7 Epiphany C—2/24/19 Genesis 45:3-11,15; Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; Luke 6:27-38 Pr. Scott Kramer Today my wife and I have been married 29 years. I am grateful for my wife. I love my wife. And I think she loves me, too! So, I confess I am not happy about the gospel reading assigned for today: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? … [Read more...]
Sermons Archive
Love Ain’t Easy
4 Sunday C—2/3/19 Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30 Pr. Scott Kramer The presidential election is still almost two years away but already it’s a full field of candidates. This past week Congressman Cory Booker of New Jersey threw his hat into the ring. Announcing his candidacy, he said this: Love ain’t easy…The people I admire are the people that lead by calling out the best of who we are and not the worst. Congressman Cory Booker … [Read more...]
Less Respectable
3 Epiphany C—1/27/19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21 Pr. Scott Kramer My wife bought me this Chinese jacket on our recent visit to be with her family in China. On the sleeves are embroidered two cranes, a magnificent bird that looks a bit like our local blue heron. Cranes in Chinese tradition symbolize long life. Over the past 30 years, there is a different kind of crane that has made an appearance in China, and that is the construction crane. Year after year … [Read more...]
Changing the Light Bulb
EpiphanyC19: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 January 6, 2019, Pr. Scott Kramer Yesterday I was in my office after the memorial service, sitting down to write my sermon for today, when Alan walked in. After washing the dishes from the reception, he had one more maintenance task before he left the church. “I came in to change a light bulb,” he said. With that comment, the “light bulb” went on in my head; I knew I had my sermon for today! … [Read more...]
For All the Saints
All Saints Sunday—11/4/18 Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44 Pr. Scott Kramer Does anybody recognize this tool? Yes, it’s a scoop for “gutter clutter.” When leaves fall on the roof this time of year, I scoop them out of the gutter and the water flows as it should. Keeping the water flowing is not the only reason to scoop out the leaves. In the gutter they’re not much use. But if they’re put in the yard waste bin or on the yard, over time they become compost that … [Read more...]
Let Me See Again
Reformation Sunday—10/28/18 John 8:31-36; John 9:39-41; Mark 10:46-52 Pr. Scott Kramer This coming Wednesday, October 31st, millions of people across our land will celebrate Halloween, as our friends in Mexico will celebrate the Day of the Dead. In Celtic tradition October 31st marks the first day of the “natural year.” Over the past 500 years Lutherans around the world have known it as Reformation Day. For me, the day is more personal. It’s my mother’s birthday, for one thing. And, twenty-five … [Read more...]
Security Questions
21 Pentecost B18—10/14/18 Amos 5:6-7,10-15; Mark 10:17-31 Pr. Scott Kramer My wife and I just finished watching a three-part Public TV series called “The Miniaturist.” Set in 17th-century Holland, it’s the story of a wealthy businessman named Johannes Brandt who’s made his fortune trading sugar. As the story opens, Brandt chooses a young woman from the country named Petronella as his bride. Soon Petronella learns that this is a marriage of convenience, for this powerful man she married is gay. … [Read more...]
Rewriting the Story
Pr. Sara Yoos, Guest Pastor and Preacher Lakeridge Lutheran Mark 8:27-38 9/16/18 You may have noticed that I’m pregnant. Now, the first few months, people were really cautious about asking. But after 4 months, it was pretty obvious this was more than just a big lunch. But once it was obvious that I am pregnant, it became especially awkward around strangers. See, I’m a foster parent as well to an eleven month old baby girl. So when people see me carrying around a baby – then notice that I’m … [Read more...]
Wisdom
13 Pentecost B—8/19/18 Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 Pr. Scott Kramer I was the slowest member of our team on the Pacific Crest Trail. Five of us set out on a hike from Stevens Pass on August 2nd, and finished at Holden Village some 98 miles later on August 9th. One of the reasons I was the slowest hiker is that I was also the oldest. I'm not 20 anymore! The next youngest on the team was a pastor friend of mine who is seven years younger. The other three are all around 22 or … [Read more...]
Abundance
10 Pentecost B—7/29/18 Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 Pr. Scott Kramer A week and a half ago there was a knock at the door and it was Sam, who works for Full Circle Farms. Full Circle Farms is a cooperative of 15 farms in the Northwest that together provide fresh, organic produce that they deliver to households that have signed up for regular delivery. Sam was enthusiastic and convincing. He’s only 23 years old and it was obvious that he wasn’t just a salesman but believes in the company he’s … [Read more...]
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