Login / Signup

David Coffin

David Coffin is pastor of Elgin/Highland Lutheran Parish in Elgin, Iowa. David is a graduate of Ferris State University with a BS degree in printing. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Ohio) and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Winebrenner Seminary. He enjoys bike riding and working with small group ministries. He also eats lots of pizza, so he needs to ride the bike.
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Life Goes On -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- David Coffin -- New Year's Day - C -- 2019
A man in his early sixties sits in front of his television set on New Year’s Eve, while drinking his
Hearing God's Voice -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- David Coffin -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2018
It is a dark, damp, raining Wednesday night in a certain pastor’s church study.
God's Entrance -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- David Coffin -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2018
Another cold, autumn Wednesday evening as the sun sets early and the church council gathers into the
Advent Values -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
It is the end of the year meeting for a ladies church group, who faithfully congregates in the churc
Comfort perspectives -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2018
During the winter months in the Midwest and East Coast USA, churches might see worshipers who are li
Bumps in the Road -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- David Coffin -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
Moving into another state with different levels of road maintenance can result in some unexpected di
Essence of Worship -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 -- David Coffin -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2018
A family is getting ready to send their second child off to the area state University this autumn.
Living Out Our Purpose -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- David Coffin -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2018
The honeymoon is over at a certain church. Reality sets in.
Directions for Life -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38, Psalm 19 -- David Coffin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2018
One of the ripple effects of living in a “Post 911” era is whenever a person hears about a regional
Reason to wake up -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2017
It was one of those rough Fridays that one wishes to forget.
After The Big Event -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
It is about one year after the big 150th anniversary at First Church.
Varying New Life Experiences -- Acts 2:14a; 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
As a pastor and a Christian, I have always found the challenge of “Easter” to be not allowing it to
Spirit Of Life -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- David Coffin -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
Usually we emphasize the spirit around the season of Pentecost.
Inward And Outward Faith -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- David Coffin -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2017
It is the week before “Fat Tuesday,” and a given group of people are gathered in a restaurant, livin
First Encounter -- Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 -- David Coffin -- 2017
A family has recently moved into a community.
Serving What God? -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Coffin -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
How does one preach in the middle of the summer and vacation time, when God is possibly the last thi
Fulfilled Faith Journey -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- David Coffin -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2017
In an effort to challenge my own faith along my spiritual journey, I explored a book about “theodicy
The Delivering God -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- David Coffin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2017
As the school year has begun and the autumn has churches back into their routines, these texts raise
Commitment -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- David Coffin -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2017
A pastor receives a telephone call from a person who is on the church roster, but who rarely attends
How Christ rules -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- David Coffin -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2017
Reign of Christ or Christ the King Sunday lends itself to the narration of stories as to how people
Reframing a narrative of hope -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
“Katharine” sits in her living room easy chair with her laptop, while sipping tea and watching the h
Priority commitments -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2016
One theme of the Epiphany season is coming to the realization of what God is up to in any given comm
Growing in faith -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2016
Growing in faith need not entail giving up chocolate, donuts, or red meat for Lent.
Trustworthy God -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- David Coffin -- Good Friday - C -- 2016
Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked often seem to prosper?

Free Access

Advent Values -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
It is the end of the year meeting for a ladies church group, who faithfully congregates in the churc

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Ron Love
Bethany Peerbolte
For February 17, 2019:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Bob Ove
Jeremiah 17:5-10
On Sunday, August 5, 2012, Garrett Reid killed himself in the dorm room at Lehigh University where the Philadelphia Eagles were holding training camp. Garrett is the oldest son of the Eagles’ head coach Andy Reid. Garrett had a history of drug problems and even spent some time in prison on drug related charges. Andy Reid told the team’s owner that in this difficult situation he would continue to move forward, saying “I’m going to hit that curveball and hit it out of the park.”
Ron L.

* * *
Wayne Brouwer
There is a powerful scene in Robert Bolt’s play A Man for All Seasons. The story is that of Sir Thomas More, loyal subject of the English crown. King Henry VIII wants to change things to suit his own devious plans, so he requires all his nobles to swear an oath of allegiance which violates the conscience of Sir Thomas More before his God. Since he will not swear the oath, More is put in jail. His daughter Margaret comes to visit him. “Meg,” he calls her, with affection. She’s his pride and joy, the one who thinks his thoughts after him.

CSSPlus

“...for power came out of him and healed all of them.” (v. 19b)

Good morning wonderful children,

Thanks for joining me. I am so happy to see you and to talk to you today. Are you ready for a special message I have just for you? (children respond)  Here we go.

Ever heard the word bless?  Like “you are blessed” or “you are my blessing?”(children respond) To be blessed is like goodness coming to you. To be blessed is like getting a gift that makes you happy.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Contents
“A Messianic Message?” by David O. Bales
“Blissful? Agnosticism” by David O. Bales


A Messianic Message?
by David O. Bales
Luke 6:17-26

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
We tend to think of Saints as special holy people who are perhaps not quite real. But in this reading, Jesus makes it clear that those who are very ordinary because they are poor, or hungry, or sad, or otherwise disadvantaged in some way, are especially blessed. This is a story about Casper, who spoke in fun but found his words were taken rather seriously.

SermonStudio

Cynthia E. Cowen
"Louise, can you and Pastor Hal come to Thanksgiving dinner at our house this Friday? I have this really, really big turkey, and I don't want a ton of leftovers," Tracy implored her friend.

"Well, I'd love to, but we always invite a widower, Andy Vespa, each Thanksgiving. I don't want him to be by himself with his pork and beans. Of course, Steve and Vicki will be here, too," Louise replied. "Andy's always been a part of this family gathering."

Special Occasion