Category: Sermons

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

This sermon was first preached at a hybrid service of Grace Episcopal Church on March 27, 2022 as part of a special Campus Ministry Sunday. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. Good morning! My name is Pastor Elle Dowd, I use pronouns like “she” or “they.”  I am the campus pastor of South Loop […]

This sermon was originally preached for a hybrid service at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square on March 13, 2022. The Lenten theme for St. Luke’s is “Coming Home” and this Sunday’s theme was “Coming Home to a Mothering God.” Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. Grace and peace are yours from God […]

This sermon was first preached at Lord of Life Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. This Sunday we remember the Magnificat. Mary’s song. So often we hear Mary portrayed as meek and obedient. But the lyrics to this song are anything but. When we hear the words […]

This sermon was first preached for a hybrid online and in person service at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square on November 28, 2021. Relevant lectionary readings can be found here. It is the fourth Sunday in our extended season of Advent. We are thinking together about what it means to cultivate authentic joy. […]

This sermon was originally preached at American Lutheran Church Burbank on October 31, 2021 as part of their “Children’s Bible Stories, Revisited” series. You can read the book of Esther here. The Jewish people were far from home after being conquered by their enemies, the Babylonians, and carried off into exile. And even though the […]