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Episodes
Monday Oct 16, 2017
Monday Oct 16, 2017
Ooof. This is not a text we hear in Sunday school. Who would turn down an invitation to dine with the King? And who would wear sweatpants to a wedding feast? In fact, both of the texts today feel like a call to worthiness. And that’s hard to hear. But what if we’re missing something? Is it really so dire?
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
Song: "Psalm 126 (come home with jubilation)" by Nate Bergengren; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Monday Oct 09, 2017
Monday Oct 09, 2017
Father Richard Rohr wrote that “religion either produces the very best people or the very worst.” In this passage, Paul continues arguing against the outward trappings of the religious system that he had devoted his life to, in favor of “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” This deserves a closer look!
Scripture: Philippians 3:4b-14
Song: "Lead Me To The Cross" written by Brooke Ligertwood; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Tuesday Oct 03, 2017
Tuesday Oct 03, 2017
Today’s Gospel begins a series of challenges to the authority of Jesus by those holding positions of power. What is it about this Jesus guy that is so threatening? What does it mean that Jesus is occupying the temple in these stories and what does it have to do with us and the places we occupy?
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32
Song: "From The Inside Out" written by Joel Houston; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Monday Sep 25, 2017
Monday Sep 25, 2017
Let’s be honest, sometimes the bible bugs us. Why should the lifetime criminal have a place in heaven right next to the lifetime active church member just because of some jailhouse conversion? Today we contend with the annoying reality that God occasionally does things without our permission!
Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11; Matthew 20:1-16
Song: "One Thing Remains" by B. Johnson, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
VIDEO: Grace and Fear
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Monday Sep 18, 2017
The Gospel today reminds us just how similar we are to the disciples, when they ask Jesus just how often they are supposed to forgive someone. 7 times? Then can we stop? Jesus lays down quite the stunning answer to this question, one that we hate and love all at the same time.
Scripture: Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35
Song: "Mighty To Save" written by B. Fielding & R. Morgan; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Monday Sep 11, 2017
Monday Sep 11, 2017
As we celebrate rally day and the kick off to our next season of ministry and outreach, we pause to consider what the church is really all about. Is this community of faith a tired remnant of generations past or are we being called together for just such a time as this?
Scripture: Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
Song: "Be The Church" written by Stefan Van Voorst; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Wednesday Sep 06, 2017
Wednesday Sep 06, 2017
Our Gospel today tells us that we are called to carry the cross. If you think about the cross that Jesus carried - it’s a pretty big one. What does it mean for us to have to pick up that cross and follow Jesus? Is it as difficult as it may seem, or is there an easier way?
Scripture: Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
Song: "We Are Called (let us not forget)" written by Nate Bergengren; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Monday Aug 28, 2017
Monday Aug 28, 2017
There are a lot of announcements and pronouncements made in today’s Gospel. Peter announces that Jesus is the Son of God, and Jesus gives him the keys to the Kingdom. So strange. What does it mean that Peter says what he says and why does Jesus respond the way he does? And what does it have to do with us?
Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-6; Matthew 16:13-20
Song: "The Solid Rock" re-done hymn by the Prince of Peace worship band
Friday Aug 25, 2017
Friday Aug 25, 2017
This one is a doozy! A traditional understanding of this story says that Peter stepped out of the boat in confidence, looked at Jesus and then was distracted by the storm and the crashing waves and thunder bolts all around him. And then was when he began to sink like a "Rock". But was it Peter's zealous faith that kept him on top of the water, for a time? Was the faith-filled act to have stepped out of the boat? Maybe Peter could have also shown his faithfulness by staying in the boat... let's explore this "what if?" together.
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33
Song: "God Is Able" written by B. Fielding & R. Morgan; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
About our preacher: Emmy Kegler is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis (gracenempls.org) and the founder and editor of Queer Grace, an encyclopedia of online resources around LGBTQ life and faith (www.queergrace.com). Check out her bio for more info.
Monday Aug 21, 2017
Monday Aug 21, 2017
The woman we meet in the gospel today had no business believing that Jesus would bother to help her in her time of need. Remember that humiliated woman who snuck up behind Jesus just to reach out and touch the hem of his garment? Yeah, this is not that woman! The Canaanite woman we meet today demands a blessing. The disciples are so annoyed they ask Jesus to send her away. But Jesus sees something in this foreign woman in need, something he has been searching for. Something he wants you to have as well.
Scripture: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Matthew 15:10-28
VIDEO: Mark Heyer speaks about the memory of his daughter
Song: "Shelter From The Storm" by Bob Dylan