Tag: luke

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Sermon: Drop the Blanket!

Dennis

Luke 2:1-20 Christmas Eve December 24, 2015 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN   On December 9, 1965 something special happened. On that day 50 years ago, CBS first broadcast The Charlie Brown Christmas Special.  I’ve done some reading on the special and it was unique for a lot of reason.  First off, is the soundtrack. Instead of some music more fitting of a cartoon, we get the smooth jazz sounds of Vince Girauldi.  Also did you know that it caused the end of aluminum Christmas trees?  When a remark is made panning the trees, sales dipped.  By 1967, aluminum trees … Continue reading Sermon: Drop the Blanket!

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Sermon: “But We Had Hoped…”

Dennis

Luke 24:13-35 Third Sunday of Easter May 4, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN   In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of … Continue reading Sermon: “But We Had Hoped…”

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Sermon: “The Healing Power of Collard Greens”

Dennis

This is a sermon I preached on Easter evening in 2005.  It is the text I will be preaching on this Sunday for the Third Sunday in Easter. Luke 24:13-35 April 10, 2005 Community of Grace Christian Church St. Paul, MN I love good food, and it probably shows. I consider myself lucky to be born in the family that I’m in, because I grew up with two wonderful cooking traditions. On my father’s side is the African American tradition of the Deep South. It’s a tradition of fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing and sweet potato … Continue reading Sermon: “The Healing Power of Collard Greens”

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Sermon: “Fit for A King”

Dennis

The following is a sermon I preached on Christ the King Sunday in 2004.  The gospel text for that Sunday is the one that will be used this coming Sunday.   “Fit for a King” Luke 23:33-43 November 21, 2004 (Christ the King Sunday) Community of Grace Christian Church St. Paul, MN   Today is Christ the King Sunday.  It is the last Sunday of the Church Year which begins with the first Sunday in Advent, which is next Sunday.  It is on this Sunday that we are reminded of Jesus as our King, our Ruler, our Lord. I consider … Continue reading Sermon: “Fit for A King”

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Sermon: “Oh Lord, It’s Hard to Be Humble…”

Dennis

Luke 18:9-14 October 27, 2013 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN This parable reminds me of General Akbar from Star Wars.  He’s the fish like guy from the Return of the Jedi who realizes the Rebel forces are in danger.  He utters a line that most science fiction geeks know by heart: “It’s a trap!” The reason I decided to give you one more clue that I’m a geek, is because the passage today has a trap built into it- one that you can’t see so easily.  The trap is out there in plain sight but because we are so focused … Continue reading Sermon: “Oh Lord, It’s Hard to Be Humble…”

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Sermon: “He May Not Come When You Want To…”

Dennis

Luke 18:1-8 Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost October 20, 2013 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN I’ve learned a lot about growing old from my parents…and my 15-year old cat, Felix.  Maybe the most important thing I have learned is that growing old isn’t for weaklings. Now growing old is not all negative, but there are things that happen with age- like dealing with arthritis.  Felix doesn’t leap up to the bed like he used.  For my parents, it’s not easy going up and downstairs.  Old cats and old humans both have issues that can rob them of a little dignity. As … Continue reading Sermon: “He May Not Come When You Want To…”

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Sermon: “On the Verge of a Miracle”

Dennis

“On the Verge of a Miracle” Luke 17:11-19 Twenty-First Sunday of Pentecost October 13, 2013 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN I grew up in very unusual area. My home town of Flint is about an hour West and South of Canada. Yes, you heard me correctly, South to Canada. Detroit is the only place in America where one can look due South into Canada. The town of Windsor, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. Because Detroit is on a border, this means that people commute between the two nations on a daily basis. Windsor, like its … Continue reading Sermon: “On the Verge of a Miracle”

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Come Sunday: “Let’s Get Liminal” (October 13, 2013)

Dennis

Borders are interesting things.  I grew up in Michigan only an hour in two directions to the US/Canadian border.  When driving accross a border, you stop at a booth where someone from Customs asks why you are coming to their fair nation and what are your intentions.  After looking at our passports, the officer waves us through to a new nation. Come Sunday: “Let’s Get Liminal” (October 13, 2013). Continue reading Come Sunday: “Let’s Get Liminal” (October 13, 2013)

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Sermon: “Well I’ll Be Damned?”

Dennis

Luke 16:19-31 Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost September 29, 2012 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN The first time I ever really saw a panhandler was when I lived in Washington, DC. I lived in the nation’s capital from 1992 to 1996 doing various jobs at nonprofits. I haven’t been to DC in years, so things might have changed, but back then Washington had a lot of homeless folk, living a hard life on the streets. There seemed to be a lot of homeless people near the church I attended in Chinatown. But whether I was in Chinatown or near the Capitol, … Continue reading Sermon: “Well I’ll Be Damned?”

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Sunday Sermon: “Big Time”

Dennis

Today’s sermon is based off a song from recording artist Peter Gabriel from 1987.  You can watch the video below. “Big Time” Luke 12:13-21 Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost August 4, 2013 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN People in my generation are familiar with the artist Peter Gabriel.  He was the lead singer for the British band Genesis and then left to start a solo career.  His best known album is So, released in 1986.  It was a very popular album with some memoriable songs and visually stunning music videos.  I remember seeing the video for the song “Sledgehammer” and it … Continue reading Sunday Sermon: “Big Time”