Sunday’s Sermon, February 17, 2019
…from Worship at Good Sam on February 17, 2019
Lessons: Genesis 45:3-11,15; Psalm 37:1-11,39-40 ; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50; Luke 6:27-38
Sermon: “What We Need vs What We Have”
Prayer: O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury, pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from Luke’s Gospel.
Sunday’s Sermon, February 10, 2019
…from Worship at Good Sam on February 10, 2019
Lessons: Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13], Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11
Sermon: “In Our Hearts We Receive and Turn to Follow”
Prayer: Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory, and before you angels and saints stand in awe. Enlarge our vision to see your power at work in the world, and by your grace make us heralds of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from Luke’s Gospel.
Naming the Children…
They kept streaming in; Micah and Grant, Hannah and Tristan, Elizabeth and Logan…there were 25 of them. Actually, I could name them all. I tried to call their names out as they would steam up to join me on the steps, before the altar, near the cross of Jesus. I love this time. I love these kids. They seem like an important part of the life of Jesus among the people who have gathered. Yes, some of them I baptized – but that wasn’t it. Yes, two of them were my own children – but that wasn’t it. Some of them I have had more contact with than others – but that wasn’t it. What was it? I think it was that you can see that they know this moment is for them – a place and a time they know is center stage, just for them. Their energy and enthusiasm says, “This is fun to gather this way, and we wonder what will happen? Our eyes and hearts and bodies or filled with the energy of it.”
At this moment in worship, my joy is full and it seems that their joy is taking shape. At this moment, what is foreign, strange and far off (words and texts and songs for big people) has now stopped and drawn near to them. The joy of it for me is that I get to be the vessel that holds open that space where Jesus comes to love our children. Often this is a high point in our worship together for me. Many of you tell me your children can be heard saying words that I say from worship or doing gestures that I use in worship. What fun. Come gather for worship and together we will celebrate with our children the joy of the presence of Jesus among us.
Sunday’s Sermon, February 3, 2019
…from Worship at Good Sam on February 3, 2019
Lessons: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30
Sermon: “Love Attends to the Beloved”
Prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from Luke’s Gospel.
Sunday’s Sermon, January 27, 2019
…from Worship at Good Sam on January 27, 2019
Lessons: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6,8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
Sermon: “Discovering and Rediscovering the Living Word of God”
Prayer: Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from Luke’s Gospel.
Sunday’s Sermon, January 20, 2019
…from Worship at Good Sam on January 20, 2019/Pastor Gary Rhinesmith
Lessons: Isaiah 62:15, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
Sermon: “The Surprising Extravagance of God”
Prayer: Lord God, source of every blessing, you showed forth your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son, who brought gladness and salvation to his people. Transform us by the Spirit of his love, that we may find our life together in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from John’s Gospel.
Sunday’s Readings, January 13, 2019/Baptism of Our Lord Sunday
…from Worship at Good Sam on January 13, 2019/ Baptism of Our Lord Sunday
Lessons: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Sermon: “Why do you like to shower (bathe?)”
Prayer: Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Sunday’s Sermon, January 6, 2019/Epiphany Sunday
…from Worship at Good Sam on January 6, 2019/ Epiphany Sunday
Lessons: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon: “We Too Have a Star to Follow”
Prayer: Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God, and open our minds to the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may think and act according to your good will and may live continually in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from Matthew’s Gospel.
Sunday’s Sermon: December 30, 2018, 1st Sunday after Christmas
…from Worship at Good Sam on December 30, 2018/1st Sunday after Christmas
Lessons: Christmas Lessons and Carols
Sermon: “Keeping Christmas”
Prayer: Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God, and open our minds to the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may think and act according to your good will and may live continually in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The sermon begins after the last carol “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”.
Christmas Eve Sermon: December 24, 2018
…from Worship at Good Sam on December 24, 2018/Christmas Eve
Lessons: Isiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20
Sermon: “And This Shall Be A Sign To You…”
Prayer: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The sermon begins after the reading from Luke’s Gospel.
