Ministering to Victims Links

The following links were posted after a "Not in Our Pews" event that I coordinated and helped lead.  The issues of domestic violence and sexual assault are deeply important justice issues for me and often come through in my preaching and teaching.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Safe Avenues (Shelter and Services)
State of MN Service Providers
Minnestoa Coalition for Battered Women
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
PACT for Families Collaborative

CLERGY/THEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Proverbs of Ashes
Focus Guide for Clergy, Lincoln and Lancaster County
Responding to Domestic Violence, Chicago Metro Battered Women's Network Resource
ELCA Resources
Faith Trust Institute

Children's Sermon - Books are the Best!

I really enjoy children's sermons.  I should probably be more specific.  I really enjoy children's sermons when they are NOT simply a way to show off how cute the kids are and when they are NOT simply a watered down version of the sermon.

I always try to connect my time with the kids to one of the lessons, preferably one of the ones I'm not preaching directly on.  My favorite way to share a message with the children is through children's literature.  There is a wealth of amazing books out there - and I'm not talking just "Christian" books.  Here are some of my favorites:

Road to Emmaus Sermon

The following sermon is from the Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
The gospel reading is the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, from Luke 24.13-35

From the NRSV translation:
Luke 24:13   Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,  14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,

I LOVE CAMP!!!

I believe Bible camps are one of the most valuable resources we have as a church.  Especially for congregations that have no youth staff positions, camp is a great place to visit throughout the year for retreats.  In our camps, we have access to high quality programming, appropriate Lutheran theology, and great opportunities for youth to connect with others.

Good Friday Sermon

This sermon was delivered at the beginning of the tenebrae service held at my internship congregation.  John 18.1-19.42 was read, with responses taken from Isaiah 52.13-53.12 and Psalm 22 interspersed. 

Why is this day so important?  Why remember the story of Good Friday?  Yes, it is part of the larger story of passion week.  But we know how passion week ends.  We know of the coming resurrection.  Why tell this bloody, violent, incredibly sad and heart wrenching story? 

And the Crowd Goes Wild

This is a video of a sermon delivered on Palm Sunday at my internship congregation.  The sermon is based on the processional text, Matthew 21.1-11 and the occasion of the day (Palm/Passion Sunday).

Psalm 104

The following are pictures of banners used in worship on Pentecost at my internship congregation.  The banners are a result of a confirmation lesson, the gifts of an artistic congregation member, and the efforts of the quilting group.