Sermon - Closing Chapel at LIS, Williamsburg

Closing Chapel at Lutheran Interparish School, Williamsburg, IA

2013.5.30

Occasion: The Feast of the Visitation of Our Lord (observed)

Text: Luke 1.39-56

In the Name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It really is all about Jesus. We want it to be all about us. Repent.

In Memoriam +Marilyn Elner Neuhaus+ 1932-2013

2013.5.28

St John's Ev LC, Victor, IA

In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Just about 81 years. 81 years ago she wasn't supposed to be alive. 81 years / of fighting death. (I don't need to recount all the struggles and tragedy and heartaches that Marilyn faced, you know them all better than I, you lived through them with her.) // How does a person live 81 years in such a condition like Marilyn lived? // Strength / and Hope.

Sermon - Holy Trinity.2013

St John 3.1-17 The Holy Trinity

St John's Ev LC, Victor, IA 2013.5.26

In the holy name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.

Such a powerful, divine Truth. Not three holies, but one holy—one, holy God.

This is the catholic faith. Whether you are Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Orthodox, or non-denominational. If you desire to be saved, this is the catholic, the “universal” faith that you must hold, keep, and believe. In other words, no one can be saved, unless he keeps this faith, and keeps the object of this faith, that is, the Holy Trinity.

Sermon - Pentecost.2013

St John 14.23-31 Pentecost

St John's Ev LC, Victor, IA 2013.5.19

In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Why do we celebrate Pentecost? It's an Old Testament, Israelite observance prescribed by the Mosaic Law in Exodus, chapter 34. There it is called the Feast of Weeks; seven weeks to be exact; actually seven weeks, plus one day to be exactly exact. / It was a required Feast Day, which meant that all able-bodied males must attend the ceremonies, which much later meant that some of them had to travel many miles up to Jerusalem (normally on foot, probably uphill both ways). For Israel, it was the celebration of the Harvest-time; each head of the household must bring his first-fruits as an acceptable offering to the Lord. For us Christians, / Jesus is that first-fruit. He was the once and for all time acceptable offering, made on our behalf. So I ask again, why do we celebrate Pentecost?

Sermon - Pentecost Eve.2013

John 14.15-21 Pentecost Eve

St John's Ev LC, Victor, IA 2013.5.12

In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tomorrow / is a Birthday Party. Of course, you are all invited. And why wouldn't you be? It's your party. For tomorrow / is Pentecost, / the Birthday of the Church. You, dearly beloved, are the Church; it's your Birthday Party. But more on that tomorrow.

Tonight / we prepare.