18 Pentecost B—9/27/15 Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29; Ps. 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 Pr. Scott Kramer (a story, based on Mark 9:38-50) So, a rabbi walks into a bar… It had been a long day of preaching and teaching. The rabbi looks around, and sees that it’s a mixed crowd. Some in the crowd are movers and shakers in the local community. They’re well-heeled, accustomed to getting what they want, successful, respected, and they are religious. Most in the crowd, though, … [Read more...]
Love and Justice
15 Pentecost B—9/6/15 Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37 Genesis 1:1-25; Romans :18-23; John 1:1-14 Pr. Scott Kramer Over the past couple of Sundays we have heard Jesus teach that religion, tradition, and ritual are “worthless”…unless they lead us to a deeper understanding of God’s love and a deeper practice of God’s love for all people! Today we begin the Season of Creation, which congregations of many denominations around the world observe this year—and every … [Read more...]
Beyond Tradition
14 Pentecost B—8/30/15 Deut. 4:1-2,6-9; Psalm 15; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 Pr. Scott Kramer This morning’s gospel reading from Mark picks up where last week’s reading from John left off: All the Jews do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it and there are also many other traditions that they observe…So the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why do your … [Read more...]
Who We Remember
13 Pentecost B—8/23/15 Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-59 Pr. Scott Kramer A few years ago my wife and I returned to visit her family in China. This particular visit coincided with the Chinese holiday known as Ching Ming Jie (“Pure Brightness Festival”). In English it’s called the “Grave-sweeping Festival.” This is the traditional festival that honors Chinese ancestors. Families return to the family grave, tidy it up and often have a picnic right … [Read more...]
Sourdough Starter
11 Pentecost B—8/9/15 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35,41-51 Pr. Scott Kramer One of my pastoral visits this past week was to see Jim. Some of you know Jim. Before reading the scripture lessons for the week I explained to Jim that this time of year the gospel readings are all about Jesus as Bread of Life. Jim thought about that and then said, “I make bread. Sourdough bread.” In fact, Jim told me he has sourdough starter in the fridge. And guess how old … [Read more...]
Leaving Home
10 Pentecost B—8/2/15 Exodus 16:2-4,9-15; Psalm 68:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35 Pr. Scott Kramer Have you ever felt homesick? Maybe it was summer camp as a child, going away to college or work, or getting married. For some, moving to a new city or even a new country can leave a person longing for the familiar faces and foods and things of home. If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread. It’s … [Read more...]
Family Reunion
9 Pentecost B—7/26/15 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 Pr. Scott Kramer A couple of weeks ago I spent a few days with my family. From Iowa, from Texas, from Colorado, from Washington we gathered in Oregon for rest, relaxation and sightseeing. These family reunions at their best are a time of renewing our relationships. We remember who we are by telling stories from the past, breaking bread and spending time together. Holy Communion is our weekly … [Read more...]
Perfect In Weakness
6 Pentecost B-7/5/15 Ezekiel 2:1-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 Pr. Scott Kramer “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Wow! Such a big family. If you’re in the habit of imagining the Christmas Eve version of Jesus’ family—Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus—this passage might come as a surprise. Jesus may have been the firstborn but according … [Read more...]
Who Am I?
Rachel Dolezal is the latest to make headlines by raising important questions about human identity. Whereas Caitlyn Jenner’s much-publicized transition challenges traditional notions of sexual identity, Dolezal, who recently resigned as head of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP, challenges common assumptions about race. Like Jenner, Dolezal places less stock in biology than in the dictates of her heart. Dolezal’s DNA may settle the matter of her European ancestry but her primary emotional … [Read more...]
Rush to Judgment
Caitlyn Jenner made headlines this past week and reaction, both supportive and not-so-much, was swift. Not surprisingly, Rush Limbaugh was among those who immediately weighed in against Jenner’s identity (“mental illness”) and publicity surrounding her (“everything the media wants to do in terms of turning the culture upside down.”) In the name of “morality” Limbaugh and his allies are quick to judge Caitlyn Jenner. Here’s a sampler of Christian teaching on judgment: • Do not judge by … [Read more...]
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