Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch is about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the sovereign God, who blows where he wants and how he wants. Neither Peter, nor John, nor Philip, nor any human being then, since or now can do other than be open to what the Spirit wants, ready to be blown along bt the rushing mighty wind.

If you've been going to church for years and years, you may have noticed that we are telling God's Story in much more detail. Why? We so need to! Older and shorter versions left out the "What do we do next...." Our so people didn't do much of anything at all. What do we learn if we tell a fuller version?

Today's reading focuses on Scripture as the way we recognize Jesus. The two traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus didn't recognize Jesus because they were looking for a different kind of Messiah, one that would break Roman domination and free Israel.

How is Memorial Day different from Easter? Jesus Chose to Die for us (Luke 18:31-34). Jesus Rose for us and Jesus lives today -- FOR US!!! (Luke 24:1-12).

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem inaugurates Holy Week, the week leading to Jesus' crucifixion. We celebrate with joy this Palm Sunday as we prepare our hearts for the agony of his Passion and the joy of his Resurrection. This royal occasion demonstrates the type of King our Messiah is: righteous, humble and riding on a lowly animal of peace. Jesus is establishing a Universal Kingdom of Peace, in direct contrast to the Roman invasion and war that is threatening Jerusalem. The peace Jesus brings will be born of great suffering and tremendous cost. Believers remember the cost by establishing peace wherever they find themselves and sharing it with those around them.

Zacchaeus finds real life in a relationship with Jesus (Luke 19:1-10). He was a short and mean little man... but Jesus called him out and offered him new possibilities for hope and life!

The Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus is a well known folk take in the ancient world and is Jesus using picture-language about his own work. Luther warns this is a parable about the rich and poor in this life, and the afterlife in this parable is not to be taken literally.

The parable of the prodigal son is perhaps misnamed... Maybe we should call it the Prodigal God? God's action are so wonderful and so unpredictably good!

Jesus sends a warning that we as humans are good at predicting the weather but cannot read the times. Evil is all around us but we cannot see what is happening right in front of us. The Messiah has come and is all Israel has been waiting for making repentance and new life the focus so many are failing to see.

The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Do we know what it means? We considered it together with the story of Mary sitting at Jesus' feet...

Jesus' Transfiguration and The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit are two consecutive but distinct, biblical narratives from the Gospels. All the Gospel writers have these stories in this order and seem to be telling us that they go together. The Transfiguration is a mountaintop experience, where Jesus' transformation along with Elijah and Moses is dramatic and supernatural. The journey down the mountain from this experience was to the valley below where the shrieking of a stubborn demon was inhabiting a child. Although the stories are very different, both mountain tops and dark valleys have a lot in common - they both represent the real life we live in.

We love, because God first loved us (I John 4:19). This is the key to our Christian life. God acts first! Our Lord gave himself for us, and we are to give ourselves for others. In Luke 7 we meet a wom

In Luke 7:18-35 the question asked is: Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else? John the Baptist was languishing in prison, his disappointment was natural, he wanted assurance and he wanted Jesus to change the world, and, get him released. Jesus did what only he could and without giving Herod reason to arrest him. Jesus performed miracles: the blind see, the lame walk, the diseased are cured, the dead are raised, the good news is preached.

This sermon contrasts the "way that seems right" to humanity--the way of good works or the way of "karma," with God's way of grace. These are as different as night and day!

In Luke 6:1-11 we see the way in which Jesus is shaping his followers into God's New Israel, the people who would live in God's New Age. In 2 Corinthians we find Paul turning minds around so that they see everything - God, the world, the church, themselves - in a different light, with the hope that giving of themselves and all they have will come naturally.

We are created in God's image. In our design, God has made us to be people that are invited and called to live generously. We can live generously with our time, our talents, and our resources. Listen here for the entire message from Good Shepherd.

Luke 4:18-21 presents Jesus’ own understanding of his mission. Where are you included? Poor? Prisoner? Blind? Oppressed? Ask where Jesus’ mission touches you!

John the Baptist made it clear that preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin requires a change of heart, sorrow for sin and determination to live a holy life. Jesus' baptism, gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit makes it possible to live a holy life.

When Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple, they receive two amazing confirmations about Jesus’ identity.

A Christmas Day meditation