“The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” -John 4:14 This Sunday, January 9th, the church worldwide celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. But why did Jesus submit to be baptized by John? John the Baptist’s ministry offered people “a baptism of repentance for …
I have a collection of old family Bibles at home, some of which are well over 100 years old. There is my Confirmation Bible—the purple hardcover with my full name (including Gilbert!) embossed in gold letters on the front. There is the small Bible Dad carried throughout the South Pacific when he served as a …
Devotion, December 3, 2021: The Wonder of a Name Read More »
Dear First Pres. Members & Friends, This Sunday we celebrate Christ the King—the final Sunday of the Christian calendar year. It is a time to celebrate and remember that Jesus Christ is a different kind of king. He now sits enthroned in heavenly glory: King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet we encounter this …
Devotion, November 19: Hope, Aspiration, and the Path Forward Read More »
“For by grace you have been saved by through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” -Ephesians 2:8 This past week, our daughter underwent major surgery at the University of Chicago. The surgery was scheduled for 12-14 hours. After a hurried prayer in midst of …
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” On Thinking of Others as Better than Yourself Our Bible text for this Sunday is from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, a faith-community he held in particular affection and regard. He is writing to them from his prison in Rome, with a …
The Priesthood of Jesus When Christians speak of the identity and role of Jesus, titles like “Shepherd,” “Messiah,” “Savior” and “King” come to mind. Less familiar is the title of “Priest”—much less “a great high priest,” as he is named in Hebrews 4:12-16, our scripture lesson for this coming Sunday. When we hear the word …
Revival “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” -Psalm 19:7 This week, Deb and I joined with some old friends aboard the schooner Lewis R. French to sail across the islet-strewn waters of Penobscot Bay, Maine. Our cruise had been scheduled for 2020, but the warm, sunny days and …
In the Ninth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus returns from the mountain of his Transfiguration to encounter a chaotic scene not unlike that which Moses encountered at the foot of Mt. Sinai. What is contributing to the chaos is a lack of faith. There is a father of an epileptic boy who has …
Devotion: Between Faith and Doubt | August 15, 2021 Read More »
“Be Still…” Psalm 46, known as “Luther’s Psalm,” is the second-most favorite psalm in the Bible, surpassed only by The Shepherd’s Psalm: Psalm 23. Psalm 46 will be our text for this Fourth of July weekend as our congregation gives thanks and prays for our nation. At the heart of Psalm 46, the words “Be …
“…so we, who are many, are one body in Christ.” Romans 12:8 This Sunday, our congregation will have the high privilege of participating in the ordination and installation of the women and men they elected to serve them as Ruling Elders and Deacons. Along with Ministers of Word and Sacrament, these are the three categories …