Christ has RISEN! He is our Risen Savior! We REJOICE that our Lord is Alive! We hope that you will enjoy this story of a Rag Man who in many ways is similar to the One that took upon our sins.

Paul calls followers of Jesus, "God's Workmanship." We are created to participate in God's plan for creation and the church. They question is - how does that participation look in your life?

What kind of noise have we let into our lives in order to avoid listening to the voice of God?

Jesus calls us to pick up a cross and follow him. So we are crucifers to the world and when we carry the cross each day we also carry His message.

Spiritual growth is often nurtured in a deserted place.

After the death of Moses, Joshua is tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. God has a promised land in store for each of us and for this congregation.

Today’s sermon gives you the opportunity to think about what cross bearing might look like in your life today, and to commit to some action perhaps a random act of kindness, as a step toward cross-bearing.

Jesus assures us with the promise, "I am the resurrection and the life." As individuals and as the church he is constantly leading us into new life.

As we begin our ministry together we are assured of God's presence, blessing, and power.

In the face of deep darkness and need of ours, Jesus is not silent. He speaks; he meets us in darkness and speaks God’s promises. 

Seeing the Judean desert, the wilderness in which Jesus was tempted with my own eyes is very powerful and a blessing, but the better blessing is having these words from the Gospel of Matthew that tell me 100% what happened: what Jesus did for me and you to guarantee your salvation and mine. 

This was a busy weekend of activity in our nation’s capital. A lot of people were expressing themselves. What will Monday bring?

Epiphany is the season in the church year that shares the stories of Jesus' life that helped to reveal him to be God's son, the Messiah. Today we look at the baptism of Our Lord to hear how God revealed His Son. Then we look at a story from the early church that shows how that reality gets played out.

A service of Lesson and Carols.

We’ve seen the Christmas movie. But, we missed something. Do you know what it is? How does it impact your life? Once you get it, do you get it?

Waiting..."with child"..."with dad"..."with prophecies"..."with God". How do you wait?

None of us are perfect, but can we be genuine?

What does God’s Kingdom have to do with the animal kingdom?

Rudolph may be the most famous reindeer of all but who is the most famous person of all? Whose arrival do you anticipate in this time leading up to Christmas?

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. Right. Got it. But what does it have to do with a chair? 

What do you call "them?" Some call "them" convicts, ex-cons, offenders, ex-offenders, criminals, inmates, probationers ... while some others call them stupid, bad, hopeless, unlovable, unloved, disgusting, and gross!! At the Community of St. Dysmas, they call them "members." Today, on Christ the King Sunday, we welcome Gerry Rickel, Pastor of St. Dysmas congregation, another community of forgiven sinners, who happen to live in a prison building. Today's sermon is in an unusual format of an interview between Pastor Gerry Rickel and Rev. Dr. Michael McQuaid.

Our veterans are men and women of great courage and humility who have been willing to walk in harm’s way in order to defend and protect the rights and liberties of others.  They are not interested in personal or national gain but in the preservation of peace and order.  What they do they do in order to protect their neighbors, which is a true expression of Christian love and consequently a Christian calling.  They deserve to be honored and recognized for their service to their country and their fellow man.

On this “All Saints Sunday,’ do we feel “makarioi”-ed?  First we need to know what that word means.  Listen up…

What makes you really free?

Sometimes walls sound like such a good idea, such as putting up a barrier to keep the dog out of the new grass you are growing. Other times, we discover those very walls close us in and cut us off from community. What is the good news Jesus teaches us in this story about how to get out of our walls?

Sure, today's story is about persistence. Sure it is also about prayer. What does it say about God? And how does that impact what we believe?

In midst of _________, Jesus gives directions and the lepers respond with _________, that demonstrates their _________ in him. Then, they saw the _________ _________, & one returned to _________ the healer, an act which demonstrated the leper’s faith in Jesus’ healing action, which brought _________, otherwise called “_________.” Listen to the sermon online to complete the thoughts.

Last week, we looked at the fact that you cannot take your wealth with you to Heaven, but we considered what we could take. Today we look at the reality of time associated with wealth.

Sometimes, Jesus’ teachings are easy to understand: for example, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” But, then there are texts like today’s that can leave us scratching our heads. But, there is a point and the point is there: You can’t love both – so, which will you love?

A shepherd and a sheep, a woman and a coin -- sounds like the beginning of an interesting joke, but it’s not. It’s Jesus’ way of getting at what charges God’s heart and how Jesus calls us to let that guide our actions. Today, on this 15th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on US soil, we honor First Responders who embody today’s lesson.

Jesus challenges his disciples to let go of those relationships or material possessions that try to shape or become the focus of our lives. Jesus is meant to be our center! Are we willing to let go and let God be in control?

With whom do you eat? Jesus teaches about humility and hospitality. Others in our culture today seem to be lifting up the opposites. How do you behave at God’s banquet and whom do you invite to it?

For the time it takes a person to be born and eventually graduate from high school, this lady that Jesus pulls out of the crowd was bent over. In a matter of moments, Jesus heals her. What do we do with the moments we have when we encounter other people?

The choices we make-foolish or wise?

Two sisters. Two perspectives. Many demands. Some choices. Into what do you invest yourself?

Today we hear from eight of our youth how they witnessed, experienced and share the gospel mercy during their YouthWorks Mission Trip in Raleigh, NC, June 19-24, 2016. We invest time into teaching our youth this message of love because they live in a day-to-day world, as we saw in the national news this week, where there are many people who resort to violence to deal with thoughts and emotions. In Contrast, Jesus calls us to do otherwise. So, we look to Jesus to teach us how to be good neighbors.

What does spelunking have to do with Jesus? What does Jesus mean when he says the harvest is plentiful? Will you help to ask the Lord to send out laborers? Will you be one of them?

In the midst of a scary world we have answers, don't we? They come from Jesus and him teaching his followers what it means to live as free, baptized, faithful people. How do we teach and show our children who are newly baptized to be followers of Jesus? As parents, the church community and Godparents, we are Called to Follow and become examples for our children and for others.

You never know when or where Jesus is going to turn up. He just might come to visit me or you with an offer of healing and new life with the power to make it happen. May we be open to what Jesus might do in us.

I can hear the complaints now as people retold today’s event to others: “She did what?!!” “He said what???” Two sinners. Two attitudes. How do forgiveness and love interact?

What do we do when we walk into the midst of someone's pain? We get some insight from an incident in Jesus' own life.

In the midst of the anxieties of life, Trinity Sunday is all about celebrating how God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in relationship with each other and model such relating for us. As we place greater and greater trust in the Triune God that Jesus revealed to us as he talked about sending an advocate in his place when he is gone, then we can find our anxiety decrease.

On this day of Pentecost, we hear about a rush of wind, God's deeds of power being told in our own language; and disciples appearing drunk. What does this mean?

The prayer is not for himself, it’s for his disciples and it’s not just for the disciples who will witness his death, but it’s for disciples to come. Have you ever had anyone pray for you?

There's trouble all around us: natural disasters, a contentious election season, relationship problems in our personal lives, health concerns and financial challenges. It's hard to see how Jesus can exhort us, "Let not your hearts be troubled," when trouble surrounds us on a daily basis. And truth be told, throughout these chapters in John's Gospel, Jesus himself is troubled plenty of times, from weeping at Lazarus' grave to praying that this cup may pass him in the Garden the night before his death. Yet, in the midst of chaos and confusion, Jesus tells us: DO NOT BE AFRAID. It's a message we find again and again in the Bible (at least 173 times by my count) because as people of faith, we know that God is with us every day, and especially when we are challenged and battered by the ups and downs of life. So take Jesus' exhortation to heart: Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.

"Love one another" says Jesus, again. Do we really need to focus on this message, again? Have we not mastered this command of Jesus already? This call of Jesus is as relevant today as it was in Cornelius and Peter's day 2000 years ago!!

A young Marine loses faith in the midst of war and yet reaches out to fellow soldiers. A religious leader feels like he loses the parameters of his faith and yet goes on a journey with another man who is seeking answers to his faith questions. The modern church loses its footing in a fast-changing world and yet hears an invitation from society to enter into conversation. Will it go? Sometimes, as lost sheep, we just have to step forward and trust that we are following our master’s voice and do the work for which we feel called.

Jumping into a lake fully-clothed (except in the case of an emergency!) might sound like a silly thing to do, but Peter the disciple does just that. Confused, excited and overwhelmed, Peter recognizes his friend Jesus calling to him, and into the drink he goes. We can shake our head, bemused at Peter’s seeming lack of awareness, but how do we respond to the call of Jesus? Aren’t we, too, confused, excited and overwhelmed? Don’t we too make choices that might seem silly if we stop to think about them?

What brings about a long life? What brings about a long happy life? How does peace fit into these questions and answers?

The stone – it does not usually get a lot of attention in the Easter story; in fact, it is just rolled out of the way. So, what good news can we hear in connection with this stone? What does it have to do with “looking for the living among the dead?” How do you respond to the Easter morning message – like the women at the tomb or Peter and the apostles? Happy Easter!!

The way we point our fingers often indicates what we are trying to communicate. So, what is the POINT of Palm-Passion Sunday?

The love Jesus showed, and still shows, goes way down deep into the souls of people and brings out a response like Mary's. What Jesus does for people is costly, extravagant, life changing. It goes all the way into death.

A couple weekends ago, some of our middle and high school youth went without food for 30 hours. Not only did they raise a bunch of money, with the help of some incentives to be revealed next week, but they gained a new perspective on hunger. What do we know about hunger, and what does it have to do with a rebellious son?

Do you ever feel like parts of life are dead? Looking for a way to breathe life back into your life? Consider these words from Jesus and Paul.

Being a prophet might sound like a daunting role, one that is filled by someone else, certainly not people like you and me; but what if being a prophet was simpler than you thought? What if being a prophet was not something God left up to those with the loudest voices, but rather, what if God was calling each one of us to be prophetic in our own, unique way?

Today’s story about Jesus deals with bread and a stone. How can it inspire us to be a blessing to others?

Some cultural icons have faces that speak for themselves. Einstein? Intelligence. Genius. Science. Bad hair days. Leonardo da Vinci? Art. The Renaissance. Inventions. You get the idea. So what do we think about when we see a rendition of Moses' face. Or Elijah's. Or the face of Jesus?

Consecration Sunday is the day that we reflect on designating something to be sacred that is set apart for God’s use.  Designated for God’s purposes.   In particular, we look to dedicated our hole selves - time, talent and treasure.  How much do you have to concentrate?  Is that the right question to ask?

Turning water into wine would be a neat talent to have at a party, but what does Jesus do with this ability? Why was it considered so important that people have passed it down for 2,000 years?

If Jesus was perfect, why did he get baptized? We gain some insights from Tim Hughes, composer of the very popular song, “Here I Am to Worship.”

This part of the Christmas season tends to be a quieter time. As we move past the shopping season, we are given another opportunity to be reminded what is at the heart of our celebration.

Countless times, people have told me, "Pastor, thanks for the invitation to come to church, but I really need to get my life in order before I come to God's house." Though we may want our lives clean and pristine, we fail time and again. On Christmas night, God comes right into our MESSY lives with good news of great joy.

Sometimes we come to believe that, as long as we believe in Jesus, life is going to go smoothly, gently and easily. Today's text teaches otherwise. It uses the image of fire in several ways. How does joy fit in?

What’s different between a camel and a dog? A lot! Today, we will explore the good news about Jesus in Mark 10 and how one woman shared it with another.

How do you respond to children? Jesus teaches that his followers are to welcome children. Does that mean we all need to work in a childcare facility? Let’s explore the wider meaning and call to action of Jesus’ teaching.

When we believe in Jesus Christ, we have access to God's G.R.A.C.E., that is God's riches at Christ's expense. What more do we need to gain? What do we have to lose?

Day to day, what do you rely on as a life-sustainer? Is it sufficient? Will it sustain life when you are facing death? What do you trust to sustain life beyond death?

A fib – not the bad heart rhythm – but a little, white lie, a half-truth.  You know, “spin,” “hype,” “politics,” “propaganda,” “hidden agenda” – the opposite of truth; the lack of truth.  Jesus said he would send his Spirit of Truth to guide us into all the truth.  What is truth?

It is easy to live our lives right side out, impressing others with our outside. This Easter, we are considering inside-out faith.

Tonight, commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified.

Today is Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem for Passover. Another person would have processed into this metropolitan city, but in a different way. Whose parade would you have joined? Whose parade do you join every day?

What does it mean that a grain of wheat remains alone if it does not die?

Zeal for my father’s house will consume!

If you get a new illness or injury and need a new doctor, how do you decide which doctor to choose? “Location, location, location”? Least expensive? Most attractive? OR, the one with the most healthy patients? Last week, our second thru fifth graders were taught by parents, grandparents, and/or guardians, along with some “OWLs” (Older, Wiser Lutherans with some additional life experience and/or training in the Bible) how to use the Bible, God’s word. Today, on this busy Sunday as we celebrate this Bible milestone as part of our Household Ministry, we take a quick look at whose word is good.

Jesus teaches and people are amazed.  Then, a man stands up and things get weird.  Jesus takes action and, again, people are amazed.  Are you amazed by Jesus’ authority?  Are you willing to trust his authority?

Jesus' mission for us: "Follow me and I will make you fish for people."

Today, I begin with a personal sharing.  Carol, my wife, when we were starting to date, and still to this day, has an uncanny, almost prophetic, ability, to ask questions that go straight to the heart.  I believe this ability is a spiritual gift that comes from God, as we see Jesus demonstrate on the much deeper, even miraculous, level in his encounter with Nathanael.  Come and See Jesus.

You are my Son, the Beloved

Today, we affirm that in Jesus Christ, the Word of God is embodied, incarnated, has taken on human flesh. Then we explore what Jesus brings and how it impacts our lives.

Through a series of scripture lessons and Christmas carols, we hear and sing the Christmas message, reaching back into the Old Testament prophecies and into the New Testament witness.

So, it is Christmas Eve – have you arrived or are you “almost there”?

John the baptizer preached in the desert, baptized in the river, ate locusts and wild honey, and a camel’s hair shirt. Is that what we need to do to share Jesus with others – to testify to the light of Christ?

As the bulletin cover indicates, today’s theme is “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Our guest speakers, Matt and Liz (Stinson) Porter will share about their missionary connections with Liberia and Washington, DC.

Why do you give thanks? Listen as some people answer that question from their own lives.

Talent is one of those words we throw around a lot.  But, what talents have you got?  Take some time to figure them out, then you’ll know what you have in the way of clout.  Who will you honor when you figure it out?

Jesus uses the parable of the bridesmaids, their oil lamps and a long-awaited bride groom.  What does it mean to have enough oil in our lamps?  Are we going to miss out on something important yet to come?  Jesus wants to make sure we don't miss it.  The parable itself is our wake up call, an urgent plea for living here and now in the reality of Christ's coming among us.

Freedom means various things in various contexts; but for Christians, and in keeping with the Gospel text for today (John 8:31), freedom means something very specific. It means freedom FROM sin.  It means freedom IN Christ. It means freedom WITH Christ. and it means freedom FOR service in the world.

Today, Pat Brady shared his story of how God got his attention and led him to dig his marriage, his finances, and his life out of debt. Pat’s journey started when he and his wife fell to their knees and asked for God’s help. What does God want to inspire you to do by hearing Pat’s story?

With whom do you relate in this story that Jesus tells about a banquet? How does it impact you, your faith and your actions?

Ben Everhart grew up at St. John, serving as an acolyte or training incoming acolytes, teaching Sunday school, playing bells in the bell choir, and singing in the men’s ensemble. Two years after high school, he spent a year traveling with the 2013-2014 Captive Free East Coast team. This experience changed him and his faith. Here’s his story…..

What do you think about working in God’s vineyard?

The eternal longing of God's heart was to reach out and touch us. God sent Jesus as that touch, and death was the inevitable consequence. But God's generosity was so great that death itself has become the touch of eternity.

On this Festival of the Holy Cross, we consider the cross on which Jesus died and how this action impacts humanity.

How do you handle difficult situations?

Those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

When Jesus asks us, "Who do you say that I am?" our answer not only changes our actions, but also the questions that we ask in life.

We hear reflections on the 2014 Global Leadership Summit from Pastor McQuaid and 12 other Summit attendees. View highlights of this event that reached about 200,000 leaders worldwide at http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/video_2014_highlights.asp.

In a world filled with noise and empty words, God comes to us as stillness and silence, even to the point that wind ceases (Matt. 14:32). Jesus walks over stormy waters to his disciples, entering their boat and being present with them despite their fears and doubts. Today we are encouraged to lay aside our little faith with its wordy worries, and listen for God, who comes to us as quieting comfort.

We hear reflections from the youth and adults who attended our summer Youth Retreat involving worship, fun, learning, serving in and around Ocean City, MD.

When Jesus tries to describe the power of God in parables, he chooses very different images: a bit of yeast being mixed into dough; a tiny seed growing, hidden in the ground. The power of God does amazing things though - raising a huge amount of dough, enough to feed a village; growing into a plant so large it can shelter many. It is a power to grow that acts from within.