I am back from Chicago where I attended my first Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church Council meeting. I now am on the church council for the entire ELCA. I am honored to fill this role for the next two years. I am happy to report that it is good that Community Lutheran Church…
In 2015, the smartphone company Samsung came up with an idea for new advertising campaign emphasizing connection through communication. The commercial revolves around Muaharrem, a deaf man in Istanbul who uses sign language to communicate. Muaharrem spent every day communicating with people in his town the best he could. He may have gotten by in…
I have an announcement to make… No, it is nothing bad. Earlier this fall, our bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod asked if I would be willing to serve on a committee. A very special committee. Before I tell you what it is, I want to explain a few details first. Our church is affiliated…
During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in trouble. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. Prussia was one of the few countries to resist Napoleon Bonaparte’s quest to overtake all of Europe and beyond. King Frederick William III felt the…
The earliest writings in the New Testament come from Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica. We commonly call it 1Thessalonians. Most agree it was written somewhere close to 50AD. Less than 20 years after the resurrection of Jesus. If you read this short letter, you will see the affection Paul has for the…
As a Christian, have you ever noticed the passion behind the letters Saint Paul wrote? He wasn’t passively penning correspondence to friends of yesteryear; no, he was writing to encourage and light a spiritual fire under everyone who read his letters. Why? Because Paul wanted everyone to understand the good news that God loves all…
To the Jewish people who had believed Jesus, he said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall…
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach…
Recently an antique “hunter” bought several items from a church that was closing in Philadelphia. Paul Brown bought some doors, a few pews and two stained glass windows. All were antiques and appeared to have a good resale value. The stained glass was more than stained from that old church. They were darkened by years…
In a well known portion of scripture, Saint Paul writes about secret of contentment to the church of Philippi. This is what he wrote, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,…
