A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” In the midst of hopeless despair, the prophet Jeremiah reveals a beautiful vision of “the days that are surely coming,” when God will act decisively and unilaterally to establish a new covenant with his people. This glorious vision is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and yet, we are still waiting for the final restoration of all things. But it is here, in the “slog”, that the Word of God draws near to us again.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” God is not unlike my high school choir director, sprinting up the sculpture garden to find and bring home the one who is lost. God will not rest until we are found.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” God has been gracious to give us clarity about our mission. At St. Paul’s, we are forming people into the body of Christ. This fall we are renewing our friendships. As we look toward 2023, we are building our sense of belonging, growing our ability to minister to our members, and empowering each member to be a minister as well.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” God provides for us in all sorts of ways – he does not stint in sharing with us from all the gifts of creation. We are invited to use those gifts well, to invest them into our relationships and for the sake of God’s kingdom. Blessings abound!

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” Do you want to take hold of the life that really is life? The Apostle Paul asks this question, and then describes how to do this, how to take hold of true, abundant life. Instead of being trapped by senseless and harmful cravings, Paul encourages us to cultivate true contentment by offering praise upwards to God and generosity outward to our community.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” At the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus describes what it will look like when the Kingdom of God breaks in. It looks like one person, completely insignificant by the standards of day, unbound and set free to praise God. And by her praise, the woman frees the whole assembly to join in her doxology. This is what Jesus’ ministry is all about.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” When the sheep is brought home, when the coin is restored to its place, there is a great celebration. Even more so with people. The one who was lost and now found becomes themselves a source of joy and blessing. This is true in God’s kingdom, and it is true here on earth, too.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” The Christian life, what is means to follow Jesus, is about learning to walk the way of the Cross, which is the way of love. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus show us that true love is sacrificial and generative, and it’s only by looking backwards through time that we can begin to make sense of Jesus’ enigmatic teaching in today’s Gospel lesson.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” Who we are is a gift given by God. Your identity, your reason for being here on earth, is not something you have to figure out on your own. It is not so much a puzzle to be solved or a trial to be endured. Rather, it is a gift given to you, grace upon grace, love upon love.

A message from the series “Sermons during Pentecost.” Jesus says, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” Luke 12.50

Jesus is saying to us, I have come to give life, and to give it abundantly. He says to us, ‘I have seen your life, what you have made of it on your own. Let me give you mine.’