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 ] […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]