.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220529-easter-7

 

IMAGE CREDIT

Illustration from “The pictorial Bible and commentator: presenting the great truths of God's word in the most simple, pleasing, affectionate, and instructive manner”, 1878, Authors: Cobbin, Ingram, 1777-1851 March, Daniel, 1816-1909 Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893 Stretton, Hesba, 1832-1911.  Public Domain.   Digital image found at https://commons.wikimedia.org. 

Why Did Thomas Doubt?

 

A return to some sound issues for the Easter Season  (*sign*)

I would suggest sticking to the audio if you want to hear the sermon. 

 

Today’s homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is John 20:19-31.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220424-easter-2

 

The full Worship service YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/gv6dxtRS5Ck

 

 Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

The Idle Tale That Was The Truth

 

The following are the links to electronic versions of Sunday Worship experience for Sunday, April 17, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Luke 24:1-12.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220417-easter-sunday

 

The full Worship service YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/N4Hh0Q9nxMM

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

 The Resurrection of Christ by Paolo Veronese, circa 1570.  Image is public domain; digital file from commons.wikipedia.org.

A High High Before a Low Low

 

The following are the links to electronic versions of Sunday Worship experience for Sunday, April 10, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Luke 19:28-40.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220410-palm-sunday

 

The full Worship service YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/QaYS2S9RJjg

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

Palm Branch, 2016 by borges used with permission of Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication. Image found at commons.wikimedia.org.

Some things smell...

 

I LOVE the big red hat on the the guy in this picture.  Maybe it is supposed to be Judas Iscariot sporting his new lid with money he has stolen from the community purse.

The following are the links to electronic versions of Sunday Worship experience for Sunday, April 3, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today's homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is John 12:1-8.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220403-lent-5

 

The full Worship service YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/NNqxReh1wbg

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

A Tough Question, Indeed

 I have been failing to put our weekly video devotion series here on my blog.   You can find others from the series at our YouTube Channel. It's been a fun and challenging exercise. 

Here is this week's:

https://youtu.be/I5ykE5cQafM

What's up with Jacob's Ladder?

 

The following are the links to electronic versions of Evening Prayer worship experience for Wednesday, March 30, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Last night’s homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Genesis 28:10-17:

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220316-evening-prayer

 

The full Evening Prayer worship on YouTube is found here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-kp_XzMT-o&t=19s

 

Worship Bulletin is located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

 

IMAGE CREDIT

Jacob’s Ladder by Jacob Chayat, 2014.  Used by permission of Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0. Image obtained from commons.wikimedia.org.

Who Are You in the Parable and Who You Are Called to Be?

 

A bit of a celebration today as the service went off with only one tech glitch.

The following are the links to electronic versions of Sunday Worship experience for Sunday, March 27, 2022. 

 

Today's s homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Genesis Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220316-evening-prayer

 

The full Worship service YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/zrw-H6OkDRI

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael Away

 Been lots of Abraham this Lent.    It is a fun series for a pastor to work on.

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our Evening Prayer experience this past Wednesday, March16, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Last night’s homily on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Genesis 21:8-20.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220316-evening-prayer

 

The full Evening Prayer Service is on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/U_XchUdE0P0

 

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

God and Abram Cut a Covenant

 

More Abram!

A bit of a frustrating day in tech again.   Everything was going fine but I didn't know my computer was working off its battery.  Midway through the service, the power saver mode kicked in.    *Sigh*

Sermon got recorded on audio though.   That was a relief.   I was pleased for that.

The following is the link to the electronic versions Pastor Henderson’s sermon today, Sunday, March 13, 2022.

 

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Genesis 15:1-12, 17,18:

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220313-lent2

 

We had some technical difficulties today, so no video of today’s service is available.

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

The Call of Abram

 

So we began our Lenten Evening Prayer service.   I had so much fun with the OT reading on Joseph a few weeks back that I decided to look at the Patriarchs of Genesis as the theme. 

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our Evening Prayer experience this past Wednesday, March 9, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Genesis 12:1-9. (not recorded)

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220309-evening-prayer

 

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/3IpdFhIl4HA

 

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

From Bible primer, Old Testament, for use in the primary department of Sunday schools, by Adolph Hult, 1919.  No known copyright restrictions. Image obtained from commons.wikimedia.org.

Being in the Wilderness Makes You an Easy Target

We changed our liturgy for Lent to include a different Confession & Forgiveness.  It's a winner.   I always like to highlight or use new pieces of the liturgy in my sermon.  

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our worship experiences this Sunday, March 6, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Luke 4:1-13.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220306-lent-1

 

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/bPBVjhD_V34

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

Maybe a Better Idea than Giving Up Chocolate

Bet you never knew I had a part-time gig as a forehead model!

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our worship experiences this Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Psalm 51.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220302-ash-wednesday

 

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/9YuOYQDqs5U

Ashen Forehead 2022 Photo Credit: Lance Henderson

Transfiguration--The Glimpse of What Comes after Our Wilderness

 

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our worship experiences this week, February 27, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Luke 9:28-36 (recorded)

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220227-transfiguration-of-our-lord

 

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/ThWWDAfVSME

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

Transfiguration by A.N. Mironov, 2018; Used by permission of Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0. Image downloaded from commons.wikimedia.org. 

"It's all part of God's plan..." can be some tricky theology

 Does it bother when someone tells you "It's all part of God's plan after something horrific occurs?  Me too.

TODAY’s LINKS

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our worship experiences this week, February 20, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

 

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only). The reading is Genesis 45:3-11, 15.   It did not get recorded, so please read it before listening to the sermon.

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220220-epiphany-7

 

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/0gxZOp8bQek

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

Joseph the All-Comely in the style of Orthodox Iconography, available at https://www.etsy.com/listing/1101311419/saint-joseph-the-all-comely-hand-painted

On the Study of Psalms & answering "Who is 'The Man'?"

I had a lot of fun with this sermon. It was kind of a mix of Bible Study and preaching.   The photo is the mini-guide handout that I mention in the sermon.

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only).  Sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Luke 5:1-11

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220213-epiphany-6

 

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/zg1YjUmQV9M

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

Being an Apostle Started at This Very Moment, and Continues Today

 

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our worship experiences this week, February 6, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only).  Sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Luke 5:1-11

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220206-epiphany-5

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/Xb6cSUjoGJg

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

Sailing Boat with Cross, Detail from stained glass of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, West Columbia, South Carolina.  Photo credit: Lance Henderson, 2022.

It is a holy man that has a chance to clap back, but doesn't

 

The following are the links to electronic versions of two of our worship experiences this week, January 30, 2022. These links are particularly useful if you have difficulty in watching worship live.

Today’s sermon on Soundcloud (Audio Only).  Sermon on Luke 4:14-21:

https://soundcloud.com/user-947067404/220130-epiphany-4

Sunday’s Full Worship Service on YouTube is found here.

https://youtu.be/-faJ5zr1V3w

 

Worship Bulletin, Celebrate with scripture readings, and Announcements can be located at http://oursaviour.net/on the menu under News and Resources.

 

Thank you for watching, listening, and praying.

IMAGE CREDIT

Icon2Epiphany4C(BW) From SundaysandSeasons.com—Permission to use this image obtained through Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # SAS017847.  All rights reserved.