Sep 18, 2016
Children of Light
Series: (All)
September 18, 2016. Today's sermon begins with a skit dramatizing the Parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16:1-13. Pastor Penny then asks us why Jesus told this story, and what we are meant to learn. She compares us to the title character in the movie The Truman Show, who thought he lived in a natural world, but found out by accident that he was really trapped in a reality TV show. Are we in some ways trapped too, in a life we see as being all about ourselves and our success? Truman found a way out of his predicament. Can we find a way out too? Can we become what Jesus called Children of Light? To answer this question, Jesus offers us two pieces of advice and a promise. His answer is all that we have, but it's also all we need. *** [Keywords: God Karen Wood Katrina Lynn Luke 16:1-13 Parable of the Shrewd Manager Roger Rose Steve McCarty Truman Show accident actors adjusting loans advice all we have all we need broadcasting buying friends Children of Light community dishonest wealth dramatization eternity expense of others fired focused forgive get involved managers money new identity observant ocean own our lives persistent promise reality TV share shrewd simulated weather ski skit snorkel support take risks this generation trapped two worlds wealth welcome welcoming winner]
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  • Sep 18, 2016Children of Light
    Sep 18, 2016
    Children of Light
    Series: (All)
    September 18, 2016. Today's sermon begins with a skit dramatizing the Parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16:1-13. Pastor Penny then asks us why Jesus told this story, and what we are meant to learn. She compares us to the title character in the movie The Truman Show, who thought he lived in a natural world, but found out by accident that he was really trapped in a reality TV show. Are we in some ways trapped too, in a life we see as being all about ourselves and our success? Truman found a way out of his predicament. Can we find a way out too? Can we become what Jesus called Children of Light? To answer this question, Jesus offers us two pieces of advice and a promise. His answer is all that we have, but it's also all we need. *** [Keywords: God Karen Wood Katrina Lynn Luke 16:1-13 Parable of the Shrewd Manager Roger Rose Steve McCarty Truman Show accident actors adjusting loans advice all we have all we need broadcasting buying friends Children of Light community dishonest wealth dramatization eternity expense of others fired focused forgive get involved managers money new identity observant ocean own our lives persistent promise reality TV share shrewd simulated weather ski skit snorkel support take risks this generation trapped two worlds wealth welcome welcoming winner]
  • Sep 11, 2016Stuck in the Weeds
    Sep 11, 2016
    Stuck in the Weeds
    Series: (All)
    September 11, 2016. Today Pastor Penny talks about outcasts of society. We tend to think of ourselves as respectful, hardworking, and good people. We have confidence in ourselves. But that confidence can be shaken, by terrorists attacking our cities, by downturns affecting our economy. Now Jesus is asking us to consider how secure our sense of confidence is when, like the Pharisees in the gospels, we often don't treat those on the fringes of society the same as we treat others. We tend to get stuck in the spiritual weeds of selfishness, bigotry, and anger. But just as God loved even the Pharisees, he loves us. This gives us a sense of humility and of gratitude, and the question becomes not how can we love the outcasts of society, but how can we find them and show them that God loves them too. *** [Keywords: Jesus Pharisees angry bigoted children of God class clown class reunion confidence criminals degenerate people dregs of society drink responsibly drug addicts economic downturn field fringes good people gratitude grudges hardworking high school humility ingrates investments jealous jeopardy judgemental losers nurse practitioner outcasts prostitutes radical terrorists receive respectful robe security selfishness shattered stuck ulterior motives weeds]
  • Aug 28, 2016How Can We Not Invite?
    Aug 28, 2016
    How Can We Not Invite?
    Series: (All)
    August 28, 2016. In Jesus' day, it was honorable to give to the poor. But to invite them to your table was shameful. Today, Pastor Penny issues us a challenge: let's help God grow our congregation by inviting people in. Sometimes we are afraid to be seen as "Bible thumping Christians." But if we don't invite people to join us, to share with them the rich food of faith that God has heaped on our plates, are we like the Pharisees in the gospels who hoarded the banquet for themselves? *** [Keywords: Aaron Elliot Bible thumping Emmy Jason Multiple Sclerosis Pharisees Potluck and Praise anchor banquet feast grandfather growing guest list hoarding honeymoon invitation invite a friend inviting non-denominational reception rich food of faith shared youth coordinator skilled nursing center unchurched wedding planning wheelchair]
  • Aug 21, 2016Breaking the Rules
    Aug 21, 2016
    Breaking the Rules
    Series: (All)
    August 21, 2016. Today Pastor Penny preaches on the story of Jesus healing the disabled woman in the synagogue on the Sabbath, in Luke 13:10-17. If laws are allowed to be broken, the whole system can fall apart. But what if blindly following laws results in some people in society becoming invisible to us? What if we end up seeing only one side of an issue, the side that benefits us and does not challenge our beliefs? How can we free ourselves of this? Jesus' answer to the synagogue leader's indignance was to point out his hypocrisy. Might Jesus be an answer for us as well? *** [Keywords: African American Angela Martin Broken Windows theory Luke 13:10-17 Native Americans Philando Castile Sabbath St. Paul, Minnesota Whitney Plantation, Louisiana beliefs benefit bent over bridge challenge criminology daughter of Abraham deceiver disability disabled ex-con freed gay healed healing hypocrisy hypocrite insulated invisible issue judgement killing law lesbian liar one side one thing leads to another police pretender selfish selfishness share slave status suicide synagogue leader woman]
  • Jul 24, 2016Thoughts on Prayer
    Jul 24, 2016
    Thoughts on Prayer
    Series: (All)
    July 24, 2016. In Genesis 18:20-33, God listens to Abraham as he begs for Sodom. Today, Pastor Penny talks about how not only does God listen to our prayers, but she suggests that perhaps he also needs our prayers. Prayer can be dangerous but is also the safest thing we can do, because by praying we're putting ourselves at God's disposal in building his kingdom and opening ourselves to the needs and concerns of others. Pastor Penny then invites Noah Hornbeck to share his thoughts on the recent trip to Papua New Guinea, what his stay there was like, and what might the people there pray for for us, and what we might pray for for them. *** [Keywords: Abraham Australia Central States Synod Genesis 18:20-33 God needs our prayers God's kingdom I am your parent Islam Jesus Jesus Christ Lord's Prayer Luke Luther Matthew Noah Hornbeck Our Father who art in heaven Papua New Guinea Pastor Penny Holste Small Catechism Sodom St. Louis United States amazing way of life answer to our own prayer at God's disposal audacious bamboo bartering session boat ride brothers and sisters build the kingdom building his kingdom built us a house call me Father call me Mother dangerous death and resurrection depend on each other different state of life disdain dispassionate distant don't lose their way of life facebook feet gift hallowed be thy name hands heart hearts and minds are open held holy homeless person hospitable hospitals hurtful inflict harm on each other killing merciful master mouth needs and concerns of others newspaper organizations organized chaos pray for us prayer purpose receive reciting for our own benefit rough places safer arms safest thing we can do schedule seminary servants someone else's prayer someone we cannot see someone who mourns speaking stamina supporting technology third world country thoughts thy kingdom come tragedies trouble praying turbulent world unconditional love used car lot voting vulnerable walking streets youth representatives]
  • Jul 17, 2016Just One Thing You Need
    Jul 17, 2016
    Just One Thing You Need
    Series: (All)
    July 17, 2016. With a skit featuring Katrina Lynn, Pastor Penny preaches on the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42. Why do we feel the need, as Martha did, to be perfect? Whether we're given this role from family or pick it up from society around us, we tend to criticize ourselves when we don't do everything perfectly. But Jesus is telling us that it's the sharing and caring that are important, that the one thing we need is to know that God loves us just as we are. Like Mary, we are sitting at Jesus' feet, and we need to hear this again and again: that God loves us and gives us strength to face the world, and to do something about it. *** [Keywords: African American After the Party August 1944 Bibles France French chef Jacques Pépin God loves us God's love Jesus loved her Jesus loves us Katrina Lynn Luke 10:38-42 Martha Martin Luther Mary Nazi control Paris Pastor Penny Holste angry audacity bad decisions best china best silver black sisters candybar carnage caucasian conversation criticize ourselves death deeds defy the evil limitations of society dialog difficult world disappointed in myself disciples distracted elaborate meal entertained entirety evil restrictions experience falafels fast 40 days forgive forgiven this world gift good and bad good decisions good wine grill guy-wires honored guest hopeless hospitality how are you not resentful how you entertain people humiliated inefficient injustices judging key to success kitchen learning letters to Congress liberated life make us forgiving move forward needful nice meal one thing we need one word owned by fathers and husbands paralizes us path forward perfect perfection prayer property pulled in different places race issues resurrection school share it sharing and caring sit at his feet sitting at Jesus' feet skit stamina strength through the bad parts tub of water for his feet two words up at dawn we are wholly blameless and irreproachable before God white women women world God made yogurt]
  • Jul 3, 2016What We Have to Offer
    Jul 3, 2016
    What We Have to Offer
    Series: (All)
    July 3, 2016. We are living in a time of populist anger and frustration. But if everyday people know better than the wealthy elite, and they seem to be doing okay, then what do we have to offer them? And what about people who have to deal with fear and self-doubt alone? What do we have to offer them? Today, Pastor Penny talks about these issues from the perspective of faith, prayer, community, and the Gospel. *** [Keywords: Anita Brexit Busch Stadium Cardinals game Christ Christ is with us European Union Founding Fathers Mothers Fourth of July weekend Jesus North St. Louis Pastor Penny Holste UK United Kingdom Washington afraid of violence alone anchor baseball bubbled up challenges commentator common people couldn't erase it country cured people with demons dangers without deep problem desperate need didn't earn it disadvantaged people disciples doctor closed urgent care office doing just fine don't control downtown dread drink elevator speech emotions governing city country world faith community family fear footballs friend frustration gifts of food given their lives golf gun battle gun repository hail storm harvest harvest is plentiful have your speech ready health financial issue heroin use immigrants income inequality indelible ink investigate publish truth jobs juggling juicy keep doing laborers love and sacrifice loving God has final say loving family lower class middle class feels disenfranchised money more than we can bear nagging fear need to share neighbors news nice houses no Syrians nobody's listening offering plate office overstepping our bounds peace planted tomatoes play in sports political freedoms political parties populist anger power prayed prayer presumptuous proclaim the Gospel real joy your names are written in Heaven responsibilities ripe school schools scripture self-doubt sharp edge of fear began to melt squirrels strength strong gun sales suicide tell me about church temptations within together too many rules regulations trusted to make decisions uplifted urgent wave of relief we are forgiven wealthy elite western Kansas what do we have to offer them what is it that you believe wheat farmers why do they need to come to church working side by side worship zucchini crop]
  • Jun 26, 2016The Big Picture
    Jun 26, 2016
    The Big Picture
    Series: (All)
    June 26, 2016. Sometimes we can miss the big picture if we're looking at the details. Today, Pastor Penny preaches on the story in Luke 9:53-62, in which Jesus is rejected by the people in a Samaritan village and the disciples ask whether they should destroy them. Jesus tells them they don't understand the spirit of what they're doing. They're missing the big picture. Today, Jesus is inviting us to go all in, helping him to do the work of the kingdom of God. *** [Keywords: Christ is with you Jesus Keith Lord's Prayer Luke 9:53-62 Noah Hornbeck Papua New Guinea Pastor Penny Holste Samaria Samaritan village Webster Groves retired police officer abandoned accepted us animal safety ask baptism bringing bury my father call down the fire of Heaven and destroy them came out came to save people not destroy them cartoon carved heart with their initials children comfortable and safe environment cultural expectation of men details disciples disheartening troubling response do it completely do the work don't count the cost elderly couple embrace those who create evil environment extension of kingdom of God father of gay man father's burial feeling what we feel felt scorn follow foster children heart leading here on earth homosexuality how can we say no human being incarnate introduction invitation to join Jesus in work inviting us to go all in killed him looking for something love and forgiveness love of God marched mentoring adults missing the big picture never heard message before nonprofits not a very friendly place for Jews peace and justice people permanent place to live political scene of day pride parade raised third day rebuked them rejected remote area seminary sent ahead to prepare lodging sexual orientation show support spirit of what they're doing spotty internet taking message out teaching trunk of large tree underprivileged up against the authorities want you beside me always white single woman willing to give up willing to take risks women not as important work we do together you don't understand spirt of what we're doing]
  • Jun 12, 2016The New Simon
    Jun 12, 2016
    The New Simon
    Series: (All)
    June 12, 2016. Storyteller Roger Rose presents an ending to the Gospel story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman in the home of Simon, and Pastor Penny relates it to how we can be tempted to use the very advantages God has given us to shelter us from having to face sins of the heart. How nice it would be to feel the sense of forgiveness the woman in the story had. If Simon had been able to feel the same forgiveness, how might his life look different? *** [Keywords: Amos worked in orchard Bible scholars David humble shepherd Egyptian murderer God renounced right to punish us Gospel story Harry Potter Hunger Games James Bond Jesus being anointed Katniss Everdeen Moses Pastor Penny Holste Pharisee Princess Leia Roger Rose Spirit drawn us here today Star Wars The New Simon absolution admit our sins admit sins of the heart advantages alternate ending approval love of God authority of Temple in Jerusalem basket of food bling bowl of water bows of respect bread and wine community confession conversations country bumpkin crashed party decision has already been made defiled different life disapproval dramatist faith forgive means forth giving garb and tattoos go in peace head table host house humble status belie divine nature ice breaker if you could be any character in famous book or movie impudent upstart inferior inner city drive joy love contentment utter peace judgement kissed feet lawn landscaping crew learned scribe less visible sins of the heart lifestyle loose woman model citizen monied and educated motorcyclist no desire or power to punish ongoing problems only speak one language open doors party guests passion of woman priest prostitute receiving full impact of forgiveness reclining around low table reputation saggy jeans scandalized scorn sense of forgiveness sent by God shelter sit down by Jesus' feet smiling look of love and joy songs we sing speak English status storyteller temptation tempted touched sinful woman's elbow true peace unnamed woman voices that have judged contradicted scorned us walked through market warm climate washed feet with tears what would change look like wiped feet with hair words we hear workshop wrong about healer from Nazareth your sins are forgiven]
  • Jun 5, 2016Death or Life
    Jun 5, 2016
    Death or Life
    Series: (All)
    June 5, 2016. Pastor Penny tells the story in Luke 7:11-16 of Jesus raising the widow's son at Nain. The crowd was terrified. They believed that death was their fate. Would we have been terrified too? God is not content for us to be ruled by fear. He sent Jesus so that we don't have to go through life accepting death as our fate. *** [Keywords: Abigail Garden of Eden God about life not death God interacted with people God sees us God sent Jesus Good Samaritan Gospel lesson Greek word for compassion Jesus will keep his promise Luke 7:11-16 Nain Nation of Israel Pastor Penny Holste Young man I tell you rise up above laws of nature accepting death after harvest beggar bier bloodied body of dead son bring light to whole world cemetary clearly moved clothes goods taken compassion confused could not help himself crazy crowd's response custom death or life defile himself depend on laws of nature destitute disciples don't cry earn living end of this life is not the end ends of the earth fate father of Prodigal Son fear of death feeling lost feelings come from stomach framework full of joy grandmother grasped in fear happy hard for us to believe in miracles have property hold job kissed his son know the depth of God's compassion life full of love life given back light of God's love live without death looked at her face my heart bled my heart hurt nearly dead next life out of control pain paralyzed platform rational belief reaction to widow reason he came and died robbed ruled by fear sat up and began speaking scared screaming and fainting silent person speaks to dead body story told by someone who was there stranger supernatural miracle terrified crowd the body moved there will be a place for us touched the bier unseemly to go running wave of illness wave of sickness we can believe it we would be afraid too who is that man widow's son women]