16 Pentecost C (Season of Creation: Ocean Sunday)—9/4/16 Job 38:1-18; Psalm 104; Ephesians 1:3-10; Luke 5:1-11 Pr. Scott Kramer This past week’s Seattle Times reported that life on earth may have begun far earlier than we thought. Scientists in Greenland found a fossil that they believe is 3.7 billion years old, which is more than 200 million years older than the previous fossil evidence suggests. Our readings for this first Sunday in the Season of Creation (Oceans) speak of ancient things. … [Read more...]
Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips
Summer is short in our part of the world but for me one of the joys of the season is climbing and hiking our local mountain ranges. Over the years I’ve summited all five of Washington’s volcanoes but another long-time goal I’ve had is to hike from Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass. Weeks ago, finally, that goal was realized. This route is only a small portion of the 2600-mile border-to-border Pacific Crest Trail. Also known as Washington Section J, this spectacular 71-mile stretch gains a … [Read more...]
Whitewater and Thin Ice
15 Pentecost C—8/28/16 Proverbs 25:6-7; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16; Luke 14:1,7-14 Pr. Scott Kramer Last Sunday was an occasion for the baptism of Aidan William Rippe, and we explored the risky nature of baptismal water. Holy baptism can make our lives complicated, even dangerous! This was the case for a man named Dirk Willems. The year was 1569. Dirk Willems was a Dutch Mennonite imprisoned for refusing to participate in violence, and for arguing against infant baptism. After months of … [Read more...]
Whitewater
14 Pentecost C—8/21/16 Isaiah 58:9b-14; Psalm 103:1-8; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17 Pr. Scott Kramer It seems appropriate that Aidan’s baptism is today. He is the son of athletes, and the Olympic Games closing ceremony is today. Some of my favorite events over the past 16 days have been water sports: swimming, diving, water polo. Of course, there’s rowing and sailing. And, yes, kayak! Michelle and Derek, you are runners and rock climbers, but you are also water people! Today’s worship is … [Read more...]
Red Carpet Treatment
12 Pentecost C—8/7/16 Genesis 15:1-6; Psalm 33:12-22; Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16; Luke 12:32-40 Pr. Scott Kramer Following worship every Sunday many of us head downstairs for coffee hour. There your attention likely is on the coffee, the food and the conversation. It may be, though, that on occasion you’ve happened to glance at the floor and if you have you’ve probably noticed the red carpet. Well, it’s not so red anymore. These days it’s more like shades of red mixed with shades of black. And you … [Read more...]
Loyalty or Love?
8 Pentecost C—7/10/17 Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-10; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 Pr. Scott Kramer On our day off this past week my wife and I did what we often do this time of year: head into the mountains for a hike. Hikers have a list of what’s called the Ten Essential systems: Map and compass (navigation), sunglasses and sunscreen (sun protection), extra clothing (insulation), headlamp (illumination), matches (fire), repair kit, extra food (nutrition), extra water … [Read more...]
Cause for Pride
7 Pentecost C—7/3/16 Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-9; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Pr. Scott Kramer This weekend we observe the birth of our nation, but what I notice in one of today’s readings is a hint at the birth of our congregation! As many of you know, 2016 marks Lakeridge Lutheran’s 70th anniversary. In our scriptures the number 70 is significant. At the very beginning of today’s gospel reading, for example, Luke writes that in addition to his twelve core disciples he … [Read more...]
Border Crossings
5 Pentecost C—6/19/16 Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 22:19-28; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39 Pr. Scott Kramer On this Father’s Day, I’d like to share with you a story about one father in particular, shared with me by a pastor friend of mine. Over the past year, and again with the Orlando shooting last week, there have been threats against Muslims, even by Christians, so one Muslim father’s daughter was afraid. Last Sunday this father did an amazing thing: he brought her to my friend’s church because … [Read more...]
Power to Change
3 Pentecost C—6/5/16 1 Kings 17:17-24; Psalm 30; Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17 Pr. Scott Kramer Over the past few weeks the church calendar has made a transition from the season of Easter to the season of Pentecost. We are now in the long season of green, in which God’s Word instructs us in the ways of spiritual growth and maturity. And yet, both our reading from 1 Kings and our reading from Luke are very similar resurrection stories. This sounds like Easter! What’s going on here? The first … [Read more...]
Perfect Community
Holy Trinity C—5/22/16 Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Pr. Scott Kramer Close your eyes for a few seconds. Take a couple of deep breaths. Imagine that you’re walking up to a closed door. As you approach, the door opens and there…is God. What do you see? You can open your eyes now. When the door opened, what did you see? When some folks think of God they see an older man with long white hair and beard, sitting on a big throne in the clouds—the one who shows up … [Read more...]
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