Sermons on John
The Resurrected Christ
The Resurrected Christ, John 20:19-31 These past two years have been quite an experience for our confirmation students! First classes were canceled due to the pandemic, then taught over zoom, then in-person again, then two classes combined. And, of course, all this happened in a general climate of disruption, insecurity, and danger. If we look at our gospel reading today, we will see that Jesus’ disciples are experiencing their own time of disruption, transition, and worry. After three years of…
Lent 4 – God works through disciples
Lent 4 – God works through disciples – John 3:17 We meet our saint today in Ukraine, when it was devastated by another war, the Crimean war from 1853 to 1856. Mary Seacole lived from 1805 to 1881. She was a black woman from Jamaica and she comes from a tradition of Jamaican and West African doctresses, as they were called at the time. She was trained in traditional medicine with a strong focus on what we today would call…
How his Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu find Happiness in Troubled Times.
How his Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu find Happiness in Troubled Times. – John 2:1-11 The wedding in Cana is one of my favorite bible stories. It shows a moment where God’s grace breaks in and shines through human needs and restrictions! Jesus’ sign of turning gallons of water into wine points to God’s abundant generosity, which can seem silly, crazy even, seen from human eyes. “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after…
Born Again? – John 3:1-17
Born Again? – John 3:1-17 Lutherans, like Christians from other denominations, also believe that faith changes a person’s heart. Hearing God’s word evaporates some of the human selfishness and replaces it with servanthood, which means doing God’s work with our hands. That results in good works. But we do not do good works to earn God’s grace, but in gratitude for having already received God’s grace. Therefore, we, for instance, feed the hungry because the hungry need feeding and not…
Images of God -John 15:9-17
Images of God -John 15:9-17 Don Corson, a recent graduate of our Synod’s program for lay ministry PSALM, will reflect on the names and images we have of God and how they shape our sense of not only who God is but who we are too. Please check out our video ministry 1517 Grace Guerrilla https://www.youtube.com/c/1517GraceGuerrilla
Jesus the Good Shepherd, John 12:20-33
Sermon on John 12:20-33 – Jesus the Good Shepherd – 4-25-2021 Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA. Check out our video ministry 1517 Grace Guerrilla https://www.youtube.com/c/1517GraceGuerrilla
Nicodemus
Nicodemus – John 3:1-21 I have often discovered in myself and others the tendency to view fallible biblical figures like Nicodemus, or Peter or Judas, as foils against which we contrast ourselves to our advantage! “Nicodemus walked away from Jesus, I would have asked to be baptized then and there! Peter denied Jesus, I would have courageously stood up for my Lord! Judas betrayed Jesus, never ever would I be tempted by my own disappointed hopes, or money, or fame…
Lamb of God
Lamb of God – John 1:29-42 John introduces Jesus to us as the Lamb of God. This image is well known to most of us. We refer to it in many liturgical moments during Sunday service. But what does it actually mean? Join Pastor Olaf in a journey back to the moment when Moses liberates the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt in the Book of Exodus. This is the origin of the symbol of the Lamb of God.…
How Thou Thrive in Chaos
How Thou Thrive in Chaos – John 1:1-18 Nobody has ever seen God, says our gospel text today. All we know about God; we know through Jesus Christ. However, what Jesus had to say was not heard by everybody. And not all who heard him believed what he said. And of those who believed what he said, some heard something that was very different from what others thought they heard. Either God likes curveballs or the never-ending struggle for meaning…
Honesty, Integrity and Trustworthiness
Honesty, Integrity and Trustworthiness – John 17:20-26 A blue haired musician changed the dynamics of the European Parliament elections in Germany. He criticized the established parties in a very profound and compelling way on YouTube. His example shows that people crave honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. We, as a congregation, strive to model these traits in our interactions in this community. We give thanks to God for all progress we have made embodying these principles in our mission to be Agents…
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday Christ is risen! Rev. Kristin Luana Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA. Check out our video ministry 1517 Grace Guerrilla https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2aB-i9zHPqgh3NjUJ5-lg
Palm Sunday – God does not need Henchmen
Palm Sunday – God does not need Henchmen Too often in Christian history preachers fuelled the flames of hate when the passion of Christ was read. Then congregation stormed out and burned the synagogues of the Christ killers. Mo matter what preachers say to you, remember: God DOES NOT need henchmen nor judges. God needs people who love. Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA. Check out our video ministry 1517 Grace Guerrilla https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2aB-i9zHPqgh3NjUJ5-lg