15 Pentecost C—9/22/19 Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 Pr. Scott Kramer As many of you know, September for many churches around the globe, including ours, is a Season of Creation. On the face of things, today’s readings on wealth and poverty don’t seem to have much of a connection. With a little effort, however, we may find a powerful connection. Jesus tells a story about choices and consequences: A rich man fires his business manager, accusing him of … [Read more...]
Hammer & Fire
10 Pentecost C—8/18/19 Jer. 23:23-24,29; Psalm 82; Heb. 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 Pr. Scott Kramer Does anyone here this morning know what the weather forecast is for this afternoon? Many of us do have an idea. But, how do we know? Well, of course it’s because we’ve watched the news, or read the newspaper, or, most likely, checked our phone app! What would we do modern folk do without these things? Can you imagine forecasting the weather yourself? June 18th, 1974, started out … [Read more...]
Free Advertising!
7 Easter C—6/2/19 Acts 16:16-34 Pr. Scott Kramer Our church, as you know, is not necessarily easy to find. I like to tell the story of how I got lost the first FIVE times I tried to find it—this was before GPS—and those five times were even before I was called to be pastor here! From a marketing point of view, we are at a disadvantage. We’re not on the main drag, not near shopping and major services. Over the years, I’ve heard of neighbors who did not even know … [Read more...]
Stand Up!
6 Easter C—5/26/19 John 5:1-9 Pr. Scott Kramer Have you ever believed something, just because “everybody else” believes it? Not because it’s true, or a good idea, but just because that’s what people say, and it feels right, and we don’t have to change. We like to think of ourselves as free and independent thinkers, but all of us believe certain things because…"everybody else" does. Culture is like that! Some of these ideas and beliefs may even follow us from cradle … [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...]
Faithful Thomas
2 Easter B—4/8/18 1 John 1:1--2:2; John 20:19-31; Mark 16:1-8 Pr. Scott Kramer Our gospel reading for this second Sunday in Easter picks up where last Sunday’s Easter reading left off. Last Sunday we heard John’s account of the Easter story. But Mark’s account is the gospel that we follow this year. It, too, has an Easter story. (Read Mark 16:1-8) So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid. The … [Read more...]
Every Knee Shall Bend
17 Pentecost A—10/1/17 Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32 Pr. Scott Kramer Last Sunday we began our 9:00 a.m. study of “Living Buddha, Living Christ.” The book is written by a Buddhist monk who describes the many things that Buddhism and Christianity have in common. As I ponder these similarities I’ve reached the same conclusion as many other Christians that this is one of the most Christian books I’ve ever read! One of many teachings the Buddha and Jesus have in common is warnings against … [Read more...]
Ultra-Light Backpackin’ Tips 2017
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. –Matthew 11:29-30 A few weeks ago, I returned from an eight-day, 90-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT runs 2600+ miles from our Mexican border into Canada. Last year a friend, his adult children and I hiked the 70-mile section of the PCT from Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass. We enjoyed it so much that we chose to … [Read more...]
Chip Off the Old Rock
12 Pentecost A—8/27/17 Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Pr. Scott Kramer I have here a receipt that proves that I recently shopped for groceries at Fred Meyer. Nothing unusual: bread, cheese, fruit, milk, cereal. But down near the bottom of this receipt—and every Fred Meyer receipt I’ve seen recently—is this message: Tell Us How We Are Doing! The company provides a link to a survey which enters me in an online sweepstakes for gift cards ranging from $100 to $5000. I … [Read more...]
Words for Our Time
11 Pentecost A—8/20/17 Isaiah 56:1,6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a,29-32; Matt. 15:10-28 Pr. Scott Kramer Did you ever think you’d hear Jesus call someone stupid? Matthew 15 is a hard-hitting chapter in which Jesus exposes the hypocrisy and screwed-up priorities of religious people, including his own followers. It’s a chapter that speaks to American Christians in 2017, maybe especially over the past week following the events of Charlottesville, Virginia. The Christian who is deeply convinced of … [Read more...]