Category: Sermons
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St. Michael & All Angels
Today we celebrate Michael, to my knowledge the only non-human named saint. More than Michael, this day has become a day to honor all angels. Who or what are these angels? The word angel in Hebrew and Greek means “Messenger.” In scripture, angels are messengers of God. They bring messages from God. An angel of…
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The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
This past winter I read a wonderful book called How to Know a Person by the New York Times columnist David Brooks. In his book, David Brooks contends that one of the essential elements in getting to know another person is to listen and to listen well. He calls it “loud listening.” Brooks contends that…
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The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
If you’ve seen the musical, Fiddler on the Roof, you are likely familiar with the protagonist in the story, Tevye. Tevye is a Jewish man living with his family in a village of Jewish people inside imperial Russia and he is keen on tradition and keeping tradition. In fact, Tradition is one of many wonderful…
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The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The late congressman John Lewis devoted his life to non-violent resistance. He was among those who walked across the Edmund Petit Bridge in Selma, Alabama on what became known as “Bloody Sunday” when the demonstrators were attacked by state troopers with clubs and tear gas. Lewis and other protestors involved in the Southern Christian Leadership…
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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
When my wife Britt and I moved from Northern California to the Pacific Northwest it felt like a homecoming. Moving back here was a good move for many reasons, not the least of which is that the PNW is our hearts home. Moving to Seattle meant Britt would be closer to her family in Portland…
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Second Sunday after Pentecost
Have you ever noticed that the world seems to always be in a hurry? If you haven’t noticed, try driving on I-5. Sometimes a half a second pause when the light turns from red to green is too much for the driver behind you who begins honking their horn in no time. Sometimes cars will…
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The Installation of Bryon Hansen
The Rev. Julie Hutson Isaiah 52: 7-10 + Romans 12: 9-16b + Luke 1: 39-56 Grace and peace to you from the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear people of God at First Lutheran Church, Pastor Hansen, Britt, Bishop Wee, and all who are here to show their love and support and…
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
One of the most beautiful prayers is the prayer of commendation from the funeral liturgy. It is the last act in the funeral service when we commend our deceased loved one to God’s everlasting care. It is often prayed, too, at the bed side of a Christian in the moments before their death. In the…