September 20, 2015 - 17th Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time).
September 13, 2015 - 16th Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time).
To carry the cross is to be more than a mere ally of God. We are called, all of us, to be God's co-conspirators in the world. And God walks with us through it all.
Link to audio of Pr. Anderson's sermon
June 28, 2015 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time)
St. Paul: "Put your money where your mouth is.
Me: "But do I have to?
Just when you think good intentions are enough, you might be faced with tough choices.
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's sermon
June 21, 2015 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time)
"Jesus, do you not care that we are perishing?" The apostles are not the only people asking this question today.
If people of privilege - white people - do not take responsibility for deconstructing our privilege, then we continue to reinforce racist structures.
June 14, 2015 - Third Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time)
Today we have the "Mustard Seed" gospel. But what do the birds signify? Who are they? And does the answer challenge us?
Link to Pr. Barter's audio sermon
Ship Sunday, June 7, 2015
The child being embraced by Jesus is every refugee, every
asylum seeker, every homeless or hungry person, every political prisoner, every
woman, girl, or teenage boy being trafficked as a sex worker, every Palestinian
behind the wall, everyone whom we allow ourselves to dehumanize or ignore.
That’s who that child is. The child is
Jesus’ desperate attempt to teach the clueless what it means to be a servant
leader.
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's sermon
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September 13, 2015 - 16th Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time).
Link to audio of Pr. Anderson's sermon
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June 28, 2015 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time)
St. Paul: "Put your money where your mouth is.
Me: "But do I have to?
Just when you think good intentions are enough, you might be faced with tough choices.
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's sermon
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June 21, 2015 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time)
"Jesus, do you not care that we are perishing?" The apostles are not the only people asking this question today.If people of privilege - white people - do not take responsibility for deconstructing our privilege, then we continue to reinforce racist structures.
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June 14, 2015 - Third Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time)
Today we have the "Mustard Seed" gospel. But what do the birds signify? Who are they? And does the answer challenge us?
Link to Pr. Barter's audio sermon
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Ship Sunday, June 7, 2015
This Sunday we celebrated our annual "Ship" Sunday at St. Ansgar. Our guest speaker was Mary Cerullo from Friends of Casco Bay, an environmental group working hard to preserve the waters from which so much life springs.
Our "guest" preacher was the Rev. Tom Chittick, retired ELCA pastor, and a member of St. Ansgar. He gave a most excellent sermon about the history of Ship Sunday and God's waystations on the journey of life.
Lastly, Pr. Maria and Pr. Bill had a lot of fun with the children's sermon, so it is included in the Ship Sunday playlist for your enjoyment.
Our "guest" preacher was the Rev. Tom Chittick, retired ELCA pastor, and a member of St. Ansgar. He gave a most excellent sermon about the history of Ship Sunday and God's waystations on the journey of life.
Lastly, Pr. Maria and Pr. Bill had a lot of fun with the children's sermon, so it is included in the Ship Sunday playlist for your enjoyment.
Here is the sermon link: Link to Ship Sunday playlist
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Feast of the Holy Trinity, May 31, 2015
Let's stop worrying about what it means to have a correct understanding of the Holy Trinity, and share God's love in the world by building some relationships.
Let's march across that stage with no star on our wand, and JUST DO IT!
Link to audio of Pr. Anderson's sermon
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Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2015
We are in the world but not of the world. So, if what we say and do doesn't get some people really upset, then what the heck is the point? (Dr. Barter praises the Jehovah's Witnesses?)
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Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 10, 2015
Quiz: When Jesus says, "Love one another", who is the "one another?" Is it people like us? Or is the "one another" a reference to God's human family?
How we answer that question impacts the decisions we make.
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Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2015
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Fourth Sunday of Easter April 26, 2015
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's Sermon
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Third Sunday of Easter April 19, 2015
This weekend Pr. Bill was out of town on vacation and there were a few details that slipped Pr. Maria's mind. (She's new at this, so there's lots of grace here for her!) That being said, the recording device for our sermons got plugged in, but the record button never got pushed.
On this third Sunday in Easter Jesus appears to the disciples and has to show and tell them in a variety of ways that he is really the resurrected Christ. We still struggle with seeing the resurrected Christ in our midst today and are encouraged to proclaim the Gospel wherever we go. We can never hear those words enough.
You can find a PDF version of the written sermon here:
Link to PDF of Sermon
Second Sunday of Easter April 12, 2015
This weekend we hosted a conference on eco-feminism with Rosemary Radford Ruether. We wrapped up the weekend program with Sunday worship, and Dr. Radford Ruether was our guest homilist.
Scripture lesson read by Nicky Chittick.
Here is the audio sermon entitled: Divine Wisdom and Christian Fear.: https://soundcloud.com/st-ansgar-lutheran-church/radford-ruether-sermon-04122015
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The Triduum (Three Days) at St. Ansgar, 2015
Here is the link to our Sound Cloud playlist for the three sermons/homilies for Maundy (Holy) Thursday; Good Friday; and The Solemn Easter Vigil at St. Luke's Cathedral. Blessed Easter season!____________________________________
March 22, 2015 - Lent 5
It's hard to let go of control, but losing control at the foot of the cross leads us to see God's Love. What do we need to leave at the cross, so that the world may see Jesus more fully?
Link to Pr. Anderson's audio sermon
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March 15, 2015 - Lent 4
John 3:16 is often misused to exclude people who are different from us. What does it mean? What can we do about that?
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's sermon
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March 8, 2015 - Lent 3
"What does coffee and donuts
have to do with God?" Simon Birch
Who we are, and to whom we belong as we celebrate God's liberating love in our
everyday lives.
Link to Audio of Pr. Anderson's sermon
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March 1, 2015 - Lent 2
Abraham and Sarah. Name changes, covenants, and the naming of God's children in baptism. And what about all that talk about the cross?
Link to Pr. Barter's audio sermon
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February 22, 2015 - Lent 1
 |
| (From "Where the Wild Things Are" copyright 2009, Warner Brothers) |
Jesus encounters the beasts in the desert. What wild things do we find within? In Lent, how do we find our way from fearing our wild things to having ourselves a wild rumpus?
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February 18, 2015 - Ash Wednesday
Thanks to Nicky Chittick for her excellent proclamation of the Word.
Link to audio homily
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February 15, 2015 - Transfiguration
On this feast of the Transfiguration, we canceled worship because of dire weather predictions. Although it is not all that bad in the the Greater Portland area, we still have high winds and some whiteout conditions. Please be safe.
I hope to see you on Ash Wednesday at 12:00 noon for "ashes to go" or at 7:00 p.m. for an Ash Wednesday service.
As promised, here is a video version of today's sermon on the Transfiguration and how we might veil the light of Christ. Be well, and thank God if you are not shoveling today!
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February 8, 2015 - Are you on the bus or in the neighborhood?
Spreading the Gospel means getting off the familiar bus route and thinking beyond, and in addition to, the traditional Sunday morning structure of Church. Sunday worship is a good place to recharge and support one another, But we must show and tell and live God's radical grace outside of Sunday morning, in the places we might not think about.
Audio Link to Pr. Anderson's Sermon
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February 1, 2015 - On Prophets
 |
| Presentation in the Temple by de Vos |
Moses promises that prophets will follow after him. And this week, as we celebrate the presentation of Jesus in the temple, we hear the prophetic witness of Simeon and Anna. As prophets, we are expected to call out Jesus and to be witnesses to him in the world.
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's Sermon
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January 25, 2015 - "Get on Board"
The two bible stories of the calling of the fishermen and Jonah teach us that there is more than one way to get on board with God's mission in the world.
Link to audio of Pr. Anserson's sermon
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January 18, 2015 - "Come and See!"
Link to Sermon Audio file
Link to PDF text of the sermon
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Baptism of the Lord - January 11, 2015
We can argue and guess with each other about how baptism works or doesn’t work, but ultimately God is the one who tears apart the heavens to claim us. It is God’s voice, the same voice that spoke the earth into being, that speaks our belovedness at our baptism. It is not our work, because if it were up to us, we’d be in trouble.Link to Pr. Anderson's Sermon Podcast
Link to PDF text of sermon
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Feast of Epiphany 2014 - Light in the Unexpected Places
 |
| From "My Cousin Vinny" (1992) |
Link to audio of Pr. Barter's sermon
Link to Miss Vito's testimony (an option for after the sermon)
Christmas 2014 - We found love in a hopeless place
God wanted to tangibly experience human life - all aspects of it - so that we might know God's presence and God's love in all that we experience.
Passage from Isaiah proclaimed by Confirmation student Aidan Gallagher.
Link to Audio of Pr. Anderson's sermon
Link to download PDF text of sermon
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December 14, 2014 - Advent Three
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| Image from Memphis Church of God in Christ |
Link to audio of Pr. Anderson's sermon
Link to PDF text of sermon
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November 30, 2014 - Advent One
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| Picture availabe at http://chosenrebel.me/tag/lament/ |
God’s people are in big
trouble. And where is God? Who knows? But for Isaiah, God has definitely left
the stage. Isaiah 64 is part of what is known as a lament. And it’s a good passage with which to
start the Advent season.
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November 23, 2014
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| Portland Maine Skyline at night from across Back Cove - Picture found at enacademic.com |
Then at 3:00 p.m. we celebrated the installation of Rev. Maria Anderson as associate pastor and mission developer in the City of Portland. This is a collaboration between St. Ansgar, the New England ELCA Synod, the national ELCA mission office, and the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. Bishop Jim Hazelwood of the New England Synod gave the sermon. (It appears that Bishop Hazelwood's wireless mic was muted during the sermon, but the ambient pickup from other microphones in the room gave us a usable recording. You might have to turn it up.) The text preached on was Luke 10:1-11. Link to Bishop Hazelwood's sermon
November 9, 2014
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| Image Copyright "Living Green Magazine" |
STAY AWAKE!
The challenge to us, knowing the Gospel truth, is that we must keep each other awake. We must not let each other become apathetic or sleepy to the realities of injustice towards God’s beloved around us. Perhaps that’s why we’re actually in this together. We need each other. And when one person struggles, we all struggle.
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November 2, 2014 - All Saints Sunday
Today, Jesus is calling his disciples, including each one of us, to walk a very different road. He is
calling us to walk the road that is the way of his will for our lives. And, that road looks very different from the road we hear about day in and day out in our culture.
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October 26, 2014 - Reformation Sunday
 |
| Logo from the movie "Airplane" (1980) Copyright: Paramount Pictures |
On this reformation day, let's talk about turbulence. In fact, let's pray for turbulence. Reformation is dynamic - it is never finished - and it is filled with grace.
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October 19, 2014
Ebola, white privilege, and giving to the emperor. And how giving back to God what is God's can transform the world.
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October 5, 2014
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| Cornerstone, St. Ansgar Lutheran in Portland, Maine |
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. Is the church under siege? Can the church survive and be healthy?
Well, not unless Jesus Christ is the cornerstone!
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September 28, 2014
On rules, authority, and power (and oh yes, God's immeasurable grace...)
This is the story that we share because it is far too good to keep to ourselves. The story of a God who doesn't require authority nor wait for our authority to offer grace. God has already done so by entering into our human experience as Christ and through the cross. And God that continues to offer that grace again, and again, and again.
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September 21, 2014
 |
| Parable of the Vineyard Owner (Middle Ages, unknown artist) |
Now, if we are honest with ourselves, the landowner’s actions in Matthew 20:1-16 seem
unfair. Jesus’ story seems to suggest that when it comes to life in the kingdom of God, there is an element of what we would consider unfairness. His words to us today are unsettling and they shatter our perceptions of fairness. His words cut right through the ordered world we try to create.
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September 14, 2014
To forgive does not mean that we haven’t been hurt. And forgiving someone doesn't mean that there
shouldn't be consequences or accountability for those who hurt us.
Forgiveness doesn't mean that the relationship can be as intimate as it once was. But forgiveness does mean that our being hurt should not stop us from being Christian. In fact, being hurt is an opportunity to strengthen our resolve to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Forgiveness doesn't mean that the relationship can be as intimate as it once was. But forgiveness does mean that our being hurt should not stop us from being Christian. In fact, being hurt is an opportunity to strengthen our resolve to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
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September 7, 2014
It is the height of arrogance to think we control the discussion about forgiveness and do-overs. We don't get to write that script.
It's about the cross.
Thanks be to God!
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August 31, 2014
 |
| Pastoral Renewal Magazine, no. 9, 1987 |
Talk about the cross is difficult for Peter and the disciples to hear. And if we are honest, the prospect of carrying the cross of Jesus is fearful for us as well. As a church that is falling out of power in our society, how do we redefine ourselves in the shape of the cross?
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August 24, 2014
Who is Jesus?
When a teenager can be executed for jaywalking, human
life is dispensible - in America, in Gaza, in Iraq - you
name it - 30,000 feet above Ukraine –
life is so dispensable.
You had better believe that the church should get
counter-cultural really soon.
When the poor are blamed for being poor and the
hungry for being hungry, we had better be asking, “Who is Jesus?”
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August 17, 2014
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| Christ and the Canaanite Woman by Pieter Pietersz. |
Throughout history there
have been many times when the church has used tradition in perverse
ways. In light of Jesus’ words to us today, we should ask ourselves, what
practices do we hold dear?
What really doesn't matter? What traditions do
we deem so vitally important they end up excluding others?
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August 10, 2014
The sea is turbulent. Do we stay in the boat and do things like we've always done them, hoping the turbulence will go away? Or do we get out of the boat and try to walk on water, even when we are afraid?
We take a lesson from Peter.
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August 3, 2014
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| "Fishes and Loaves" by Chelle Fazal Available at: http://fineartamerica.com |
What is important about the story of the multiplication of loaves and fish?
It is seen in all four Gospels
It happens in the desert
It hinges on the compassion of Jesus
Arguably, Jesus does not feed 5,000
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July 27, 2014
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| Russian Icon of Solomon |
Solomon, the wise and imperfect. This is an extended look at Solomon. And what does Solomon's reign tell us about oppressor and oppressed? Are there lessons for Middle East politics? How do good and evil live together?
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July 20, 2014
This is something Jesus clearly acknowledges in today’s gospel reading: The good and the bad are all tangled up together. Today, Jesus is telling yet one more story as he tries to describe the kingdom of heaven.
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July 13, 2014
Today's parable about a reckless farmer tossing seed into questionable places is not about us. It is about the grace of God, who sows seeds of forgiveness and love freely and abundantly, with apparent disregard for the quality of the soil. That is grace.
Thanks be to God!
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July 6, 2014
In today's gospel, Jesus turns away from the gathered crowd and offers a prayer that is rather jarring to our success oriented, power and control focused, wisdom seeking, intellect pursuing psyche. And, we discover that in God’s realm, all those things that attract our attention, those things that drive our behavior and become the attributes we consider important are barely noticed. In fact, they are dismissed.
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June 29, 2014 - Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
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| The "Follower" at St. Ansgar |
Today is "Ship Sunday" at St. Ansgar, a day on which we celebrate maritime heritage and the anniversary of hanging our ship, the "Follower" in the nave of our church. It is fitting that on this day we celebrate Saints Peter and Paul.
Our guest speaker at fellowship time today was Peter Kelley, a longtime fisherman from Portland. In honor of his visit and the theme of the day, the sermon focuses on St. Peter as a fisherman who was called to go "fishing for people."
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June 22, 2014 - Second Sunday after Pentecost (Ordinary Time)
Today's readings call us out of our comfort zone to be witnesses to the teacher. We are not alone in this - we are more valuable than a bunch of sparrows!
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Holy Trinity, June 15, 2014
Today is the Feast of the Holy Trinity. It is about relationship. In this sermon, we combined the sermon with three musical interludes of violin and piano. Thanks to Dr. Joan Tryzelaar and Pr. Ellen Schoepf for their amazing musical gifts.
In Trinitarian fashion, the sermon is split into three parts, with three movements from Vivaldi's Four Seasons suite of concertos.
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Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2014
What a wonderful way to celebrate Pentecost!
Pr. Schoepf and Pr. Barter joined Pr. Peter Boehringer at Gethsemane Manchester, NH for a celebration of his 30 years of ordination
Pr. Barter had the privilege of preaching.
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Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 1, 2014
Why are you looking up in the sky? With Ascension, the emphasis shifts from "Kingdom" to the person of Jesus. Who is Jesus? And what do we about this ascended savior?
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Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 25, 2014
Who worships at the altar of the unknown God? What St. Paul, Flannery O'Connor, and Psychological research might suggest.
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Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2014
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."
And to follow Jesus is to have life abundantly, even in the inevitable face of death.
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Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2014 - Mother's Day
When Mothers' Day coincides with a difficult reading from 1 Peter? Despite the temptation to "phone in" a warm and fuzzy, we need to dig deeper to confront the oppression that has sometimes been reinforced by the misuse of Scripture.
What to give the woman who has everything? Become a feminist!
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Funeral Service - Carol Henigan
This Monday, the 5th of May, we commemorated our dear sister in Christ, Carol Henigan. Link to the audio funeral service
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Third Sunday of Easter - May 4, 2014
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| Road to Emmaus by England |
Link to Pr. Barter's sermon for May 4, 2014
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Second Sunday of Easter - April 27, 2014
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| Painting: "Still Doubting" by John Granville Gregory |
"Doubt is a question mark. Faith is an exclamation point. The most compelling, believable, realistic stories have included them both" (Criss Jami)
Thomas yearns for a real encounter with the risen Christ. What about you?
Link to Pr. Schoepf's Sermon for Easter 2
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Easter Sunday - April 20, 2014
Link to Pr. Barter's Easter sermon
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Good Friday - April 18, 2014
Link to Pr. Bill Barter's Good Friday Sermon
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Maundy Thursday - April 17, 2014
(John 13:14-15)
Link to Pr. Ellen Schoepf's Maundy Thursday sermon
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Fifth Sunday of Lent - April 6, 2014
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| The Raising of Lazarus by Duccio |
"I am the resurrection and the life." These words of Jesus take us beyond being the walking-dead. What are the implications for resurrection in the lives of today's Christians? Where are the challenges and opportunities?
Link to today's sermon
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Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 30, 2014
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| Photo Property of Hulu.com |
Link to the sermon for Lent Four
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Third Sunday of Lent - March 23, 2014
On this third Sunday of Lent, Pr. Ellen Schoepf preaches on the encounter with Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.
Click here for the sermon link
Second Sunday of Lent - March 16, 2014
Abram and Sarai find themselves at a crossroads. God is at a crossroads with the people God created. As Abram and Sarai embark on this new relationship with God to become the parents of many in a new covenant with God, what does it mean to us? Are we at a crossroads as a church? As a people? And if we turn left or right, north or south, do we trust that what should happen will happen?Click here for the sermon podcast link
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First Sunday of Lent - March 9, 2014
Link to today's sermon
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse?" Pr. Ellen talks about the nature of hyperbole. She then shares her thoughts about Jesus' use of hyperbole in the Ash Wednesday gospel. By making traditional pious practices look silly, Jesus brings us to a place of true reflection and devotion. And there is no better way to start lent!
Link to Pr. Ellen's Ash Wednesday Sermon
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A sermon for Transfiguration Sunday
God is "up in here", dwelling in Christ and in us. How does transfiguration prepare us for the season of Lent and the road to Jerusalem?
Today's sermon podcast link
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Relief of Pain - Prescriptions from the Sermon on the Mount
Sometimes the pain gets so bad that a surgical intervention is needed. But what about the after-care? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers us the prescription for remaining well and pain-free. Jesus does not condemn or indict, but he does show us the path to our own wellness and the wellness of others. The choice is ours. _________________________________________________________________________
Choose Life!
This Sunday, places of worship were asked to preach on Climate Change. Using the readings appointed for the sixth Sunday of Epiphany (ordinary time), Pastor Ellen Schoepf, our Associate Pastor, led us through a series of reflections on the readings as they pertain to our care of the planet. The voice of our reader is that of Norm Rowley, a lay member of our congregation.
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Isaiah, meet...Petula Clark?
Link to today's sermon
Things aren't always great anymore when you're "Downtown". In Isaiah chapter 58, God instructs the prophet to challenge those who have become comfortable with fasting, worship, and sackcloth as an end in themselves, rather than a commitment to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and lift up the afflicted. What difference does our worship make if we are not ready to "restore the streets" with good news? Can we do this? How else could we possibly shine?
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Sermon for the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas) Sunday. For this Sunday, we actually used the gospel for the fourth Sunday after Epiphany, the "Beatitudes" gospel from Matthew.
Click here for the sermon link
Jesus has called us, and wherever we stand with Jesus, there is holy ground!Link to Pr. Ellen's sermon for January 26th
Sermon for January 19, 2014 – “What’s in a name?”
(Written by Pr. Bill Barter and read at worship by Pr. Ellen Schoepf on Sunday, January 19th.)
“The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward
him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world!”
“And again, the next day John again was standing with
two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed,
"Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say
this, and they followed Jesus.”
In John’s Gospel, the Baptist refers to Jesus as “Lamb
of God”. But what’s in a name, really?
This past week, the world of film and TV entertainment
lost an actor, Russell Johnson, who died at age 89 of kidney failure. In researching his life and death, I poked
around at a few of my news and entertainment sources.
On Tmz.com, the headline reads: “Russell Johnson,
Professor From Gilligan's Island Dead at 89”
On the CNN website, and in their newscasts, we saw: 'Gilligan's Island' Professor, actor Russell Johnson, dead at 89
In the New York Times, we read: “Russell Johnson, the
Professor on ‘Gilligan’s Island,’ Dies at 89”
And on CBS: “Russell Johnson, "Gilligan"
professor, has died”
In fact, I browsed through 15 news sources until I
found what I was looking for, the real reason we should honor Russell Johnson.
One obscure news article stated what I had heard a number of years ago.
In 1994, Johnson’s son David, an AIDS activist,
succumbed to the disease. Prior to his death, Dave Johnson had lovingly cared
for a life partner who had died of AIDS four years before. When told by Dave
that his partner was critically ill, Russell Johnson all but abandoned his
acting career. He joined with his son Dave in taking care of the ailing
partner. From the moment Dave himself died of AIDS in 1994, Russell Johnson
volunteered 40 to 60 hours per week as a fundraiser for AIDS research and care.
He never drew a salary for his work, and he raised countless millions of
dollars to fund initiatives that are still saving lines today. He was actively involved in AIDS activism
until about two weeks before his death this past week.
And oh yes, Russell Johnson was a decorated World War
II veteran whose B-52 was shot down over the Philippines. He received a purple
heart for the injuries that he sustained in the crash, and that caused him chronic
pain for the rest of his life.
It would appear that in real life, Russell Johnson was
able to transcend a “Three Hour Tour” and shipwreck on the SS Minnow to live a
life of sacrifice and care. But we will always know him as the professor.
Johnson once joked to an audience that he always found it ironic that he could
produce electricity from coconuts, power a record player for a talent show with
a bicycle made from bamboo, and cure tropical diseases, but he just couldn’t
seem to figure out how to fix a hole in a boat.
What’s in a name, really?
There are many names for Jesus, and those names may
conjure up many images for us. Bread of life... Son of Man…
Messiah... The Good Shepherd. But what about the Lamb of God? What does that
really mean?
Of the four gospels, John is the only writer to use
this term. Contrary to what some may think, this reference to Jesus as a lamb
is not a reference to a mere scapegoat, slaughtered for the sins of the many in
the Hebrew Scriptures. It is much more complex than that. Rather, Jesus is the
lamb of Passover. The Pascal lamb. This Lamb of God is the very agent of God,
sent to do God’s will without failing. This
is the sinless lamb, come to give his life for the sins of the many.
John Calvin reminds us that in his trial before
Pilate and while at Herod's Court Jesus
could have argued for his innocence, but instead remained mostly quiet and
submitted to Crucifixion in
obedience to the Father, for he knew his role as the Lamb of God. This was the
lamb going to the slaughter.
Jesus did for us what we could never have done for
ourselves: he took our place; he became our substitute; he became our sacrifice
and his death satisfied the holy justice of God. For this reason he is called
"the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Now here is another amazing thing about today’s Gospel
story. When John calls Jesus the Lamb of God, he is calling him out. In so
doing, John actually predicted the death of Jesus. How do we know this?
The Passover lamb is always slain. People would have
been familiar enough with the scriptures to remember the bible saying that
without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. If Jesus was
going to deal with sin; if Jesus was going to make a way for the forgiveness of
sins, he would have to die. So what was the response of the two disciples? John
tells us, “The two disciples heard him say this,
and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them
I cannot honestly say that I would
follow someone who had just been identified as a victim who would die. First of
all, it is not my idea of a good time. And it is certainly not my definition of
success. But these two disciples follow Jesus, and in fact, one of them fetches
his brother Simon who then becomes St. Peter. Were these guys really that
lame-headed? Or were they looking for something more than the empty promises of
a religion that had gone cold and a world that had succumbed to endless
darkness and sin? Did they have some inner desire to follow someone who might actually
be willing to die for them?
Beyond automatically singing the Lamb of
God before Holy Communion, do we recognize the Lamb of God when we see him? Is
he in the face of the person next to you? Can you see the face of a sacrificial
lamb in the lives of those who suffer because of the world’s sinfulness? And
how willing are we to resist protesting our own
innocence, so that we can get down to the work of being God’s agents in the
world? After all, Jesus also tells us that we are sent “as lambs among wolves”,
right?
What name do you have for Jesus today?
And what does that name mean?
Sadly, if Russell Johnson’s obituary was
entitled, “Russell Johnson, AIDS activist, dies at age 89”, how many of us
would have taken the time to read it? How many of us would even know who that
person was? He will forever be known as the professor, a reality he made peace
with many years ago.
Truthfully, if someone was pointed out
to you as a sacrificial lamb, would you follow him? Would you even know who he
was? After all, what kind of name is that? And yet, because of God’s endless
love, the lamb that we may not even recognize died for our sins and sits at the
Creator’s right hand on our behalf. He does so much good on our behalf, even
when we don’t recognize him. And that is true grace.
Here is a poem by an author simply known
as “Shakhei”
Behold the Lamb of God: Him hanging on the tree.
Behold His blood-drops on the ground.
Behold the Lamb of God; He died to set me free,
For I was lost and now am found.
Behold His blood-drops on the ground.
Behold the Lamb of God; He died to set me free,
For I was lost and now am found.
Behold the lamb of God; He's hidden in a grave.
Behold the women weeping sore.
Behold the Lamb of God; He died for me to save.
Hark! He's alive forevermore!
Behold the women weeping sore.
Behold the Lamb of God; He died for me to save.
Hark! He's alive forevermore!
Behold the Lamb of God! He's sitting on His throne.
And all the angels crowd around.
"Oh, worthy is the Lamb!" say they in Heav'nly tone.
All Christians will soon hear this sound.
And all the angels crowd around.
"Oh, worthy is the Lamb!" say they in Heav'nly tone.
All Christians will soon hear this sound.
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
For this reason let us esteem our Baptism as a daily dress in which
we are to walk constantly, that we may ever be found in the faith and its
fruits, that we suppress the old person and grow up in the new. For if we would
be Christians, we must practice the work whereby we are Christians.
But if any
one fall away from it, let them again come into it. For just as Christ, the
Mercy-seat does not recede from us or forbid us to come to Him again, even
though we sin, so all His treasure and gifts also remain. If, therefore we have
once in Baptism obtained forgiveness of sin, it will remain every day, as long
as we live. (Martin Luther, Large Catechism)
Epiphany 2014
Can you see the stars? What about the light of Christ? When is it hard to see stars? This Sunday, we had our postponed Nativity Pageant. Today's sermon was a brief homily for the feast of Epiphany.
Here is the Link :Link to Pr. Barter's Epiphany homily
Really? Does anyone celebrate Christmas because they are worry-free?
And what about the first Christmas, a baby Jesus lying in a barn surrounded by smelly sheep and smelly shepherds?
Why do we need Christmas? Here's the link to the Christmas sermon. Pr. Barter's Christmas Sermon Link
Has your life ever felt messy? To say that Joseph's life got messy is probably an understatement.
Life is messy. For all of us.In the fine "Law and Gospel" preaching tradition at St. Ansgar, Pr. Ellen Schoepf's sermon on Matthew's Gospel reminds us of messiness...and the hope we find in the coming of Jesus Christ.
Because quite a few people missed today's service due to icy roads, the entire three lessons are included in this podcast. Bill Birthisel, Congregation President, is our lector today.
Link to Pr. Schoepf's sermon
Prepare the Lord's way! John the Baptist's message on accountability. Did your dog eat your homework?Link to Pr. Barter's Sermon on Advent 2
Past, Present, and Future, we are God's people. What does it mean for the church to live today, knowing where we have been and where we are yet to go? In Matthew's Gospel today, Jesus helps us figure that out. Happy First Sunday of Advent!
I hit God's car again: Reflections on Stewardship for Christ the King Sunday.
Link: Pr. Barter Sermon 11242013
When not a stone is left on a stone, it is the Lord who will give us words, strength, and life.
Eric Pike's Stewardship HomilyIs it more important to be in church or to BE the church? Eric shares some of his personal experience with the folks at St. Ansgar at a Sunday morning homily. As part of a three -week series on stewardship, he then challenges us to look at stewardship as a way of being church.
(Spoiler alert: This is Eric's first time in the pulpit! He did a great job.)
Here's the link: Eric Pike Stewardship Homily
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Bishop Jim Hazelwood's Sermon
Jacob wrestles, and the vulnerable cry out for justice.
Bishop Jim Hazelwood visited St. Ansgar this morning.
Here is the link to his sermon: Bp. Hazelwood Sermon 10202013
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Pr. Ellen's Sermon at Church
10-13-2013
Here is the Link: Pr. Ellen Sermon 10-13-2013
Pr. Bill's Sermon at Calumet
10-13-2013
Here is the link: Calumet Sermon 10-13-2013
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Does it really matter how MUCH faith we have, or is a little as good as a lot? Unlike other mustard seed images, the seed in Sunday's Gospel doesn't do anything - it's just small.
And what about those slave images? We Jesus does not own us for His own pleasure - we belong to Jesus for our salvation. Big difference, eh?
The sermon is a hybrid of the monthly extended children's sermon and the adult homily that follows. (You lose a bit of the children's message by not having the visual.) Also, note that Robert speaks to us through his ASL interpreter when addressed during the children's sermon.
Here is the podcast: Barter Sermon 10062013
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Sermon on September 29, 2013
The story of the rich man and Lazarus is tough! Jesus just seems to go "crazy" on hellfire and damnation. Is that any way to motivate Christians to take care of the poor? And what about the Lutheran belief that we are simultaneously sinner and saint? What's up with that?
And Baby, how does Vegas fit in with that?
In addition to the sermon, I left in the wonderful jazzy version of "A Mighty Fortress" that Ellen played before worship.
Here's the jazzy music and the sermon: Sermon for Sept 29, 2013
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Sermon on September 1, 2013
We believe that St. Luke was himself a child of privilege. That is perhaps why his narratives about Jesus' teaching are more detailed with regard to leaving privilege behind in the service of God and others.
We continue to be challenged by the call to reach out, to invite, to include, and to do so in total humility brought about by God's immeasurable love and grace.
Here is the link:
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Sermon on August 25, 2013
Jesus heals us with amazing love. As a people whose sins are forgiven, we are challenged to live into today, to leave behind the hurts, worries and losses of the past to be in the moment with God and God's people.
Let us live in that love.
Here is the link to Pastor Ellen's Sermon:
Pr. Ellen Schoepf's Sermon 08/25/2013
