Sermons from 2015

German Service 2015

Every year University Lutheran puts on a German language Christmas  service. The liturgy, readings, and hymns are in German, but the sermon is  in English. This year, the sermon’s major illustration was the original  story of the Nutcracker – a German story by a man named Hoffman. The  sermon is based on Hebrews, Chapter 1.…

Is it ok to buy yourself a gift?

About this Sunday: The season of Advent is a season of waiting – its discipline and wisdom. The discipline and wisdom of waiting begins with the feeling of the VOID, the feeling of emptiness that we try to fill up with all sorts of short term solutions. This Sunday we will talk about what we…

Are you confident?

  About this Sunday: Our last Sunday in the series “Gift of the Lamb” and the second to last Sunday in the church year. During it, we begin to turn our “Advent eyes” to the dawning of the day of Jesus’ returning when we will see the Lamb upon the Throne and how we are…

What do you (really) need?

About this Sunday: The readings for this Sunday lead us to consider what it is like to be prayed for and how intercession works. As we consider the intercession of the prophet, and even the intercession of the widow, our eyes are turned to our High Priest who makes intercession for us in both sacrifice…

What happens when you die?

About this Sunday: Like our Reformation Sunday, this celebration of All Saints continues with the readings for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. Again, the readings fit the celebration of the specific day, even if they were not tailored to do so. In this Sunday we look at the covenants of God – the Old Covenant…

Do you follow an outlaw?

About this Sunday: While this Sunday is Reformation Day, we are using the readings from the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost in order to keep with the theme of the Lamb. The readings, however, are very good readings for the celebration of the Reformation – especially since the Priesthood of Jesus figured heavily into the original…

How hard are you resting?

About this Sunday: The Sabbath or “rest of God” is something that figures prominently into the theme of Hebrews. This Sunday is our opportunity to see this theme brought before our eyes. This rest is something that we are called to remember at the heart of our lives, rather than chasing after our vanities, we…