All Saints Sunday—11/5/17 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Pr. Scott Kramer Last Sunday we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. I have learned that this is an event with which my family has a close connection. I have here this morning a large volume that is a summary of family history on my dad’s side. My dad is our family genealogist and he has traced his ancestors back to Germany 500 years ago, both the time and the place of the Lutheran Reformation. This book is only … [Read more...]
Imitators of Christ
20 Pentecost A—10/22/17 Isaiah 45:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22 Pr. Scott Kramer This past week I made a pastoral visit to one of our own who as some of you know is recovering from a fall she experienced a few weeks ago. She is at a physical rehab center for at least the next six weeks; at the time of my visit she gratefully pointed out that the TV in her room plays the country music she enjoys. As a country music fan, she would no doubt recognize the name Billy Ray Cyrus. He’s … [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...]
Born Again
2 Lent A—3/12/17 Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5,13-17; John 3:1-17 Pr. Scott Kramer The Lord said to Abram, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” God had big plans for Abram. But what was required of Abram in return was a big move. Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you, God commands. Abram … [Read more...]
Salt of the Earth
5 Epiphany A—2/5/17 Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Matthew 5:13-20 Pr. Scott Kramer I remember a time as a young adult when I had just turned legal age. Wine and beer were familiar to me but cocktails were completely foreign. One day I was out to dinner with an older and more experienced friend, who explained some of the drinks listed on the menu. I settled on a Mai Tai. When the drink was served I took a sip and exclaimed, “That’s really salty!” My friend … [Read more...]
Just Business
4 Epiphany A—1/29/17 Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 Pr. Scott Kramer As you know, after worship this morning we will hold our congregation’s annual meeting for 2017. Likewise, on May 20th, Lutheran congregations from around Western Washington will come together for what we call Synod Assembly. These two gatherings are often described as the church’s annual “business meetings.” What would you say is the church’s “business?” Some of us might talk about budgets, … [Read more...]
A Holon One
18 Pentecost C--9/18/16 Cosmos Sunday Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 148; Colossians 1:15-20; John 6:41-51 Pr. Maggie Breen My dad died to alcoholism when he was 65. He had struggled with the loss of life much earlier. The ways of the world caused him great anxiety. He couldn’t work out how he fit, couldn’t find a way to the life he was made for, and so he drank. He lost his job, a job that never really used the gifts he had, in his early 40s. He never worked again, and he slowly, and painfully drank … [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...]
Goodness and Mercy
4 Easter C—4/17/16 Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 Pr. Scott Kramer When I go to the gym I like to listen to audiobooks while I’m working out. One book this past week was about a famous person you might recognize [play audio]. Yes, it’s My Brief History, a short autobiography of Stephen Hawking, the famous cosmologist. As you may know, when Hawking was a young man he developed ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak for most of his … [Read more...]