2 Easter B—4/12/15 Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2, John 20:19-31 Pr. Scott Kramer Before we gathered here for worship last Sunday many of us gathered around a fire by the lake before dawn and as we worshiped the sky grew brighter and the sun eventually rose above the horizon. Light and darkness are Easter themes and the author of our gospel and epistle readings this morning loves the language of light and dark. For example, in today’s second reading John assures us that God is … [Read more...]
Remembering
3 Lent B—3/8/15 Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22 Pr. Scott Kramer Well, what would have been your response if you were one of Jesus’ disciples? There he is, apparently having lost his mind, chasing animals, turning over tables, scattering money everywhere—in church! What would have been going through your mind? Surprisingly, on this occasion, Jesus’ disciples keep it together. Mark writes that His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your … [Read more...]
Game On
5 Epiphany B—2/8/15 Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39 Pr. Scott Kramer So, how are you doing today, Seahawks fans? Sorry to bring that up!—but I’m guessing you’re feeling a little better than when you woke up last Monday! The headline in Monday’s Seattle Times read, “DEFLATED.” Football fans recognize that as a reference to the underinflated football scandal leading up to the Super Bowl, but it was also an accurate description of how Seahawks fans … [Read more...]
From Distraction to Focus
4 Epiphany B—2/1/15 Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28 Pr. Scott Kramer Kick-off for the Super Bowl is just a few hours away. It’s been a wild ride getting to this point, hasn’t it! Early in the season it was looking like the Seahawks wouldn’t even make the playoffs, but here they are, back in the Super Bowl! What’s the difference in the team between now and last September? As the coach and players tell it, individuals were getting into arguments with … [Read more...]
Hail Mary Full of Grace
Advent, Week 4 Luke 1:26-38 By Melody Kroeger In the late 15th century, the gifted Italian Renaissance master Sandro Bottecelli, commissioned by the Church, painted the Annunciation scene. His painting, hanging in the main gallery in the Uffizi in Florence, is so powerful and beautiful that, 600 years later, people still travel across the world to see it. Bottecelli’s painting is unique because it captures, at least for me, that moment of hesitation - between Gabriel’s announcement and Mary’s … [Read more...]