Blog Archives

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

Audio-Only Version

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

Audio Only Version

“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

Audio-only version:

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

Audio Only Version

Recorded Worship

First Sunday of Advent November 28, 2021

Christ the King Sunday November 21, 2021

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

All Saints' Day November 7, 2021

Archives