This sermon was first preached at an online worship service on Sunday, July 26 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square as part of a sermon series on the book of Romans. Relevant reading here. [ deep sigh ] The Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. [ deep sigh ] […]
Samuel, MLK, and Anti-Fascism
This sermon was originally delivered via online services for Scarsdale Community Church and Spirit of Grace for MLK weekend on the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany. Relevant lectionary readings here. Samuel is curled up in the temple, blanketed in the warm glow of the flames still dancing atop of the oil lamp whose quiet light reflected […]
A Restoration of Bodies
This sermon was first preached on January 3, 2021, for an online service of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Roseville, MN. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. Merry Christmas! Even though I am guessing that most of your gifts are unwrapped and only a few festive leftovers are left in your fridge, we are […]
Free the Captives
This sermon was first preached for an online service with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Northwest Arkansas. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. In 2018 I was a part of a direct action at the Cook County Courthouse titled, “Free the Captives.” It was a direct allusion to the verses from Isaiah we are […]
Come Face Us, You Coward!
This sermon was first preached via a virtual service on Zoom for The Park Church Coop. Relevant lectionary texts can be found here. Just before my 16th birthday, I got the horrible news that a close family member of mine had died tragically. After a pretty sleepless night, I traveled with my mom to Illinois […]
A King Who Suffers
This sermon was first preached to Faith Lutheran Church and to Gustavus Adolphus College on Sunday, November 22, 2020 for Reign of Christ Sunday. Relevant lectionary readings here. It is the year 1925. The trauma of World War One – the war to end all wars – is still in recent memory, ending only seven […]
Gestating Hope
This homily was originally shared as part of a post-election prayer vigil hosted by The People’s Lobby. You can watch the vigil here. A reading from Luke, the first chapter. Mary said: “My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior. For you have looked with favor upon your […]
The Beauty and Power of In Between
This sermon was written for Epiphany Lutheran-Episcopal Church for National Coming Out Day 2020, October 11. Relevant scripture readings can be found here and here. Grace and peace are yours from the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; one God, Mother of us all. Amen. It is so good to be with you all […]
Sermon first preached online for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church during Bi Visibility Week 2020. A Love Letter to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and to anyone celebrating Bi Visibility Week this week, I came out as bisexual when I was about 19 years old, around the same time that the ELCA decided I could pursue my […]
Obadiah – Oracle, Judgement, Gospel
This sermon was originally preached at an online service of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square on Sunday, August 30th as part of a series called, “Stories You Don’t Hear in Church.” Relevant readings can be found here. Those of us with strained family dynamics or broken relationships know that the hurt that results […]
Jael, Warrior Woman
This story was originally preached at an online sermon of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square on Sunday, August 23 as part of a series on the “Stories You Don’t Hear in Church.” Relevant readings can be found here. When Pastor Erin and I were throwing around the idea of a season of preaching […]