13 Pentecost C—9/8/19 Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 Pr. Scott Kramer When I was born sixty years ago, I was the center of the universe. I soon learned, however, that this was not quite true. My family was bigger than that. Mom and Dad took good care of me. But over the next few years I discovered, sometimes to my dismay, that I wasn’t the center of their attention. Two more siblings came along and we became a family of five. As the … [Read more...]
Love and Family
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...]
For All the Saints
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...]
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...]
The Law of Love
2 Pentecost B—6/7/15 Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 Pr. Scott Kramer Three weeks ago in New Zealand a five year-old boy was hit by a car in front of the home of Harman Singh. Harman Singh is a Sikh and, like all practicing Sikh men, he wears a turban in public. But when he saw the little boy bleeding on the pavement he unwrapped his turban and used it to cushion the boy’s head and neck until the medics arrived. What makes this act of compassion … [Read more...]