Today is truly a day of joyous celebration and thanksgiving. It’s a day that I am honestly surprised has come as quickly as it has. Just over 11 years ago, Massachusetts first allowed same-sex couples to be legally married. This was less than a year after Lawrence v. Texas struck down bans nationwide on sexual …
Author: peldred
Caitlyn Jenner and the Family of God
+ A sermon preached for Pentecost 2B at Lake View Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL on June 7, 2015 + Texts: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. I would like to thank you all for welcoming me to worship with you this morning. I’m …
Encountering the Divine Mystery
+ A sermon preached for Trinity Sunday (B) at United Lutheran Church, Gardner, IL on May 31, 2015 + Texts: Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. I would like to thank you all for welcoming me to worship with you this morning. …
“What is to Prevent Me?” A Sermon on Acts 8
+ A sermon in a preaching lab for Easter 5B at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago, IL on May 6, 2015 + Text: Acts 8:26-40 Video Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. I think it’s safe to say that we are all in a transitional …
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The Connection to Christ and to Our Neighbors
+ A sermon preached for Easter 5B at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL on May 2 & 3, 2015 + Texts: 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 Audio Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. I hate goodbyes. I doubt anyone actually likes goodbyes, but I know I’m just …
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The Unexpected Reply to Hosanna
+ A Palm Sunday (Year B) sermon preached for preaching class at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago, IL on March 18, 2015 + Text: Mark 11:1-11 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. When he entered in the city, crowds surrounded the procession. They clamored …
The Cure for the Snakes in our World
+ A sermon preached for Lent 4B at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL on March 15, 2015 + Texts: Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 Audio Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. This was a big week for technology lovers. In case you missed it, …
The Healing Power of Touch
+ A short sermon preached for a midweek Lenten healing worship service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL on March 4, 2015 + Text: Matthew 9:18-25 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. We live in what has been called a “touch-phobic society.” Whether we are crammed on …
Within Our Darkest Night
+ A reflection around the Winter Solstice written on December 22, 2014 + “Within our darkest night, you kindle a fire that never dies away” (Taizé song) There have been many times in my life where someone has told me that the celebration of Christmas was silly or even non-Christian as it was simply an appropriation of the …
Advent Reflection: St. John of Damascus
+ An Advent devotional written for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL for December 4, 2014 + Today the Church commemorates St. John of Damascus, Syrian monk and priest, defender of icons, and Father of the Church. “Previously there was absolutely no way in which God, who has neither a body nor a face, could be …
Pastor Paul Eldred 