Pastor Todd's blog

Listen to the Sermon "The Day of Resurrection" - (Right click to download)

John 20:1-18

"The Resurrection": Matthias Grünewald, Isenheim Altarpiece, c. 1510 - 1515. Musée D'Unterlinden, Colmar, France.The Isenheim Altarpiece is one of the most famous Medieval pieces of art in Europe.  It was originally created for a chapel in a ward for those dying of a deadly skin disease that now would is completely treatable.  The piece grabs me because of the incredible coloring, the power of the Christ figure.  As mentioned in the above link, the Altarpiece is multi-paneled. read more »

Listen to the Sermon "Blessed is the One who Comes in the Name of the Lord" - (Right click to download)

Mark 11:1-11

Entry to Jerusalem

Only Mark, in his gospel account, has Jesus entering by a city gate into Jerusalem.  This whole scene that is offered in the Gospel is fascinating in its brevity, detail and comment on what a follower of Jesus ought to expect to do with one’s life.

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Listen to the Sermon "Where I am, there my Servant will be also" - (Right click to download)

John 12:20-33

This passage from John offers us two things:  not only does it suggest a foretelling of Jesus death and resurrection, but also it offers us a window to our own lives.

Death is all around us

I have been reflecting a lot lately about three things that are connected: my general health, my past decision making and death. In the past few weeks I have been working out. I have discovered that years of bodily neglect have taken their toll. I have muscles that are protesting because of lack of use and now I have called them to service. I am reminded that I am getting older. Science Magazine reminds us that 100,000 cells die in us every second. That is sobering thought, and represents a lot of change.   read more »

Listen to the Sermon "The Son of Man Is Lifted Up" - (Right click to download)

John 3:14-21

We Love John 3:16

Perhaps you learned this verse in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School. Martin Luther called it the Gospel in Miniature. I have had a relationship with this text for a long time. For I, too, learned it as a kid, but later grasped hold of it as “Minimum Coverage”, you know like the Safe Auto Commercial? If you just believe in Jesus, you are saved and that is good and well, I thought, not thinking that maybe more was required, or that I needed to do more in the kingdom. read more »

Listen to the Sermon "The Inescapable Grace Giving God" - (Right click to download)

Psalm 139

This sermon is about how the grace of God has been at work in my life from the very beginning until today.  There are several places along the way for you to think about your life.

For the blog this week, I just want you to be able to look back on your life and see the string of God’s grace that has been at work in you.  Be sure to listen to the recording and take a look at the sermon outline.

Here are some questions for you to ponder:

• Where did God’s Grace begin with you?
• —Where have you stopped along the way blocking God?
• —Looking back -  Where has God’s Grace led you and why?
• —In what ways are you letting God knit you together into something new this Lenten Season?

The Inescapable Grace Giving God Sermon Outline

Listen to the Sermon "Chosen by Jesus" - (Right click to download)

Mark 1:40-45

Setting the Scene

Last week, I introduced the Bug Model as a way for us to see that balance is needed in our life. Jesus achieved this balance and in the Gospel will continue to demonstrate it with his life. It is worthwhile for us to bring back as he does from time to time so that we can check in to make sure it is … “well with our Soul.”

Jesus, filled with the spirit, moves on out to the little villages of the Galilee. While on his journey, he runs into a man with leprosy and a curious exchange develops. The man cries out “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus responds first by touching the man, a no-no in ancient culture and then offers the words, “I am. Be clean.” read more »

Listen to the Sermon "Everyone is Searching!" - (Right click to download)

Mark 1: 29-39

Setting the Scene

In this text we see some interesting developments. First Simon’s mother-in-law has fallen ill and is residing at Simon’s house, which will become the headquarters of the Galilean Ministry. Jesus is alerted about this and, in an amazing act, heals Simon’s mother of the fever that has put her in bed. She rises and serves them. The less generous among us might suggest that she was healed because Jesus and the four disciples he called along the seashore are hungry, but for safety sake let me suggest that she was grateful. read more »