A sermon preached on the first Sunday of Advent. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on November 29, 2015. 

Luke 21:25-36 (NRSV)

[Jesus said:] 25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
  29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
  34“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Wake Up People of God!

Quotes from the sermon:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German, Lutheran Pastor, writing from Nazi prison in 1943:
“Life in a prison cell reminds me a great deal of Advent - one waits, and hopes, and potters about, but in the end what we do is of little consequence, for the door is shut and can only by opened from the outside (Kellermann, 137).”

Alfred Delp, a German, Jesuit Priest and Nazi prison, wrote a series of Advent meditations:
“Advent is a time for rousing. Human beings are shaken to the very depths, so that they may wake up to the truth of themselves. The primary condition for a fruitful and rewarding Advent is renunciation, surrender… A shattering awakening, that is the necessary preliminary. Life only begins when the whole framework is shaken (Kellermann, 137).”

Quotations cited by Wylie-Kellermann, Bill, Seasons of Faith and Conscience: Explorations of Liturgical Direct Action, Wipf and Stock, 2008

A sermon preached on the 25th Sunday after Pentecost. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on November 15, 2015. 

Mark 13:1-8

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
  3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”

A sermon preached on the 24th Sunday after Pentecost. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on November 8, 2015. 

Mark 12:38-44

As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes,
who like to walk around in long robes,
and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,  
39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues
and places of honor at banquets!  
40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.
They will receive the greater condemnation.”

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.  
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  
43 Then he called his disciples and said to them,
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  
44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole life.”

A sermon preached on Reformation Sunday. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on October 25, 2015.