9 Pentecost C—8/11/19 Isaiah 1:1,15-20; Luke 12:32-40 Pr. Scott Kramer Some of you may remember the story of Moses receiving from God the Ten Commandments. The story is not one of our readings for today, and yet, in response to today’s readings, I have found renewed sympathy for Moses. In the story, Moses climbs a high mountain, where God gives him a set of laws intended to order a newly-liberated people’s life together. But in the view of the people, Moses is gone too long. They … [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...]
Willing
Christ the King Sunday November 26, 2017 Matthew 25 Nathan Michael Black Good morning! It’s a joy to be with you all on this weekend of gratitude, feasting, and spending time with loved ones. I hope this holiday time has been good for each of you. And I know the holidays can be difficult times for many of us. Please know that we hold each of you in our hearts and if you need anything during this season, please call the church to speak with us. Let us go to God in prayer: Dear … [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...]
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...]
The Language of Love
PentecostA17—6/4/17 Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 Pr. Scott Kramer When the day of Pentecost had come, the apostles were all together in one place…All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. When I visit China, or if I simply visit a local Chinese restaurant, when I say a few words of Chinese the person I’m speaking to smiles, and surprised, might say, “Oh, you speak Chinese!” Well, I … [Read more...]
Saving the World
2 Easter A—4/23/17 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Pr. Scott Kramer (Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Seattle) A couple of weeks ago I was in the checkout line at our local hardware store and overheard a conversation behind me. It was between a store employee and a young man and woman who are fairly new to the area. When he learned that the young woman works in a local research lab, this store employee said, “Oh, my daughter works in the city as an epidemiologist.” And then he chuckled, “She’s trying … [Read more...]