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]
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  • 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]
  • Sep 4, 2016The Choice of Discipleship
    Sep 4, 2016
    The Choice of Discipleship
    Series: (All)
    September 4, 2016. Following Jesus is not a joyride, but rather a new kind of lifestyle. It's a commitment that comes with a cost: potentially being at odds with your family, your community, and the world. But Pastor Keith says that maybe we should stop thinking of it as a "cost" and instead think of it as a "choice." When Jesus suffered and died, he paid the cost. We choose to be in relationship with him and accept the opportunity to receive this gift and follow him. We want to reflect his love and goodness, and the abundant care of God in all our relationships with others. *** [Keywords: Carolyn Lewis Jacob Labor Day Leah Martin Luther New Orleans Onesimus Paul Philemon Rachel abundant care choice commitment cost crowds discipleship fair wages goodness hate identity Jesus joyride king love marriage new kind of lifestyle perpetual polygamy sacrifices second place slave tower unconditional war wedding ring of faith workers]
  • 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]
  • Aug 14, 2016Keep Running the Race
    Aug 14, 2016
    Keep Running the Race
    Series: (All)
    August 14, 2016. Have you ever given up on God? Guest pastor Tom Schoenherr preaches today, during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, on Hebrews 12:1-2 about running the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the pioneer and perfecter of faith. But in the Greek, the word for race also means struggle. Sometimes when bad things happen to us or to our loved ones, we find it difficult to stay in the race, to keep struggling in the faith. We find it hard to keep believing. Why do bad things happen to good people? When they do, turning away from God may seem easier. But then we're struggling alone. We need to know that God doesn't cause bad things to happen. But he is there for us in moments of despair, he weeps with us, and he sends wonderful people to help us, so that we can keep running the race. *** [Keywords: abby abigail accident agony agóna alone battle believe believing cloud crash david despair faith fate grandchildren greek grieving healing hebrews 12:1-2 intervene janet jenny maddy mark maya olympics perfecter pioneer pray prayer prevent protection race recklessness rio roock running schoenherr struggle suffering swimming thoughtlessness tom tragedy travel weep witnesses]
  • Aug 7, 2016Sharing the Weight
    Aug 7, 2016
    Sharing the Weight
    Series: (All)
    August 7, 2016. Guest pastor Rebecca Boardman, from Lutheran Campus Ministry, brings us a message today on bearing the weight. If we took on all the pain and all the hurt in the world, we would be crushed under the weight of it. Sometimes we can become insensitive, complacent, or apathetic to the world around us. But the Gospel beacons us to be ready. God meets us in the broken places, not in the perfection of what we will receive. We are all in the family of God, and he calls us to love and cherish one another. *** [Keywords: Advent Ferguson God doesn't require anything of us God is already there God meets us in the broken places Gospel beacons us to be alert Heavenly reward Houston Islamophobia LCM Lutheran Campus Ministry Muslim North St. Louis Olympics Planned Parenthood ROTC Roger Ruff Roock family Sudan Syria Texas Washington University academic achievement apathetic backpack culture be awake bears who hibernate in winter body of Christ break bread brokenness all around us calendar campus house carry around the weight catastrophe chemotherapy coffee shop comfy couches competing complacent connection crushed under the weight death dorm elderly find ways to be ready first week of school heavy bag homeless hospitality of the heart hot and humid house renovation humanity hungry inner city program insensitive keeping up with the Joneses library love and cherish one another not in the perfection of what we will achieve opening ceremonies opposite ends of the spectrum our story is about losing life perfection preoccupations preparing for Jesus reconciliation refugees respect responsibility safe place season of waiting and preparation share the weight of our backpacks share wine sick so much pain and hurt and hate in this world space at the table state of readiness story of Chris and Olivia students summertime toughen up to vastness of evil around us tragedy trivia tunnel vision turbulence unexpected vacation we are all in the family of God we need to be in relationship with our neighbor who is absent from your life widow winning the gold withholding forgiveness]
  • Jul 31, 2016Plenty to Go Around
    Jul 31, 2016
    Plenty to Go Around
    Series: (All)
    July 31, 2016. Pastor Keith preaches on the parable in Luke 12:17-24 of the farmer who plans to store up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God. Money can consume, divert, and distract us, separating us from our true selves and causing our connections with others and with God to go away. Money can lead us to believe that we're in control of our own lives. But when we don't trust in God, it's hard to care for our neighbors and our community. We need to know that we are loved by a generous God. In his plan there is plenty to go around. *** [Keywords: 80 hour weeks Amazon Bible Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom God loves us lavishly God will care for you Jesus feeds 5000 Lord's supper Luke 12:17-24 Old Testament Pastor Keith Holste Zacchaeus all alone all will have what they need anxious underneath banquet table baskets left over care children of the promise community company concern connections consume cycle deceives deluded destructive destructive forces die alone tonight distract divert dividing inheritance early retirement eat drink and be merry family fights farmer fearful of failure fishes generous generous God giving to others higher income ill will caused by fights over money in God we trust in control income joy lifestyles living on treadmill living their life living with others loaves love of money money neighbors not rich toward God our own lives our true selves pattern perpetual concern plenty to go around possessions power proceeds purpose in life pursuit of money rich lives riches sense of self share provisions share with others sharing what we have so prone to wrecking relationships store up treasure take life easy tax man tear down barns this day you will die too much trust what time is left for anyone else worldly abundance worship the golden calves]
  • 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 10, 2016Changing the System
    Jul 10, 2016
    Changing the System
    Series: (All)
    July 10, 2016. We can talk about love. We can believe in love. We can do lots of loving. But if the systems are unchanged, the problems that cause hurt won't go away. Today, Pastor Keith preaches on the parable of the good Samaritan. How often do we avoid those in need because we don't see them as our neighbors? Jesus embodied mercy to us. But how can we live out this mercy? Working one-on-one, working within organizations, or working to change the system, God gives us the eyes and ears to recognize need. We only need to be willing to do something about it. *** [Keywords: Babylon Black and Blue play Dorothy Day Epworth Gateway 180 Gerizim Hammond, IN Humanitri Jefferson City Jesus Jewish Levite Lord have mercy Luther Seminary Lutheran Family and Children's Services Metro St. Louis Muslim Pastor Keith Holste Philando Castile St. Paul, MN Syrians agency avoid those in need awful people believe bind mercy together burdens change the system cheering community compassion cross democratic process died discern do something about it drawing close dying a very death like ours ears to hear earth education embodied mercy employment ethnicity expectation eyes to see full human beings good Samaritan hate by the Jews healers healing power of God health care heart high school student inn intermarried jeering justice least of these left at the side of the road live out love love our neighbors as ourselves loving mercy mind misery need neighborhoods oil one-on-one open their eyes parable person of mercy persuasion potential threats prayer priest real estate recognize need redemption revolt rich and successful Jew salvation scripture skills for living social workers soul statistics strength suffered sympathy put into action systems are unchanged tends to his wounds the way of mercy those in need unclean underserved uprising upside down vigil vulnerability what must I do to be saved who is my neighbor willingness within organizations]