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Sermons

Sighs of the Spirit

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 ] […]

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Sermons

Blessed Are the Pure of Heart – For Tyre Nichols

This sermon was originally preached at a hybrid service of St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church. Relevant lectionary readings here. Grace and Peace are yours from the Triune God, amen. This morning we read Jesus’ first sermon moment in the book of Matthew, sometimes known as the Sermon on the Mount –  possibly the most famous sermon […]

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Sermons

Hurry and Come Down

This sermon was first preached at a hybrid online and in-person service of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square on Sunday, October 30, 2022. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. The Gospel of Luke is full of images of the lowly being brought up and those on high being brought low. Subverting roles. […]

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Sermons

Commands, Obedience, Relationship: A Sermon on the 10 Commandments

This sermon was originally preached at a hybrid online and in person service at St. John’s in Wilmette on Sunday, October 9, 2022. St. John’s is on the Narrative Lectionary. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. The process to become an ordained pastor in the ELCA is complicated and confusing. So you may not […]

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Sermons

You’re Cordially Invited

This sermon was originally given in a hybrid online and in person joint service of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square and Grace UMC on Sunday, August 28, 2022. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. You are cordially invited. To a dinner party. This is real. It’s a real invitation. And I’ll get […]

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Sermons

Never to Be Allowed in the Lord’s Assembly – A Bisexual Sermon on Ruth 1

This sermon was first preached for a virtual service of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick, WA as part of a series featuring LGBTQIA+ and/or BIPOC preachers. Relevant readings can be found here. My name is Pastor Elle Dowd. I use pronouns like she or they. I am an author, activist, and ordained minister […]

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Sermons

The Parable of the Trillionaire and His Lunar Parking Garage

This sermon was first preached at a hybrid in person and online service of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilmette on July 31, 2022. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. Thousands of people had come to listen to Jesus preach and teach. There were so many of them that they were tripping over each […]

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Sermons

Cyclical, Mutual Hospitality

This sermon was first preached in a joint service for St. Luke’s of Logan Square and Grace Church. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. It was a hot, hazy day. Abraham’s tent was enveloped by the shade of the oak trees. Trees in scripture are imbued with meaning. Oak trees, because of their age, […]

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Sermons

An Abolition Sermon for Jailers

This sermon was first preached for Easter 7 at a hybrid online and in-person service of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square on May 29, 2022. Relevant lectionary texts can be found here. “These men are slaves!” the enslaved girl cried out. Day after day she raised her voice, “These men are slaves of […]

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Sermons

The Practical Tasks of Love

This sermon was first preached at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square for Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Tonight Jesus commands us, “Love one another.” But what does that even mean?  At St. Luke’s, you […]

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Sermons

The Parable of the Woman Baking Bread

This sermon was first preached at Holy Family Lutheran Church in Cabrini Green on Sunday, April 3, 2022. Holy Family is using The Woman’s Lectionary by Dr. Wil Gafney. You can see the relevant Gospel reading here, but I encourage you to order Dr. Gafney’s version. Good morning!  I am Pastor Elle Dowd, the spouse […]