Sermon Archives

2021

Intercalation: Together To Serve the Gospel

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: June
Date: 2021-06-27
Scripture: Mark 5:21-43
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A Gospel Sandwich today. Something for us to chew on as we ponder the boundless grace, love and awesome power of Jesus.

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Faith. Fear. Faith...

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: June
Date: 2021-06-20
Scripture: Mark 4:35-41; Job 38:1-11; Psalm 107:1
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God's silence is not God's absence. And Jesus' questions to his disciples are not questions of judgment or exasperation.

Mark 4:35-41
New International Version

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

World Refugee Sunday - Welcoming the Stranger

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: June
Date: 2021-06-13
Scripture: Mark 25:35-45
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God doesn't just abide with us when we're doing it right. That is good news since we often find ourselves falling short of the ideals to which we aspire. However, as we can see in Mark's gospel there are real consequences for our neighbours when we fail to act justly, with compassion.

Matthew 25:35-45

New Revised Standard Version

35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

The Kin-Dom of God is like... a Home Invasion

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: June
Date: 2021-06-06
Scripture: Mark 3:20-35
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In the Gospel reading from Mark we see God's exercise of power. Not power over, but power with. Alongside of. And God is in it for the long haul - with us and with all creation.

Mark 3:20-35
New International Version

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Let Your Lips Listen

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: May
Date: 2021-05-30
Scripture: John 3:1-17; Isaiah 6:1-8
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Hear a sermon that contrasts the humble obedience of the Prophet Isaiah with the exalted and haughty King Uzziah. We rejoice in the good news of a loving God who cares more about restoring than condemning. A God who cleanses and commissions us.

Fire As Metaphor

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: May
Date: 2021-05-23
Scripture: John 15:26-27,16:4b-15
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In the Gospel reading for this Pentecost Sunday, John points us to the grace-upon-grace abundant love of God. The invitation today is to remember and acknowledge so that we can be inspired again. And sent again, into the world.

John 15:26-27
New International Version

The Work of the Holy Spirit

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:4-15

4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Making Space For Growth

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: May
Date: 2021-05-16
Scripture: John 17:6-19
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Our God is a wise and gentle gardener. Our God is a God who makes space. The invitation for all of us today is to say yes to God's promise to provide space for our growth.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Resurrection and Relationship

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: May
Date: 2021-05-09
Scripture: John 15:9-17
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Love isn't first an action. Love is first a relationship. No matter where we are in our relationships on this earth we stand firmly planted in our relational identity with God. That leads us into joy! Pastor Phil shares this special sermon for Mothers Day, and includes a couple of videos, and some thoughts from the writings of Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.

 

John 15:9-17
New International Version

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Abide and Abound

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: May
Date: 2021-05-02
Scripture: John 15:1-8
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It's no sin to need help. In this message Pastor Phil shares and then reflects on a Blog post from Pastor Cindy Pincus "A Love Letter to Self Medicators". (Link below.)

The question posed by Pastor Phil: What if the Gospel is really as good as it sounds? What if we all are connected to God through Jesus? What if we don't have certain individuals cut off in God's pruning and cutting, but rather we all benefit from God's attentive care, just as Jesus said? This is the Gospel! And sharing the Gospel is nothing more than a hungry person telling other hungry people where they have found good food. We can all get behind that!

John 15
New International Version

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Use the link below to see the original post in Pastor Cindy Pincus' "Kardia Lumina" Blog.

https://www.kardialumina.com/blog/selfmedication

The Gospel According to MCM Limousin

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: April
Date: 2021-04-25
Scripture: John 10:11-18
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Today's sermon is a reminder that aspiring to be a good hired hand is a worthy calling. For further reading and reflections on John's gospel passage refer to the recent blog post, referenced in this message, by Dr. David Lose. http://www.davidlose.net/2021/04/easter-4-b-hired-hands/

John 10
New International Version

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

A Call From Beyond Our Immediate Experience

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: April
Date: 2021-04-18
Scripture: Luke 24:36-48
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Jesus asks "Why are you afraid?" For the disciples, and for us, the answer might be - "Are you kidding? There are LOTS of things that make us afraid!" The good news, for the disciples and for us, is that joy and hope are mixed in with the fear. But too often, because of our fallen humanity, feeling mixed up makes us feel stuck. The good new is that God's plans never fail us. Even if we fall short for a while, God never stops calling us. A prayer from our brothers and sisters in the Moravian Church reminds us of this...

Merciful God, there is more grace in you than sin in us. Let us not take this grace for granted, but use this gift you have given us for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Luke 24:36-48
New Revised Standard Version

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”[a] 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.[b] 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah[c] is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses[d] of these things.

Visionary But Not Delusional

Speaker: Bishop Michael Pryse
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Series: February
Date: 2021-02-14
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
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Bishop Michael Pryse - Bishop of the Eastern Synod - brings us a call for clarity on our mission as a church. We are cautioned not to confuse the means with the ends. We are not in the church business, we are in the business of extending God's blessing to the world. Our mission is God's mission.

Mark 9:2-9

New International Version

The Transfiguration

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

The Church of Four Fishers

Speaker: Bishop Sid Haugen
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Series: February
Date: 2021-02-07
Scripture: Mark 1:29-39
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A sermon from Bishop Sid Haugen, Synod of Saskatchewan.

Mark 1:29-39

(New International Version)

Jesus Heals Many

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Calling Out What Is Not Right

Speaker: Bishop Susan Johnson
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Series: January
Date: 2021-01-31
Scripture: Mark 1:21-28
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Today's Message:
"Calling Out What is not Right."
ELCIC National Bishop
Rev. Susan Johnson

The Summons

Speaker: Bishop Greg Mohr
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Series: January
Date: 2021-01-24
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
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Another sermon in a series of recorded messages prepared by our synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada. Reverend Greg Mohr, ELCIC Bishop of the Synod of British Columbia, reflects on the ominous words from Mark's gospel "Now after John was arrested..."

The gospel speaks to us of the call that we each have to ministry. A call that we are given in spite of - or perhaps because of - the challenges and darkness that we see around us. What does it mean to live out this calling in the 21st century?

Mark 1:14-20

New Revised Standard Version

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

It Was a Thursday

Speaker: Bishop Larry Kochendorfer
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Series: January
Date: 2021-01-17
Scripture: John 1:43-51
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This sermon is one of a series of recorded messages prepared by our synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada. Today we have Reverend Larry Kochendorfer, ELCIC Bishop of Alberta and the Territories, with a message for Epiphany. The sermon is based on the Gospel of John, and relates a moment of epiphany in Bishop Larry's own life. There are moments when we glimpse God at work. Sometimes those moments transform us.

Baptism - What It Means For Us Today

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: January
Date: 2021-01-10
Scripture: Mark 1:4-11
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This sermon is a reminder of God's gift to us - the gift of our identity as beloved Children of God. The message was written by Jason Zinko, ELCIC Bishop of the Manitoba N.W. Ontario Synod. Hearing it read by Pastor Phil we ponder together what it means for us. How is John's story an example for us today? What does it mean to be called by the Living God "a beloved child". How does this identity empower us and guide us? 

Mark 1:4-11   (New International Version)

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Image "Baptism of Christ" by David Zelenka Published under a Creative Commons license on Wikimedia.

Never Alone

Speaker: Pastor Philip K. Penrod
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Series: January
Date: 2021-01-03
Scripture: John 1:1-18
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In our gospel reading from the first chapter of John certain words and phrases are repeated. In this sermon we are invited to reflect on the word "WITH" and the ways this word is used in John's description of the character and nature of God. This is a timely reminder - we are never alone. Emmanuel. God With Us.

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“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”

Alexander Graham Bell