Categories
Sermons

The Preteen God

This sermon was first preached at St. James Lutheran Church on December 30, 2018. I have dedicated this sermon to child’s rights activist, Stephi Wagner, who has taught me so much about childism and the way adults oppress children in our society. Relevant lectionary texts can be found here. Grace and Peace are yours from the […]

Categories
Sermons

An Anti-Fascist Sermon for Reign of Christ Sunday

Originally preached on November 25, 2018 at Holy Family Lutheran Church. Relevant lectionary readings here. Watch or listen to video here. Grace and Peace are yours from the Triune God, whose eternal reign outlasts that of any tyrant or King.  Amen. “Are you the King of the Jews?” In the Gospel reading today, the dialog […]

Categories
Sermons

Scripture as a Trap

Originally preached in the chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago Relevant lectionary readings here. Grace and peace are yours from the One who made all genders in Their  image. Amen Wading through the assigned readings for this week can feel a little bit like a trap.  These are pieces of scripture which […]

Categories
Blog posts

Mass Incarceration Teach-In

This story was originally told for a Seminarians for Justice teach-in on mass incarceration, bail reform, and racial capitalism on September 20, 2018. “You need to get out of here, ma’am,” the voice said behind the mask, armor, and shield, extending a level of politeness in acknowledging me that had been absent when addressing my […]

Categories
Blog posts

Ferguson October Testimony

This piece was given in Augustana Chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago on September 20, 2018. It was part of a larger service of testimony kicking off a campaign against mass incarceration and specifically, bail bond reform. This testimony piece is dedicated to Michael Brown.  We won’t forget you. Relevant Readings: Psalm […]

Categories
Sermons

From Your Majesty to Mama

This sermon was preached at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minnesota on Sunday, May 27. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. Grace and peace are yours from the Triune God, the Lord of Hosts, Beloved, Lover +, and Love Herself.  Amen. Saint Gregory of Nyssa said that the Prophet Isaiah, “knew more perfectly […]

Categories
Sermons

The Arc of the Gospel

Originally preached at St. Mark – ELCA on April 29, 2018 Relevant lectionary texts can be found here  This sermon is dedicated to Dr. James Cone, the father of Black Liberation Theology, whose work greatly informed this sermon, and who passed away yesterday morning. ——– The reading from Acts today is a Black Church story. […]

Categories
Sermons

The Table Before Us

Preached the 4th Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2018, at St. Mark ELCA in Chicago. Relevant lectionary readings here. *** Grace and Peace are yours from our living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Amen. Peter and John were preaching and healing in the outer courts of the temple in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem, the city that […]

Categories
Sermons

Whose Voice Are We Listening To?

Preached at St. Mark Lutheran Church, first Sunday in Lent Relevant lectionary texts are here. Standing in this pulpit I am intensely aware of the honor it is to be with you all for the past few months, and particularly in this role here today.  There have been a lot of mighty preachers who have […]

Categories
Blog posts

Love is Strong as Death

This was originally written as a  story-telling piece for LSTC’s service of testimony.  The theme for the week was about God’s healing. My husband Adam and I shared this testimony together in the chapel on February 8, 2018. Adam : It was the summer of 2011, Elle and I had been married just over one year. […]