Elim Lutheran Church - Recorded Worship

First Sunday of Advent November 28, 2021

11/28/2021

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16 / Psalm 25:1-10/ 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 / Luke 21:25-36

Introduction: Advent Is About The “Coming Days.” God’s People Have Always Lived In Great Expectation, But That Expectation Finds Specific, Repeated Enunciation In The Texts Appointed For These Four Weeks. The Ancients Anticipated A “Righteous Branch To Spring Up For David.” The Thessalonians Awaited “The Coming Of Our Lord Jesus With All The Saints.” Jesus’ Contemporaries Hoped For The Time “To Stand Before The Son Of Man.” With Them We Eagerly Await The Coming Days: Another Christmas Celebration, A Second Coming, And The Advent Of Christ In Word And Supper.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Christ the King Sunday November 21, 2021

11/21/2021

Scripture: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / Psalm 93/ Revelation 1:4b-8 / John 18:33-37
Introduction: Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, the people still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though he is nothing like an earthly king. His authority comes from the truth to which he bears witness, and those who recognize the truth voluntarily listen to him. We look forward to the day he is given dominion, knowing his victory will be the nonviolent victory of love.
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

“Beware that No One Leads You Astray” November 14, 2021

11/14/2021

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3 / Psalm 16 / Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25 / Mark 13:1-8
Introduction: November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. It is fitting, then, that the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised forgiveness. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love.
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

All Saints' Day November 7, 2021

11/7/2021

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9 / Psalm 24 / Revelation 21:1-6a / John 11:32-44
Introduction: Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrates his power over death. On All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find there a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.
Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Reformation Sunday October 31, 2021

10/31/2021

Scripture:  Jeremiah 31:31-34 / Psalm 46 / Romans 3:19-28 / John 8:31-36
Introduction:  Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson - "Why I am a Lutheran"

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

“Jesus, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”

10/24/2021

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7–9 / Psalm 126 / Mark 10:46–52

Introduction: Can we pray the way Bartimaeus prays? People try to hush him up because by addressing Jesus as “Son of David” he is making a politically dangerous claim that Jesus is the rightful king. Could our prayers ever be heard as a threat to unjust powers that be? Bartimaeus won’t give up or go away quietly, but repeats his call for help more loudly. Do we ask so boldly? And are our prayers an honest answer to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Sermon: The Rev. Kathryn Gulbranson

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Who is most Important? October 17, 2021

10/17/2021

Scripture: Psalm 91:9-16 / Mark 10:35-45
Introduction: Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

New Life Band October 10, 2021

10/10/2021

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8 / Mark 9:36-37
Introduction: We welcome the New Life Band from Arusha, Tanzania, who has been a ministry partner with Elim since 2003. With their "Changing Lives" video, the New Life Band will inspire and teach us about the message of God through their music, stories, and testimonials.
Message: New Life Band, Speakers: Pastor John Valentine, Pastor Tim Kellgren, Ondo Mabondo, Co-Founder New Life Band

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Bring the Little Children to Him October 3, 2021

10/3/2021

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24 / Psalm 8/ Mark 10:2-16
Introduction: Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Good Being Done in Jesus' Name September 26, 2021

9/23/2021

Scripture:  Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29/ Psalm 19:7-14 / James 5:13-20 / Mark 9:38-50
Introduction:  Someone who isn’t part of Jesus’ own circle is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and the disciples want him stopped. They appeal to Jesus, as Joshua did to Moses about the elders who prophesied without official authorization. Like Moses, Jesus refuses to see this as a threat. Jesus welcomes good being done in his name, even when it is not under his control. The circle we form around Jesus’ word must be able to value good being done in ways we wouldn’t do it, by people we can’t keep tabs on.
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson -  "God's Power-Sharing Program"

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©2021 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

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